As you may have seen on the news in recent days, an artificial intelligence tool has shaken up the journalistic world. The amazing app can produce nicely written stories in about 10 seconds on most any subject. For example, I asked it:
"Write a 200 word story about a young boy's excitement receiving a Lionel train for Christmas"
The app came back with:
"It was Christmas morning and eight-year-old Jack couldn't contain his excitement as he tore open his presents. He had been begging his parents for a Lionel train set for months and finally, it was under the tree. As he ripped off the wrapping paper, he could hardly believe his eyes. There it was, a shiny new locomotive with a coal tender and passenger cars.
Jack's face lit up with joy as he lifted the train out of the box. He couldn't wait to set it up and make it chug around the tracks. His parents helped him assemble the track and soon, the train was zipping around the living room. Jack laughed with delight as he watched it go.
As the day went on, Jack played with his new train nonstop. He even convinced his little sister to be the conductor and they pretended to go on a long journey together. It was the best Christmas gift Jack had ever received.
That night, as he drifted off to sleep, Jack couldn't stop thinking about his new train. He knew it was a toy, but to him, it represented so much more. It was the gift of imagination and the promise of endless adventures. He couldn't wait to wake up and play with it again."
I also asked for the history of various model train companies
"Prepare a 100 word history of Lionel Trains Corporation"
The app responded:
"Lionel Trains Corporation is a manufacturer of model trains and toy trains that was founded in 1900 by Joshua Lionel Cowen. The company's first product was a battery-powered model train that could be controlled from a distance using a hand-held throttle. Over the years, Lionel has released many different types of model trains and accessories, including electric trains, steam trains, and diesel trains. In the 1960s and 1970s, the company faced financial difficulties and was sold to a series of different owners. Today, Lionel Trains Corporation is owned by Lionel LLC, a company that was formed in 2006 to acquire and operate the Lionel brand. Despite the changes in ownership over the years, Lionel has remained a beloved and respected brand in the world of model trains."
I then asked.
"Write a 100 word history about Mikes Train House (MTH) Corporation"
Answer:
"MTH Electric Trains, also known as Mikes Train House, is a company that designs, manufactures, and sells model trains and accessories. The company was founded in 1979 by Mike Wolf and a group of model train enthusiasts. MTH quickly gained a reputation for producing high-quality, accurate model trains that were perfect for collectors and hobbyists. In the 1990s, the company expanded its product line to include model train accessories, such as buildings, figures, and scenery. Today, MTH is known as one of the leading manufacturers of model trains and accessories, with a wide range of products available for purchase online and in specialty hobby stores."
Some good news for human writers and authors is that the app could not come up with a response for K-Line Trains, and got the history wrong for American Flyer Trains and Williams Trains.
Somehow schools, universities as well as book and magazine publishers will need to acquire some sort of sophisticated software to detect when artificial intelligence is used to create "original" authored works.
The app is ChatGPT.
