Essential ChatGPT Skills

ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot powered by OpenAI’s large language models (LLMs). It has redefined AI capabilities, demonstrating that machines can grasp the complexities of human language and understand context, connotation, and humor. Explore the world of ChatGPT and deepen your understanding of the skills required to utilize the tool successfully. 

Core competencies in using ChatGPT

ChatGPT demonstrates exceptional conversational skills and a range of expertise across various fields. It performs various capabilities when conversing with humans by implementing natural language processing (NLP) and developing effective responses through evaluation. 

Natural language processing

NLP is a sector of artificial intelligence (AI) that utilizes machine learning to enable computers to communicate with and comprehend human language. NLP integrates statistical modeling, machine learning, deep learning, and computational linguistics to enable computers and devices to recognize, interpret, and process text and speech. 

Crafting effective prompts

Prompt engineering refers to the process of formulating and developing prompts to advise a language model’s responses. Steps for crafting effective prompts include: 

• Give ChatGPT a persona: Tailors responses to specific audiences 

• Add boundaries: Helps determine segments of text

• Provide step-by-step instructions: Improves ability to solve complex problems 

• Provide examples: Determines context and helps implement the task 

Evaluating response quality

Iterative refinement refers to the process of the user evaluating the quality of the chat’s response. AI trainers start with an initial prompt, review the response, and refine the prompt based on the output by adjusting the wording and adding more context when necessary. OpenAI, the AI research and deployment company that trained the ChatGPT model, allows you to improve the chatbot’s responses by liking or disliking any given response. This feedback provides AI trainers with insight into the quality of the chatbot’s response. 

Technical skills

ChatGPT has various technical skills, including application programming interface (API) and statistical and data integration. 

ChatGPT API

An API utilizes software to determine how two applications communicate with each other. A variety of APIs are available to you within ChatGPT, including: 

• Chat completions API: Allows the AI to generate text in response to the user’s input 

• Realtime API: Enables the AI to respond to speech inputs and implement voice activation detection 

• Assistants API: Enables the user to create their own AI assistant 

• Batch API: Allows users to integrate large amounts of data into one file 

Programming knowledge for integration

ChatGPT’s knowledge is programmed utilizing data from the internet, and statistical models learned during training. The data in the chat encompasses information from millions of web pages, while the statistics reflect the interpretation of context and the probability of words occurring together. 

Creative skills

ChatGPT possesses a variety of creative skills, including the development of engaging conversational flows and the enhancement of the user’s experience. 

Developing engaging conversational flows

Human trainers implement conversations and rank ChatGPT's responses, which helps the model determine the most engaging conversational flows. Users can choose the best response by voting and providing additional written feedback to train the chatbot. 

Read more: How To Write ChatGPT Prompts: Your Guide

Enhancing user experience with ChatGPT

ChatGPT enhances the user’s experience by its ability to recall context within its conversation with the user, enabling follow-up corrections. It is also trained to decline inappropriate suggestions or questions. 

Analytical skills

ChatGPT visualizes data sets using Python NLP libraries. Fluently interpreting user feedback is a key analytical skill that ChatGPT is trained in with the help of human AI trainers. 

Read more: AI in Analytics: Examples, Benefits, and Real-World Use Cases

Interpreting user feedback

AI trainers have conversations with the chat to sample responses and then rank each response based on quality and interpretability. ChatGPT collects comparison data based on the AI trainer’s feedback, ranking outputs from best to worst and then utilizing that data to update and train the model. 

Data analysis 

ChatGPT utilizes NLP libraries, such as Matplotlib, to create static and interactive charts to interpret data and pandas better to analyze data. The chat processes data by analyzing example data sets and interpreting NLP questions and written code to generate new code, enabling it to perform comprehensive data analysis. 

Identifying and addressing limitations

While ChatGPT offers numerous advantages, it also has various limitations, such as: 

• Hallucinations: This refers to the generation of unsupported or false information, a widespread concern in using chatbots.

• Limited comprehension: ChatGPT doesn’t fully grasp the complexity of human language, so some responses may lack proper insight. 

• Lack of citations: The chatbot doesn’t offer citations for sources after providing information. 

• Miscommunication: ChatGPT may occasionally misinterpret questions, leading to an irrelevant response. 

Iterations of ChatGPT

ChatGPT has evolved immensely since its first iteration. The chatbot had three iterations before its current version, GPT–4o. The most current model is better at understanding and following user instructions, is less likely to provide harmful responses, provides more reliable information, and is better at adapting its behavior to the user. 

Get started with ChatGPT by utilizing it for free via OpenAI. The free iteration of ChatGPT includes:

• Standard voice mode

• Limited access to file uploads, data analysis, web browsing, and image generation

• Utilize custom GPTs 

ChatGPT Plus is available for $20 per month. This iteration levels up productivity with expanded access and includes:  

• Expansion of messaging, file uploads, data analysis, and image generation

• Standard and advanced voice mode

• Opportunity to test new features 

• Create custom GPTs

ChatGPT Pro is available for $200 per month, the highest level of access. This version includes: 

• Unlimited access to GPT–4o, o1, and advanced voice mode

• Access to o1 pro mode, which implements the best answers to complex questions 

Explore more about ChatGPT

OpenAI provides an overview of how to utilize ChatGPT in various iterations, including writing, summarizing, generating, and debugging code, learning new APIs, and answering complex questions.

Discover ChatGPT through Coursera

ChatGPT offers a wide range of opportunities for data analysis and information learning. Expand your understanding of ChatGPT’s prompt engineering on Coursera with Vanderbilt University’s Prompt Engineering Specialization, or develop your AI skills with IBM's AI Foundations for Everyone Specialization. Upon completing either program, gain in-demand AI skills to enhance your productivity with Chat GPT.