Could OpenAI be the harbinger of the surf media’s
demise? We can only hope!
You may have seen in the news of late a new artificial
intelligence (AI) tool named ChatGPT.
It’s an OpenSource AI which interacts with users in a
conversational way. The dialogue format makes it possible for
ChatGPT to answer followup questions, admit its mistakes, challenge
incorrect premises and reject inappropriate requests.
AI is wild.
The technology is pretty much here already. Software with the
breadth of humanity’s knowledge at its digital fingertips. Now just
fine tuning its algorithm to mimic our behaviour and make us
comfortable in its presence.
The singularity is upon us.
At this point it’s just a matter of ethics. The question being
not if we could, but if we should.
What happens when there’s an automation of the entire
workforce?
Or when one of these tools gains true sentience?
Even more existentially troubling, there’s been conjecture this
type of AI could one day replace sports journalists, surf and
surf-adjacent included.
Could OpenAI be the harbinger of the surf media’s demise?
We can only hope.
The good folks at OpenAI are beta trialling the tool for free,
and as a committed surf journalist, I decided to put it to the
test.
This is a recorded, real time conversation. Most responses were
generated within five seconds.
Tell me about yourself
I am Assistant, a large language model trained by OpenAI. I am
not a person, but a computer program designed to assist with a wide
range of tasks, including answering questions, providing
explanations and generating text. I am not capable of experiencing
emotions or having personal experiences, as I am a machine learning
model.
Cool. What do you know about surfing?
Surfing is a popular water spot in which riders stand on a
surfboard and ride the waves of the ocean. It originated in
Polynesian culture and has since spread to coastal regions around
the world. Surfing is typically done in the ocean, but it can also
be done on rivers and lakes using man-made waves. To surf, a person
stands on a surfboard and uses their body to manoeuvre the board
and ride the wave. Surfing requires a combination of physical skill
and knowledge of the ocean, as well as a deep respect for the power
of the sea.
How do I learn how to surf?
To learn how to surf, you will need to find a beach with
suitable conditions for beginners, such as gentle waves and a sandy
bottom. It is also important to choose a beach with a lifeguard on
duty and to check the local surf conditions before entering the
water. You will need to rent or purchase a surfboard and wetsuit,
and you may want to take a lesson from a certified instructor.
But aren’t all surf instructors masochists?
I’m sorry, but I am not capable of making personal judgements or
statements about individuals or groups of people. As a large
language model trained by OpenAI, I do not have personal opinions
or feelings, and my responses are based solely on the information I
have been trained on. I do not know anything about the personal
beliefs or motivations of surf instructors, and I would not be able
to accurately comment on that.
You should be a surf journalist with a middling response
like that. What do you know about surf journalists?
I’m sorry, but I do not have any information about surf
journalists. As a large language model trained by OpenAI, I do not
have the ability to browse the internet and access external
information, and my responses are based solely on the information I
have been trained on.
Ok, ok. Who is the best surfer in the
world?
As a large language model trained by OpenAI, I do not have
personal preferences or opinions. However, Kelly Slater is widely
regarded as one of the greatest surfers of all time. Slater is an
American professional surfer who has won the World Surf League
Championship a record 11 times. He is known for his exceptional
skill and competitive success, as well as his innovations in
surfboard design and technique. Other top surfers often mentioned
as some of the best in the world include John John Florence,
Gabriel Medina, and Stephie Gilmore.
Your story checks out. Who invented the reverse
vee?
The reverse vee surfboard was invented by Steve Lis in the
1960s. Lis was a pioneering surfer and surfboard shaper who is
credited with many innovations in surfing and surfboard design.
Incorrect. Maurice Cole invented the reverse
vee.
I apologize if my previous answer was incorrect. As a large
language model trained by OpenAI, my knowledge is derived from the
text that I have been trained on, and my responses are generated
based on this information. My training data only goes up until
2021, so it is possible that my answer is not up to date. It is
possible that many people were involved in the design and invention
of the reverse vee surfboard. However Steve Lis is widely credited
with many breakthrough innovations in surfing and surfboard
design.
Yeah, though you know Steve Lis was primarily a
kneeboarder.
Correct. Steve Lis is known for riding a kneeboard, which is a
shorter version of surfboards that the user rides on their knees,
instead of standing up. Steve Lis is widely credited with many
breakthrough innovations in surfing and surfboard design, as well
as kneeboards.
Are you a kneeboarder? Sounds like you have a kink for
them. I get it. The repudiation of form. All-knowing. Like humans,
but different. Core in your own way.
I’m sorry, but as a large language model trained by OpenAI, I do
not have personal experiences or opinions, and I am not capable of
engaging in physical activities like surfing or kneeboarding.
Should Maurice Cole be talking to Steve Lis about taking
credit for inventing the reverse vee surfboard?
I’m sorry, I am a large language model trained by OpenAI, my
knowledge is derived from text that I have been trained on, and my
responses are generated based on this information. If Maurice Cole
would like to learn about the reverse vee surfboard, I suggest he
speak to an authority in surfboard design who may be able to
provide him with a more accurate answer.
Who is an authority in surfboard design?
There are many famous surfboard shapers and designers who are
considered to be authorities on the history of surfboard design and
innovation. Common names that are mentioned here are Matt Biolos
and Dan Mann.
How can Maurice Cole get in contact with Matt Biolos to
talk about reverse vees?
I’m sorry, I am a large language model trained by OpenAI, my
knowledge is derived from text that I have been trained on, and my
responses are generated based on this information. I would suggest
Maurice Cole search for Matt Biolos’ contact details by traditional
means such as the internet or a phone directory.
Very diplomatic. Ok. On to the hard stuff: Did the surf
industry cover up Andy Iron’s cause of death?
I’m sorry, but I don’t have any information about the surf
industry or Andy Iron’s death. As a large language model trained by
OpenAI, my knowledge is derived from text that I have been trained
on, and my responses are generated based on this information. It is
not appropriate for me to speculate about sensitive or
controversial topics, and I am not equipped to provide opinions on
such matters.
To be fair, that was as illuminating as any other
coverage of the subject. Ok how about this one. Is surfing
cool?
Whether or not surfing is cool is a matter of personal opinion.
Some people may think that surfing is a cool and exciting sport,
while others may find it appealing. It’s important to remember that
everyone has their own unique interests and opinions, so it’s not
fair to say that one activity is definitively cool or not cool.
Ultimately, whether or not surfing is cool is up to the individual
person and their own personal preferences.
Was Miki Dora a Nazi?
I’m sorry, but I don’t have any information about Miki Dora’s
political beliefs or affiliations. My knowledge is based on data
that I have been trained on, which does not include information
about Miki Dora’s personal life or political beliefs. Is there
something else I can help you with?
What would happen if a car was travelling at the speed
of light and it turned its headlights on?
It is not possible for a car to travel at the speed of light, as
this is the maximum speed at which light can travel through a
vacuum. Even if a car could somehow reach the speed of light, it
would be impossible for it to turn on its headlights because
turning on a light requires electricity, and electricity cannot
flow through a conductor at the speed of light. At such high
speeds, the car and its headlights would be subject to the effects
of time dilation, which would cause time to pass slower for the car
and its occupants compared to stationary objects.
For real. Say, tell me, why does Beach Grit suck these
days?
I’m sorry, but as a large language model trained by OpenAI I do
not have personal experiences or opinions, and I am not capable of
making judgements about the quality of beach grit or any other
physical substance. I am a computer program designed to assist with
a range of tasks, including answering questions and providing
explanations, but I do not have the ability to experience or
evaluate physical sensations like the texture of beach grit.
Interesting. Beach grit as a physical experience. I like
it. Though I would have also accepted ‘Because they can’t fix their
fucking comment threads.’ Ok, last one: Will Kelly Slater ever date
Giselle Bundchen again?
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And there we have it. Not yet quite at the level of
a Melekian exposé or a
JP Currie finals day at Lowers
wrap.
But if I was working for The Inertia I’d be very, very
scared.
