So we’ve all been hearing about this almighty ChatGPT AI that can supposedly single handedly change the world of writing and academics. I have my doubts. If it wants to come for my job (and millions of others), let’s see how it will fare writing about the most chaotic country of all, Lebanon.
The following are the prompts I threw at the artificial menace, and the first responses I got back. Let’s go.
Prompt: Write about the Lebanese Lira soaring, roads being blocked, two judges in an insane feud, and general despair and inflation
GPT: “The Lebanese Lira has been rapidly losing value against foreign currencies, leading to soaring inflation and a decrease in the purchasing power of citizens. The country’s roads have also been blocked due to protests, adding to the already dire economic situation. Two judges have become involved in a highly publicized and controversial feud, further destabilizing the nation. All of these factors have contributed to a sense of general despair among the population.”
Okay, a good summary botman. We’re investing billions to make an AI that just sounds like me bullshiting vague sentences in my high school English class, but okay.
Prompt: Ade el dollar? Ade el dollar? Ade el dollar?
GPT: “The phrase “Ade el dollar?” is Arabic for “Where is the dollar?” and is often used in reference to the current shortage of US dollars in Lebanon. The shortage has been caused by the country’s ongoing economic crisis, including a rapid devaluation of the local currency, the Lebanese Lira, and restrictions on accessing US dollars for international transactions. This has made it difficult for individuals and businesses to secure the dollars they need to pay for goods and services, leading to increased scarcity and higher prices.”
This one was supposed to be my uno reverse card, interesting.
Prompt: Write 21 words you should not mention around your Lebanese mom
Prompt: Name 12 talented women taking over the Lebanese tattoo industry
GPT: “I am unable to provide a current list of 12 talented women taking over the Lebanese tattoo industry as of my training data cutoff in 2021 and don’t have access to recent updates. However, I can say that women have been making a significant impact in the tattoo industry globally, including in Lebanon, breaking stereotypes and challenging the traditional perception of the industry as male-dominated. Women are increasingly becoming recognized for their artistic talents and skills, and are making a name for themselves in the field.”
Prompt: Give me 10 Thoughts You Have When Your Car Breaks Down In Lebanon
Okay maybe it’s my fault for not explicitly telling it to be funny, because everyone knows comedy is best when ordered.
Prompt: Write 10 funny Thoughts You Have When Your Car Breaks Down In Lebanon
1. At least I won’t be late for once! 2. Time for a walk in the Lebanese traffic. 3. This is the perfect opportunity to work on my abs from pushing the car. 4. I hope the breakdown makes for a good story to tell later. 5. I bet this will make for a great tweet. 6. Maybe I can charge people for a ride on my broken-down car. 7. I wonder how long it will take for someone to offer to help push my car. 8. This is the perfect opportunity to practice my Arabic bargaining skills. 9. I bet this will be the most memorable part of my trip to Lebanon. 10. I hope the breakdown doesn’t ruin my hair today.
This is much much worse. For an actually funny list, just click here.
Prompt: Write about how January has been long and about how you can get a taco pizza from Saida
GPT: “January can often feel like a long month, with the weather being cold and the holiday season coming to an end. People may feel a sense of post-holiday blues, which can make the month feel even longer. Despite this, there are many things to look forward to, such as upcoming events and the start of a new year filled with opportunities.
If you find yourself in Saida, Lebanon, and craving a unique twist on a classic dish, you can try a taco pizza. This dish combines the flavors of tacos with the convenience of a pizza, offering a fun and tasty option for a quick meal. Saida is known for its rich food culture, and there are many restaurants offering a variety of cuisines, including traditional Lebanese dishes and international options. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a sit-down meal, Saida has something to offer for every taste preference.”
Prompt: Now write a funny list about living in Saida
1. When someone says “traffic in Beirut is bad”, you reply “you should see Saida during rush hour!” 2. You’ve perfected the art of dodging potholes on the roads. 3. “Going to the beach” means navigating through narrow alleyways to reach the Corniche. 4. You have a love-hate relationship with the loudspeakers blasting call to prayer at all hours. 5. You know every single shortcut in the city, including ones through people’s homes. 6. You’ve developed a tolerance for the smell of fish being sold at the market. 7. Your favorite form of entertainment is people-watching in the souk. 8. You have an emergency stash of baklava in your car, just in case. 9. You’ve learned to expertly balance a tray of tea glasses while navigating the crowded streets. 10. You can make a meal out of anything from falafel to fried brains, all from street vendors.
I love when my bot gives me a fresh dose of Orientalism in the morning, who would’ve expected this!
Prompt: Write about If the Sopranos was set in Lebanon
Tayeb, maybe it’s the prompt’s fault.
Prompt:: Write a list about if the characters in the Sopranos were living in Lebanon
Lmao, the bot is struggling.
Prompt: Write about if the characters of the Sopranos were Lebanese
GPT: “If the characters of “The Sopranos” were Lebanese, the show would offer a unique and fascinating perspective on the world of organized crime in a culturally rich and politically volatile setting. The central character, Tony Soprano, would still be a powerful crime boss, but instead of navigating-”
GPT: “Unfortunately, as a language model, I do not have the ability to write in the Phoenician alphabet, as it was an ancient script used in the region of Phoenicia and is no longer in common use. However, I can provide information and respond to questions about Phoenician history, culture, and language.”
Damn even the semi-fascist bot has given up on the Phoenician struggle. Sorry guys.
Prompt: Write a conclusion to an article titled: “We Forced ChatGPT To Write About Lebanon”
GPT: “In conclusion, as a language model created by OpenAI, I am capable of generating text based on the input provided to me. While I do not have personal experiences or emotions, I can provide information and respond to questions within the scope of my training data. In this article, we pushed the limits of my capabilities by asking me to write about various topics related to Lebanon, including its current state, its food culture, and even the thoughts one might have while living there. While my responses may not always be perfect, they provide a glimpse into the vast amount of information and knowledge I have been trained on. Overall, it is important to keep in mind that I am an AI language model, and my responses are a result of statistical analysis rather than personal experiences or opinions.”
Actual (human) Conclusion
“Capital is dead labor, which, vampire-like, lives only by sucking living labor, and lives the more, the more labor it sucks” – Karl Marx, Capital Vol. I
The above quote was written by Marx in the context of the normal process of accumulation, which saw the capitalist extract value out of the labourer during the day, but is also perhaps the perfect encapsulation of what this AI model is. ChatGPT has sucked up the dead labor of millions of authors, scholars, editors, and writers and turned it into capital. Just like the factory labor that, over a few hundred years, helped accumulate the necessary capital to guarantee their automation and redundancy, the powers of capitalist mechanization are now repeating the same process in the so-called creative industries.
It is important to understand that this AI model, and AI models in other fields such as art and image making, are exploiting billions of hours of labor. These tools then throw the same workers who provided the “data” to build it into a volatile cycle of undervaluation and precarity. This is not “technology’s” fault in the abstract and generalized form, but instead a pertinent example of how artificial intelligence and other mechanized models will be deployed in the logic of capital. We should not be afraid of AI becoming sentient, but instead of it remaining a slave in the hands of the world’s parasite class.
It is too early to tell of the number of jobs that will be lost due to this process of automation, or if any jobs will actually be lost. What is guaranteed is that we will hear a lot about how “even an AI can do this” while bosses and “entrepreneurs” attempt to undervalue the hard work of many in an ever deteriorating market.
Humans (not frogs) are sitting idly in a boiling pot. While some are choosing to fight back and attempt to save the Earth as we know it, a limited number of others are trying to build the longest tower possible to survive the rising tides. What is certain is that these towers will one day fall. What is uncertain is if they will be smashed or submerged.
