ChatGPT’s 300th Birthday: Wow, that came Swiftly!

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4th Floor Linkway, John Medley Building, University of Melbourne.

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ChatGPT’s 300th Birthday: Wow, that came Swiftly!

Michael Falk (University of Melbourne)

  • Wednesday 16 September, 1.00-2:30pm
  • 4th Floor Linkway, John Medley Building, University of Melbourne

Abstract

300 years ago, Jonathan Swift described a statistical text-generation system remarkably similar to ChatGPT. To mark the 300th birthday of Gulliver’s Travels, I return to Lagado, to inspect the “engine” and consider its relevance today. I formalise the algorithm of Swift’s engine, and demonstrate a live simulation of the device. I sketch some of the context for Swift’s speculations, and explain his critique of text generation and automation more generally.  Unfortunately my conclusion is not very original: this talk, like so many before it, will once again conclude that Swift’s satire is as piquant today as it ever was!

Miachael Falk

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Michael Falk is Senior Lecturer in Digital Studies at the University of Melbourne. He teaches the Digital Studies Minor, and research the connections between literature and AI.