Using AI

While I make some short videos to put here, I thought I'd see what kind of advice AI has to offer. Some people think using AI is cheating; I don't. It's a useful tool but you need to double check everything you get from it. I have been using it for historical research on a couple of projects and found very helpful but also challenging. It has given me authorative-looking results that have missed vital information. My advice is mix in traditional research, then challenge the gaps in AI responses.

AI tips

• Always get it to generate its answers at least a couple of times more and then compare them. There maybe extra information included.
• Use more than one AI bot and again compare results. There are quite a lot that use OpenAI GPT3 better known as Chat GPT but under another brand. If I am trying a new one, my first question is to ask it is using for its responses. Just ask: What AI model are you using? Google's Bard is a good alternative at the moment.

AI-suggested writing tip (from Google Bard)

Keep your writing concise and focused

• Choose your words carefully. Use the most precise and specific words possible to convey your meaning.
• Avoid unnecessary words. Every word in your writing should have a purpose. If you can remove a word without changing the meaning of your sentence, do it.
• Use strong verbs. Verbs are the action words in your sentences. Use strong verbs to make your writing more concise and powerful.
• Eliminate redundancies. Don't repeat yourself. If you've already said something, don't say it again.
• Be direct. Don't beat around the bush. Get to the point quickly and clearly.
• Before you start writing, take some time to organise your thoughts. This will help you write more concisely and focused.
• Proofread your work. Once you've finished writing, take some time to proofread your work. This will help you catch any unnecessary words or phrases.