GD/WAT Topic: Chat GPT- A Threat to Human Jobs or Tool towards Excellence?

There have been a lot of theories about Chat GPT. The irony is that few of the theorists would actually be even aware of the full form of this chatbot. Let’s explore it as a GD/WAT topic for MBA admission.

By Aritro Dasgupta

There are several major trending topics that business schools are currently exploring, to test students for the WAT (Written Ability Test) or GD (Group Discussion) rounds. Some of these topics are in fact replicable. The same topic could broadly be posed for a GD somewhere, and a WAT somewhere else. The applicability of those topics remains similar, as do their basic fault-lines. But this replicability will be seriously tested if the topic on Chat GPT is posed to the students. This is quite a technical topic, so requires thorough understanding, and the space to express one’s views. So, ideally this topic has to be included under WAT and not a GD.

There have been a lot of theories about Chat GPT. The irony is that few of the theorists would actually be even aware of the full form of this chatbot. Students aspiring to a seat at any of the leading business schools in India, cannot make that mistake. Launched by OpenAI in November last year, the full form of GPT is Generative Pre-Trained Transformer. It is possibly the most versatile and ‘intelligent’ bot ever created in human history. Challenges abound, but as of now it seeks set to transform the world of business. It has the unique ability to replicate a lot of human thinking, so that humans do not need to engage in repetitive patterns.

During the WAT round, the candidate has the freedom to explore the broader aspects of a topic. One need not get bogged down in to discussions on small areas as often happens the case during a GD. Cross- talk is also saved, and there is lesser chance of deviating from the topic. Chat GPT is one that requires a through understanding and subsequent discussion, to put forward one’s points. The amount of data that has been fed into the memory of the Chat GPT is truly vast. There are already fears among several tech companies on how this open resource bot could play havoc with their existing business plans.

When a student attempts the WAT, it is advisable that he/ she divides the article into four paragraphs. The first and the last paragraphs could be shorter, with the middle two being the meaty parts. The first one could be generic and even some flowery language could be used. This is because one is merely introducing the topic here, and not delving in great detail. It is in the second para that the writer needs to put forth the points in detail, and describe the topic. The right facts and figures must support the arguments put forth. The third para should comprise of recommendations. This one must be on similar lines as per length as the second one.

The last paragraph must conclude the topic. Like the first one, this too could be somewhat generic and the language used may be flowery. Students must be well-versed on the topics to be able to support their claims. A student may take either side of the argument, as long as the right logic is used to support the points. Data must be referenced from leading national or international newspapers, credible websites, government publications, and research papers. The topic of Chat GPT too requires through authentication.

Chat GPT- A Threat to Human Jobs or Tool towards Excellence?

Let us below understand some of the key points in favour of the use of ChatGPT and some against it.

Tool towards Excellence

A few pros for the chatbot are as follows:

1. It can perform all repetitive tasks, thus freeing up humans to take care of the creative tasks.
2. The pace of human learning can quicken exponentially.
3. For academicians in particular, this chatbot can boost the productivity by creating content.
4. Being an open software, ChatGPT is not owned by any of the traditional large tech companies, and thus usable by billions of people around the globe.
5. It can help predict human behaviours, and thus help companies tackle a lot of business cycle concerns.

Threat to Human Jobs

Some of the cons may be as follows:

1. Repetitive jobs make up a huge portion of existing human jobs, so if they are eliminated, a disproportionate number of people will get unemployed.
2. With layoffs in the tech industry already soaring, this can further accentuate the process, as many of those companies seem fearful of this bot.
3. The creative jobs that may not be available, cannot be availed by all, but only a handful, as a lot of financial investment is also needed for the same.
4. Academicians have flagged off several threats, such as the possibility of students getting their assignments made by this bot, and plagiarising content.
5. Several security experts have pointed out, about how malware and other threats could be created using this.
6. In his seminal book titled Homo Deux, the Israeli writer Yuval Noah Harari makes this seemingly outlandish claim on how human essentiality will be deeply challenged by the super- robots of the oncoming era. Chat GPT could be just the start of this process.

It will be advisable for students to read up not just on ChatGPT but also on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the impact of automation overall. They need to understand the kind of impact that the business world and human essentiality is already facing on top of which this has arrived. They could give examples from other automated tools and software that have either rendered scores of people jobless, or failed in doing so. Humans have a tendency of overcoming obstacles. Even when the first computers came on board, there was a major fear of the loss of human jobs. But instead, a whole new branch of study and work emerged. Right now, the general hope and feeling is that something similar will also happen in the near future where we can live in tandem with our robots.

About the Author:

Aritro Dasgupta is a Teacher, Trainer and Content Writer. He has taught at several leading colleges and coaching institutes in both India and the UAE. Several of his students have finished in the top 10 of various national level exams such as CLAT, AILET and DUJAT. He is also a prolific content writer, having written for several leading publications in India, while currently, also working for one in the USA.

 

 

 

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