Renowned physicist Michio Kaku has expressed skepticism towards chatbots like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, stating that they are nothing more than “glorified tape recorders.” In an interview with CNN, Kaku remarked that these chatbots simply aggregate snippets of information from the internet, making it appear as though they have generated the response themselves. While some people may perceive them as humanlike, Kaku emphasized that chatbots lack the ability to differentiate between true and false statements unless this capability is manually programmed by a human.
Kaku further discussed the evolution of computers, highlighting that humanity is currently in its second stage. The first stage, known as the analog stage, involved computing with physical tools such as sticks, stones, gears, and pulleys. The advent of electricity-powered transistors during World War II marked a shift towards the digital landscape that we know today, which relies on binary notation composed of zeros and ones.
However, Kaku believes that the next stage of computer evolution will be in the realm of quantum computing. Quantum computing utilizes the different states of particles like electrons to significantly enhance processing power. Instead of limiting itself to binary states, quantum computers leverage various states of vibrating waves, enabling them to analyze and solve complex problems more efficiently. Kaku also noted that quantum computing could have significant implications for healthcare, specifically in advancing the understanding and treatment of diseases at the molecular level, such as cancer, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Overall, Kaku’s remarks shed light on the limitations of current chatbot technology while highlighting the potential advantages of quantum computing for various industries, particularly healthcare. As we continue to delve deeper into the quantum realm, the possibilities for groundbreaking advancements in computing and science seem increasingly promising.