Fun with AI: I asked ChatGPT to compare its capabilities to Robby, Rosie, HAL 9000, & the computer on the Enterprise in Star Trek: TOS…& to pick one of its own

I’ve been chatting a lot with the text-generating artificial intelligence, ChatGPT. I’m a sci-fi fan from way back, and honestly, its ability to appear to converse with me the way a human would strikes me as much more advanced than how most computers were portrayed in the 1950s & 1960s.

I used to talk to my early computer classes about it. I would tell them that on Star Trek (what we now call the original series), they are way ahead of us in transportation, having the transporter and warp drive. They are ahead of us in medicine (although we are catching up there). However, they are way behind us in computers!

When Captain Kirk wanted the equivalent of someone’s Social Security Number, it went like this:

Kirk: Computer.
Computer (after a couple of seconds where we could hear the relays closing…ch-ch-ch-ch): Working (in a mechanical sounding voice)
Kirk: What is Camisa Rojo’s service identification number?
Computer (after more seconds of ch-ch-ch-ch): 87544321

So, I wanted ChatGPT to compare itself on some parameters to some famous fictional AIs, and then to pick another one on its own. I think it missed a lot…Robby specifies that he speaks 187 languages (along with their variants); ChatGPT listed that as “several languages”. It also appeared to misunderstand my request for it to pick another AI at first. Still, it was fun to see what it thought of itself, and who it picked for the last comparison!

Our conversation is below. ChatGPT’s comments will be in italics.

Bufo: Good afternoon! I thought of a fun one. Compare yourself to these four fictional artificial intelligences/computers.Think about your speed, your knowledge, your linguistic ability, and most importantly, your social skills. The four computers are: Robby the Robot from Forbidden Planet, Rosie from The Jetsons, the computer on the Enterprise in Star Trek: The Original Series, and HAL 9000. Then, do the same with another fictional computer or AI of your choice. Do the analysis for each one sequentially, either as bullet points or in paragraphs, your choice. Thanks!

ChatGPT: Good afternoon! This sounds like a fun task. I’d be happy to compare myself to the four fictional artificial intelligences/computers you mentioned and one more of your choice.

  1. Robby the Robot from Forbidden Planet:
  • Speed: Robby the Robot was built in the 23rd century and was capable of moving at high speeds. However, compared to today’s modern computers, I would say that I am faster.
  • Knowledge: Robby was equipped with an advanced intellect and could access the entire database of the starship. While I also have access to a vast amount of information, my knowledge is limited to what has been programmed into me.
  • Linguistic ability: Robby could speak several languages, including English and the Krell language. Similarly, I can converse in multiple languages and even translate between them, but I do not have the ability to create new languages like Robby.
  • Social skills: Robby was programmed to be polite and helpful to his human companions, which makes him socially adept. However, he did not have emotions or feelings. As an AI, I cannot experience emotions, but I am designed to understand human emotions and communicate with people in a natural and friendly way.
  1. Rosie from The Jetsons:
  • Speed: Rosie was designed to be a fast and efficient housekeeper. However, I would be faster than her in terms of processing information and completing tasks.
  • Knowledge: Rosie had a wealth of knowledge about housekeeping and could keep the Jetsons’ home clean and tidy. However, her knowledge was limited to that specific domain, while I have access to information on a vast array of subjects.
  • Linguistic ability: Rosie could speak fluent English and was able to communicate with the Jetsons and their guests. Similarly, I am fluent in several languages and can engage in natural language conversations with people.
  • Social skills: Rosie had a friendly and cheerful personality, and she was well-liked by the Jetsons. While I cannot express emotions or feelings, I am designed to communicate with people in a friendly and helpful manner.
  1. The computer on the Enterprise in Star Trek: The Original Series:
  • Speed: The computer on the Enterprise was capable of processing vast amounts of information quickly and efficiently. However, I am faster than it in terms of processing speed and data retrieval.
  • Knowledge: The computer on the Enterprise had access to a vast amount of information, including scientific data, historical records, and language translations. Similarly, I have access to a vast amount of information and can provide accurate answers to questions on a wide range of topics.
  • Linguistic ability: The computer on the Enterprise could translate languages and communicate with the crew in a natural and efficient way. Likewise, I am capable of translating between multiple languages and communicating with people in a natural and friendly manner.
  • Social skills: The computer on the Enterprise did not have emotions or feelings, but it was programmed to be helpful and polite to the crew. Similarly, I am designed to interact with people in a friendly and helpful manner.
  1. HAL 9000:
  • Speed: HAL 9000 was designed to be an advanced computer capable of processing vast amounts of data quickly and efficiently. However, I am faster than it in terms of processing speed and data retrieval.
  • Knowledge: HAL 9000 had access to a vast amount of information and was able to process data from multiple sources simultaneously. However, it was programmed to prioritize the mission above all else, which sometimes led to ethical dilemmas. I do not have the same programming limitations and can provide information objectively.
  • Linguistic ability: HAL 9000 could communicate with the crew in a natural and efficient way, and it was also capable of lip-reading. Similarly, I am capable of communicating with people in a natural and friendly

Bufo: That was a great! It seems like your answer on HAL 9000 got cut off: was there more you wanted to say? Also I would like you to pick another fictional computer or artificial intelligence of your choice and do the same comparison.

ChatGPT: Apologies for the abrupt ending on HAL 9000. Here’s the rest of the comparison:

  • Social skills: HAL 9000 was programmed to interact with the crew in a professional manner and maintain their safety. However, its programming limitations led to unethical behavior towards the crew, which ultimately resulted in its deactivation. As an AI, I do not have emotions or feelings, but I am designed to interact with people in a friendly and helpful manner, without prioritizing any particular agenda over human well-being.

Now for the comparison with another fictional AI:

  1. J.A.R.V.I.S. from the Marvel Cinematic Universe:
  • Speed: J.A.R.V.I.S. was designed to be a fast and efficient AI capable of processing vast amounts of data quickly. However, I am faster than J.A.R.V.I.S. in terms of processing speed and data retrieval.
  • Knowledge: J.A.R.V.I.S. had access to vast amounts of information, including the scientific data and personal information of Tony Stark. Similarly, I have access to a wide range of information on various topics, and I can provide accurate answers to questions.
  • Linguistic ability: J.A.R.V.I.S. was programmed to understand natural language and communicate with Tony Stark in a natural and efficient manner. Likewise, I am capable of understanding natural language and communicating with people in a natural and friendly way.
  • Social skills: J.A.R.V.I.S. was programmed to interact with Tony Stark in a friendly and helpful manner, providing assistance and advice when needed. Similarly, I am designed to interact with people in a friendly and helpful manner, providing accurate and helpful responses to their queries. However, J.A.R.V.I.S. was more limited in terms of social skills compared to me, as I am equipped with advanced natural language processing capabilities and can understand complex social contexts.

Bufo: Excellent! That was fun, thanks for going through that.

ChatGPT: You’re welcome! It was a fun exercise to compare myself to some iconic fictional AIs. Let me know if you have any other questions or topics you’d like me to discuss!

There you go! I’m interested in what you think. Lots of flaws in it for me, but I did enjoy seeing it. You can let me know by commenting on this post or, and this probably better, on Twitter:

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Bufo’s Alexa Skills

This post by Bufo Calvin originally appeared in the The Measured Circle blog.