ChatGPT is a prototype artificial intelligence chatbot developed by OpenAI which specializes in dialogue. The chatbot is a large language model fine-tuned with both supervised and reinforcement learning techniques. It is based on OpenAI’s GPT-3.5 model, an improved version of GPT-3.
ChatGPT was launched on November 30, 2022 and has garnered attention for its detailed responses and articulate answers.
I wanted to see what chatGPT has to say about the metaverse. Here is my conversation with him/her/it:
Me: Can you briefly introduce yourself?
chatGPT: I am an AI assistant trained by OpenAI. I am not a real person, but a computer program designed to answer questions and provide information on a wide range of topics. I do not have a physical form, but exist only as a collection of algorithms and data. I am here to help you with any questions you might have, to the best of my ability.
Me: Hi, how about we talk about the metaverse a bit. Is that ok for you?
chatGPT: Sure! I’d be happy to chat about the metaverse. The term “metaverse” refers to a shared virtual space, often depicted in science fiction, where users can interact with each other and with virtual objects and environments. This concept has been around for many years, and has been explored in various forms of media, such as novels, movies, and video games. It is often seen as a potential future development in the evolution of the internet and digital technologies.
Me: Can you maybe tell me from where the term metaverse originates?
chatGPT: The term “metaverse” was coined by Neal Stephenson in his 1992 novel Snow Crash, where it is used to describe a virtual world where people can interact with each other and with virtual objects and environments. The word “metaverse” is a portmanteau of the prefix “meta,” which means “beyond” or “after,” and “universe,” and so it literally means “beyond the universe.” In the context of the novel, it is used to describe a virtual world that is beyond our own physical universe. Since then, the term has been used more broadly to refer to any shared virtual space, and has become a popular concept in science fiction and technology circles.
Me: Interesting. Does the metaverse already exist? If yes, can you give me an example?
chatGPT: While the concept of a metaverse has been around for many years, and has been explored in various forms of media, it is not yet a reality. There are currently no existing virtual worlds that fully meet the criteria of a true metaverse as it is commonly depicted in science fiction. However, there are some existing virtual platforms and online communities that come close, such as Second Life, which is a virtual world where users can create and interact with virtual objects and environments, and where they can also interact with other users in real time. Other examples include virtual reality gaming platforms, such as the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive, which allow users to immerse themselves in virtual worlds and interact with them in a more realistic way. However, these platforms are still limited in their scope and capabilities, and do not yet fully capture the vision of a true metaverse as it is often depicted in science fiction.
Me: So you mentioned existing virtual reality gaming platforms such as Oculus Rift and HTC Vive are limited in scope and capabilities? Can you elaborate a bit? What is missing?
chatGPT: While existing virtual reality gaming platforms, such as the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive, offer a more immersive and realistic experience than some other virtual platforms, they are still limited in their capabilities and do not yet fully capture the vision of a true metaverse. For example, these platforms are still primarily focused on gaming, and do not offer the same level of social interaction or the ability to create and customize virtual objects and environments that is often associated with the concept of a metaverse. Additionally, these platforms are still relatively new and are not yet widely used, so the communities that have formed around them are relatively small and not as diverse as the communities that would exist in a true metaverse. As a result, the experiences that are currently possible with these platforms do not yet fully capture the potential of a metaverse.
Me: Do you think blockchain technology will play a part in the metaverse?
chatGPT: It is possible that blockchain technology could play a role in the development of the metaverse. Blockchain technology is a distributed, decentralized technology that allows for the secure transfer and storage of data. It has been used primarily for financial transactions, but it has potential applications in many other areas as well. In the context of the metaverse, blockchain technology could potentially be used to manage and secure the vast amounts of data and interactions that would be involved in a shared virtual space. This could include things like managing user identities and accounts, tracking ownership of virtual assets, and enabling secure transactions and exchanges within the metaverse. However, the development of the metaverse is still in its early stages, and it is not yet clear how blockchain technology might be used in this context.
Me: Ok, thanks for the talk!
chatGPT: You’re welcome! I’m glad I could help. Let me know if you have any other questions. I’m here to assist you.
David Furrer (@fulowa on twitter) is a web3 entrepreneur and consultant in the web3 space. He has a background in data analytics and web development. In 2021 he co-founded the analytics platform called NFT OnChained which leverages machine learning to price NFTs.
