Will artificial intelligence put me out of a job writing about motorcycles?

What is ChatGPT? It's a chat bot created by an artificial intelligence research and development firm called OpenAI. To get more detail, I asked ChatGPT to tell me in its own words what it is. It instantly spit out this response:

"ChatGPT is a chatbot that uses the GPT-3 (Generative Pretrained Transformer 3) language model, which is a state-of-the-art natural language processing (NLP) model developed by OpenAI. GPT-3 is known for its ability to generate human-like text that is coherent and appropriate for a given context. The use of GPT-3 in a chatbot allows it to generate responses to user messages in real-time, making it seem like a human is conversing with the user. ChatGPT is likely used for a variety of applications, such as providing customer support, answering questions, or engaging in conversation with users."

Sounds plausibly like a human wrote that response, right? Since ChatGPT is free and open to use by anyone in its current development stage, lots of people have been trying it to see how it performs. It's been asked to write poems that sound like Shakespeare, jingles for breakfast cereal, papers on various topics for college classes (naturally), and everything else.

OpenAI knows ChatGPT is far from perfected and may provide incorrect information. But the chat bot is pretty good at sounding like a human.

Which raises the inevitable question: How long until it replaces us? Or, in my case, how long until AI puts me out of a job writing about motorcycles? I decided to find out.

ChatGPT writes for Common Tread — sort of

It's no secret that two kinds of articles are the reliable standbys on motorcycle web sites like Common Tread: news about what's happening in the world of motorcycles and reviews of new motorcycles. So I decided to see if ChatGPT could write those.

If you saw my recent report on Harley-Davidson ending production of the Evolution-engine Sportster after 37 years, you know it drew a lot of readers and comments. So I decided to see if ChatGPT was up to date on the news and could handle that story.

Q: Is Harley-Davidson still producing the Sportster with the Evolution engine?

ChatGPT response: As a large language model trained by OpenAI, I do not have the ability to browse the internet or access current information about specific motorcycles or their production status. My knowledge is limited to the text that I was trained on, which means that I may not have the most up-to-date information about the current production status of specific motorcycles. I would recommend checking with Harley-Davidson directly or consulting other sources for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

OK, so news is out. What about a review? Andy's review of the Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello was another particularly popular recent article here.

Q: Is the Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello a good motorcycle?

ChatGPT response: I'm sorry, but I am not able to browse the internet or access information about specific motorcycles. I am a large language model trained by OpenAI, and my knowledge is limited to the text that I was trained on. I can answer general questions about motorcycles, but I am not able to provide information about specific makes and models.

OK, fair enough. You can't be expected to evaluate a motorcycle you haven't ridden, anyway. So let's try something along the lines of "general questions about motorcycles." Some of our most popular stories have been about riding tips, such as "The 10 most common mistakes street riders make."

Q: What are the most common mistakes motorcycle riders make when riding on the street?

ChatGPT response: There are many mistakes that motorcycle riders can make when riding on the street. Some of the most common mistakes include:

• Not maintaining a proper lookout for other vehicles, pedestrians, and obstacles.
• Riding while distracted, such as by using a cell phone or other device.
• Riding while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
• Failing to properly signal turns or lane changes.
• Riding at excessive speeds or in a reckless manner.
• Not wearing protective gear, such as a helmet and other protective clothing.

These mistakes can lead to serious accidents and injuries, and it is important for motorcycle riders to be aware of them and take steps to avoid them.

You can't really argue with ChatGPT's advice, but our article written by a human expert had more useful detail, such as looking through turns and avoiding car drivers' blind spots.

I thought maybe I could reduce my work load by having ChatGPT write some maintenance articles for Common Tread, so I asked it to provide tips for changing the oil in a motorcycle, a topic every motorcycle web site writes about and we've written about more than once (how-to and tips). ChatGPT spit out a step-by-step list that was short on the kinds of details you'd find in our pieces written by expert Ari Henning, but there was nothing incorrect. So I upped the difficulty level one step.

Q: How do you change the tire on a motorcycle?

ChatGPT response: To change the tire on a motorcycle, you will need the following tools and materials:

• A new tire of the appropriate size and type for your motorcycle.
• A tire iron or lug wrench to remove the wheel from the motorcycle.
• A tire jack or stand to support the motorcycle while the tire is changed.
• A valve stem tool to remove the valve stem from the wheel.
• A compressor or hand pump to inflate the new tire.

Here are the steps for changing the tire on a motorcycle:

1. Place the motorcycle on a level surface and engage the side stand or center stand, if it has one.
2. Use the tire iron or lug wrench to loosen the wheel lugs or bolts that secure the wheel to the motorcycle.
3. Use a tire jack or stand to support the motorcycle while the wheel is removed.
4. Once the wheel is loose, remove it from the motorcycle and place it on a clean, flat surface.
5. Use the valve stem tool to remove the valve stem from the wheel.
6. Use the tire iron or lug wrench to pry the old tire away from the wheel and remove it.
7. Install the new tire on the wheel, making sure that it is seated properly and aligned correctly.
8. Use the compressor or hand pump to inflate the tire to the recommended pressure.
9. Reinstall the wheel on the motorcycle, making sure that the wheel lugs or bolts are tightened to the proper torque specification.
10. Check the wheel for proper alignment and balance, and make any necessary adjustments.

It is important to consult your motorcycle's owner's manual for specific instructions and torque specifications, as these can vary depending on the make and model of your motorcycle. Changing a motorcycle tire can be a challenging task, and it is recommended to seek the help of a trained professional if you are unsure about how to do it properly.

I think that revealed ChatGPT's current limits on maintenance advice. For example, you're going to need more than one tire iron (and no tips on how to do that most difficult part of the process) and it's going to be impossible for you to balance the wheel after you mount it on the motorcycle.

Like news and reviews, ChatGPT can't provide racing coverage or analysis, I discovered.

Q: Why did Pecco Bagnaia win the 2022 MotoGP championship instead of Fabio Quartararo?

ChatGPT response: As a large language model trained by OpenAI, I do not have the ability to browse the internet or access current information about specific motorcycle racing events or championships. My knowledge is limited to the text that I was trained on, which means that I may not have the most up-to-date information about the winners of specific championships or races. I would recommend checking with a reputable source for the most accurate and up-to-date information about the winners of motorcycle racing championships.

Right, I forgot. Have to stick to "general questions about motorcycles."

Q: Name three great places to go on a motorcycle trip.

ChatGPT response: There are many great places to go on a motorcycle trip, and the best destinations will vary depending on personal preferences and interests. Some possible options for a motorcycle trip include:

• The Pacific Coast Highway in California, which offers scenic views of the ocean and beautiful coastal cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles.
• The Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia and North Carolina, which offers stunning views of the Appalachian Mountains and a wide range of outdoor activities.
• The Great River Road along the Mississippi River, which passes through a variety of landscapes, from rolling hills and forests to bustling cities and small towns.

These are just a few examples of the many great destinations for a motorcycle trip. Other possibilities could include scenic routes through the Rocky Mountains, the deserts of the Southwest, or the forests and lakes of the Northeast.

Hmmm, not a lot of hidden gems on that list. So what about the kind of question that might be asked by a non-rider or a prospective rider, the kind of person who doesn't yet have a list of favorite motorcycle web sites to consult?

Q: Are motorcycles dangerous or fun?

ChatGPT response: Motorcycles can be both dangerous and fun, depending on how they are used and ridden. Riding a motorcycle can be a thrilling and exhilarating experience, but it also carries a significant risk of accidents and injuries. In order to enjoy the fun of riding a motorcycle, it is important to also take steps to ensure safety, such as by wearing protective gear, maintaining the motorcycle properly, and riding responsibly.

So there you have it. ChatGPT sounds rather polished and provided motorcycle information that wasn't really wrong but was too shallow to be of much use. Of course we're still at the beginning of this whole AI thing. Will I make it to retirement age before ChatGPT's descendants put me out of a job? I'm pretty confident I will. Will young Andy Greaser make it to retirement before a machine makes him obsolete? I don't know about that.