CAI establishes center of excellence to support users and explore impact of generative models

In response to the new tool ChatGPT, the CAI of the ZHAW has founded the competence center “GenerativeAI”. The goal of the center is to study the impact of generative models such as ChatGPT on society, to conduct research on and with these models, and to inform and support interested parties and clarify questions or uncertainties.

In recent months, ChatGPT has caused quite a stir. Every day, dozens of articles, blog posts, tweets, etc. discuss the possibilities and limitations of the model. ChatGPT is used to write resumes, fill out exams, create reports, and even create a new operating system. The range of reactions it evokes is immense: from excitement to curiosity to fear. Can it revolutionize everyday life the way the Internet has? How will it change education? What impact will it have on workplaces, writing processes, and society in general? In light of these multifaceted issues, the Center for Artificial Intelligence (CAI) at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) decided to look at the implications of this and other powerful generative models.

To this end, the CAI has formed a new center of excellence, "GenerativeAI", which focuses on ChatGPT and generative models in general. The team is composed of experts in machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision with deep experience in generative models and their evaluation. Team members have already used GPT-3, the predecessor to ChatGPT, for a number of projects, including a natural language interface for a football database, creating images from simple keyword descriptions, and co-authoring an award-winning article on large language models. 

The CAI working group is currently conducting various experiments with ChatGPT and addressing a variety of issues related to its applications in industry, research, or personal use, as well as its potential drawbacks. Some examples of ongoing projects include:

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