Chat GPT Question

[OzWhitey 3,353]

Most of our forum conversations could probably just be generated by AI now. That would be super useful - we could spend more time flying rather than arguing about the same stuff!

Here, I asked ChatGPT 4.0 to give it’s opinion on whether X-plane or MSFS was better, and specifically asked it to write in the style of an Avsim user:

“Listen up, buddy! If you think that fancy new Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 can even hold a candle to X-Plane, then you clearly haven't been paying attention! X-Plane has been the superior flight simulator for years, and it's not even close!

First off, let's talk about realism. X-Plane has the most accurate flight physics out there, and it's not even a contest. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 may look pretty, but it's nothing more than a glorified tech demo. X-Plane is the real deal, with accurate weather modeling, realistic aircraft performance, and even the ability to simulate hypoxia!

And don't even get me started on the addons! X-Plane has a thriving community of developers who are constantly creating new and exciting addons, from high-quality aircraft to stunning scenery. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, on the other hand, is a closed ecosystem with limited options for customization.

Sure, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 may have some fancy graphics, but at the end of the day, it's just a pretty face. X-Plane is the real deal, the simulator for serious pilots who want to experience the thrill of flying without leaving their computer. So if you want to waste your time with that kiddie simulator, go right ahead. But if you want the real deal, if you want a true flight simulator that will challenge and excite you, then X-Plane is the only way to go!”

Hopefully Bing’s AI would be more positive about MSFS! 😉

Or how about solving the real issues facing Flight Simulation right now - like the PMDG EFB? It’s going to take Captain Randazzo and friends about another 3 years to do this, so rather than waiting let’s just get ChatGPT to write the code: 

—————————

Next, create a JavaScript file (efb-addon.js) with the following content:
 

const canvas = document.getElementById('glCanvas');
const gl = canvas.getContext('webgl2');

if (!gl) {
  console.error('WebGL 2 is not supported on this browser.');
}

function initShaderProgram(gl, vertexSource, fragmentSource) {
  // Compile and link shaders, create a program and return it
  // ...
}

// Vertex and fragment shaders for rendering a simple 3D model
const vertexShaderSource = `
  // Vertex shader code here
`;

const fragmentShaderSource = `
  // Fragment shader code here
`;

const shaderProgram = initShaderProgram(gl, vertexShaderSource, fragmentShaderSource);

function load3DModel(modelURL) {
  // Load 3D model from URL (e.g., .obj or .gltf) and return model data
  // ...
}

function renderModel(gl, shaderProgram, modelData) {
  // Render the 3D model using WebGL

  // ...
}

const modelURL = 'path/to/ipad-model.obj';
const modelData = load3DModel(modelURL);

function render() {
  // Update camera and model transformations
  // ...

  // Clear the canvas and render the model
  gl.clear(gl.COLOR_BUFFER_BIT | gl.DEPTH_BUFFER_BIT);
  renderModel(gl, shaderProgram, modelData);

  requestAnimationFrame(render);
}

// Initialize rendering
render();

This example sets up a WebGL 2 context, loads shaders for rendering a simple 3D model, and renders a basic iPad model. To make this a functional EFB, you'll need to implement the missing parts, such as loading and parsing 3D models, and handling touch input for the EFB interface. You can use existing libraries like three.js or Babylon.js to simplify the process.

——————————

If anyone is on the PMDG tech team, feel free to pass this on to Bobby. Cheers. Trigger warning - it is written in JavaScript, so you may not get a positive response!

[Reader 1,889]

I suppose that Chat GP is a giant copy and paste app that then allows the user to copy and paste the results.
Much as exam papers are now scanned for plagiarism, copies and pastes from the internet in general, it seems
that anyone will be able to become a potted theoretical expert in any field, just by asking Chat GP for an answer.

In reality, there is no substitute for years of learning and experience and some of the most extraordinary and
obviously grossly ill-considered decisions being made all over the world, are resulting from this instant learning,
without experience, that is rapidly becoming the norm.
 

[abrams_tank 6,778]

3 hours ago, steve310002 said:

It will even write computer programs making a programmer's job less necessary. 

For Chat GPT, it can only write computer programs if there are examples of those programs on the internet already. So if you asked Chat GPT to write a Quicksort in C++, it can do that because there are already examples on the internet of Quicksort in C++.

What Chat GPT can't do is write custom code based on custom libraries, because it has never seen those custom libraries before.  Obviously, a private company isn't going to expose their custom libraries to the public to see, because that is confidential information.

So ironically, programming jobs are safe for now from Chat GPT.  Having said that, if companies internally ran an internal Chat GPT like AI to analyze their custom libraries, then that could be problematic. However, once again, any AI like Chat GPT would need a lot of different sources, so even an internal Chat GPT inside a private company needs enough source material, before it can be effective.

In the next decade, I see Chat GPT as a tool that many programmers use, but it can't replace programmers (also, some of the code Chat GPT spits out is not correct and often has bugs - tracking down the reason of those bugs takes time, so as a programmer, I would only use Chat GPT as another tool, like I use Google as a tool to help with programming).

[Rockliffe 1,465]

2 hours ago, Reader said:

most extraordinary and obviously grossly ill-considered decisions being made all over the world, are resulting from this instant learning,
without experience, that is rapidly becoming the norm.
 

You make a valid point and one which could be easily overlooked. While this new AI is, without doubt, going to change things forever, it will still have it's drawbacks, as with anything that ultimately 'mimics' human behaviour or thought processes. To curb dangerous use of this technology, it is going to be necessary, IMO, to only use it where there is negligible consequences for it producing incorrect information. Having said that, it is called Chat (GPT) for a reason, that reaosn being, you can chat with it on a one to one basis in a conversational manner and get a response accordingly, so it doesn't need to be solely used for accessing information.

[OzWhitey 3,353]

3 hours ago, abrams_tank said:

For Chat GPT, it can only write computer programs if there are examples of those programs on the internet already. So if you asked Chat GPT to write a Quicksort in C++, it can do that because there are already examples on the internet of Quicksort in C++.

That’s not true at all, though it’s a common misconception that I see repeated by people who presumably haven’t used ChatGPT very much.

ChatGPT can absolutely create original content. 

Whilst the basic principle of generative AI is roughly analogous to autocomplete, the reason that the company behind it is now worth billions of dollars is because it can do incredibly clever things.

I just demonstrated that it’ll have a go at writing an MSFS EFB. It certainly gives the appearance of understanding the task, there’s no way that this is just a cut and paste from somewhere.

—————————————-

“Given that you're looking for an initial starting point for creating an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) in the context of a Microsoft Flight Simulator addon, I'll provide a simple example using JavaScript with WebGL to render a basic 3D model of the iPad in the simulator's cockpit. Keep in mind that this is only a starting point and not a fully functional implementation.

To begin, create an HTML file to host the WebGL canvas and load your JavaScript code:”

—————————-

But if you still think it’s still just somehow copying and pasting from somewhere on the internet - well, here’s a poem I asked my favorite AI to write about you, in the style of Sylvia Plath. 

————————————————————

In the dusky realm of virtual skies, There lived a man, abrams_tank, by name, A lover of clouds and simulated flights, For Microsoft's realm was his only claim.

He'd soar through ether, his fingers light, His eyes aglow in the screen's blue gleam, His heart aflutter as the engine roared, Embracing the world of his digital dream.

But lo, a shadow crossed his path, The specter of another's simulation, Prepar3d, a rival he'd scorn and chide, A feud born of his fierce fixation.

In the darkness of his room, he'd whisper, A soliloquy of disdain and despair, For abrams_tank could not abide The presence of this pretender in the air.

And as he flew, his thoughts would stray, To ChatGPT, an AI of modern fame, Its words, a jumble of sense and nonsense, A cold machine, he'd scorn and blame.

Yet through the storm of his discontent, Abrams_tank, a pilot true and brave, Would navigate the tempests of his heart, To find solace in the skies he'd crave.

For in the end, despite his rage, And the rivals he held in low esteem, He was a dreamer of the digital heavens, Bound to the flight, his heart's true theme.

————————-

Lol, I actually think it’s pretty good. 😉 

[Stearmandriver 1,848]

1 hour ago, Rockliffe said:

While this new AI is, without doubt, going to change things forever, it will still have it's drawbacks, as with anything that ultimately 'mimics' human behaviour or thought processes.

Is it really going to change things forever?  We've had the ability to search a database for a long time now.  This thing does not mimic human behavior or thought processes; that's the whole point.  All it can do is stitch together info in its database, and it often does so incorrectly...

[Rockliffe 1,465]

1 hour ago, Stearmandriver said:

Is it really going to change things forever?  We've had the ability to search a database for a long time now.  This thing does not mimic human behavior or thought processes; that's the whole point.  All it can do is stitch together info in its database, and it often does so incorrectly...

But Andrew, it doesn't simply stick information together, that's the point. If it did so, it would not be able to create a unique piece of verse, as demonstrated by Oz (above)

[Ray Proudfoot 8,528]

If anyone is interested enough ask this app "How to fly Concorde?"

If it searches forums I wonder if it will copy and paste the instructions I have supplied in Avsim. 🤣

[Rockliffe 1,465]

28 minutes ago, Ray Proudfoot said:

If anyone is interested enough ask this app "How to fly Concorde?"

If it searches forums I wonder if it will copy and paste the instructions I have supplied in Avsim. 🤣

Hi ChatGPT, how do you fly the aircraft Concorde?

 

As an AI language model, I do not have the physical capability to fly an aircraft such as Concorde. However, I can provide you with some information on how Concorde was flown. Concorde was a supersonic passenger jet that was operated by British Airways and Air France. It was a complex aircraft with advanced technology and required a skilled crew to operate it. The flight crew consisted of two pilots, a flight engineer, and a chief steward. The pilots were responsible for flying the aircraft, while the flight engineer monitored the performance of the engines and systems. The chief steward was in charge of the cabin and passenger safety. To fly Concorde, the pilots had to undergo extensive training and had to hold a special type rating on their pilot's license. During the flight, the pilots had to constantly monitor the aircraft's speed, altitude, and systems, and make adjustments as necessary. One of the most challenging aspects of flying Concorde was managing its supersonic speed. At cruising altitude, Concorde could travel at speeds of up to Mach 2.04 (1,354 mph or 2,180 km/h), which is twice the speed of sound. This required the pilots to constantly make adjustments to the aircraft's nose and wing positions to maintain stability and control. Overall, flying Concorde was a highly demanding and technical task that required a skilled and experienced flight crew.

 

 

What about this....

 

Hi GPT, I watched a TV drama the other day which had an actor called Arran Paul in it. I can't remember the name of the programme, but was hoping you could give me the name of the actress who played his girlfirend and also the name of the programme.

 

I'm sorry, but as an artificial intelligence language model, I don't have access to real-time information or live updates. However, there is an actor named Aaron Paul, who is best known for his role as Jesse Pinkman in the television series "Breaking Bad." Without more information about the TV drama you watched, I'm unable to identify the actress who played his girlfriend or the name of the program.If you can provide me with more details such as the plot, genre, or any other actors that appeared in the show, I might be able to help you identify the name of the program and the actress who played Aaron Paul's girlfriend.

 

Ah that was the programme, if I remember correctly, she died in his bed after an overdose

 

It sounds like you are referring to the television series "Breaking Bad" which starred Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman. In the show, Jesse's girlfriend Jane, who was played by actress Krysten Ritter, dies of a drug overdose while in bed with Jesse. "Breaking Bad" is a critically acclaimed drama series that aired from 2008 to 2013 and follows the story of a high school chemistry teacher who turns to cooking and selling methamphetamine after being diagnosed with cancer. 

Edited March 27 by Rockliffe

[Ray Proudfoot 8,528]

36 minutes ago, Rockliffe said:

One of the most challenging aspects of flying Concorde was managing its supersonic speed. At cruising altitude, Concorde could travel at speeds of up to Mach 2.04 (1,354 mph or 2,180 km/h), which is twice the speed of sound. This required the pilots to constantly make adjustments to the aircraft's nose and wing positions to maintain stability and control.

Thanks @Rockliffe. Pretty standard description except for the bit I pasted above.

The nose and wing positions never changed during MAX CLB / MAX CRUISE. The aircraft drifted upwards very slowly as fuel was burnt off. No mention of the FE's job in handling fuel which was critical to get CG correct for all aspects of flight.

[Rockliffe 1,465]

39 minutes ago, Ray Proudfoot said:

Thanks @Rockliffe. Pretty standard description except for the bit I pasted above.

The nose and wing positions never changed during MAX CLB / MAX CRUISE. The aircraft drifted upwards very slowly as fuel was burnt off. No mention of the FE's job in handling fuel which was critical to get CG correct for all aspects of flight.

How did the flight engineer on Concorde control fuel during flight to enable the correct c of g

Maintaining the correct center of gravity (CG) on the Concorde was crucial to the aircraft's safe operation and performance. The Concorde had a fuel management system that allowed the flight engineer to control the fuel load and balance during flight to maintain the proper CG.

The fuel management system on the Concorde consisted of fuel tanks located throughout the aircraft. The fuel tanks were divided into four main areas: two wing tanks and two fuselage tanks. Each tank had a fuel quantity indicator, which allowed the flight engineer to monitor the fuel levels in real-time.

To maintain the proper CG, the flight engineer would continuously monitor the fuel levels and adjust the fuel load as necessary. This involved transferring fuel between tanks to ensure that the weight was distributed evenly throughout the aircraft.

The flight engineer would start by loading the fuel into the tanks according to a pre-planned fuel load sheet, which took into account the expected fuel consumption during the flight, the payload, and the desired CG position. The fuel load sheet provided the flight engineer with the expected CG position at various stages of the flight.

During the flight, the flight engineer would compare the actual fuel levels with the fuel load sheet and make adjustments as necessary to maintain the desired CG position. If the CG was outside the desired range, the flight engineer would transfer fuel between tanks to redistribute the weight and bring the CG back to the desired position.

The fuel transfer process was controlled manually by the flight engineer, who used a series of valves and pumps located throughout the aircraft. The flight engineer had to be constantly aware of the fuel levels in each tank and adjust the fuel load as necessary to maintain the proper CG.

In addition to maintaining the proper CG, the fuel management system on the Concorde was also designed to prevent fuel starvation during flight. The fuel pumps were equipped with automatic cutoff switches that would shut off the fuel flow if the fuel level in a tank dropped below a certain level.

Overall, the fuel management system on the Concorde was a critical component of the aircraft's operation and performance, and the flight engineer played a crucial role in ensuring the safe and successful operation of the aircraft by continuously monitoring and adjusting the fuel load to maintain the proper CG during flight.

[VFXSimmer 1,302]

3 hours ago, Stearmandriver said:

Is it really going to change things forever?  We've had the ability to search a database for a long time now.  This thing does not mimic human behavior or thought processes; that's the whole point.  All it can do is stitch together info in its database, and it often does so incorrectly...

But that’s really all humans beings do too.  New knowledge is not synthesized out of the ether.  It’s nothing but an original recombination or extrapolation of existing information.  Humans screw up a lot of things too until they learn to correct them over time which is exactly how the tech behind these new search engines work.

Its also important to distinguish “intelligence” from “consciousness”. A system can be intelligent by providing ‘correct’, ‘productive’ (choose your superlative) answers to questions even if it can’t internally reflect on them.  And these systems don’t have to be “perfect” to gain traction in our society.  They merely have to be better on average than their human competition and you will see society switch to their “expertise”.  The fact that we aren’t there today does not mean this won’t happen in the not too distant future.  These neural nets keep learning and improving at a frightening pace and their database of knowledge to draw from is literally larger than the Library of Congress.

[Ray Proudfoot 8,528]

@Rockliffe, thanks for that. Do you think you could handle the FE’s job? 😁

There were 13 fuel tanks. Some used for feeding engines directly, others for balancing for correct CG. Others as feeder tanks to those feeding the engines directly.

[abrams_tank 6,778]

4 hours ago, OzWhitey said:

That’s not true at all, though it’s a common misconception that I see repeated by people who presumably haven’t used ChatGPT very much.

ChatGPT can absolutely create original content. 

Whilst the basic principle of generative AI is roughly analogous to autocomplete, the reason that the company behind it is now worth billions of dollars is because it can do incredibly clever things.

I just demonstrated that it’ll have a go at writing an MSFS EFB. It certainly gives the appearance of understanding the task, there’s no way that this is just a cut and paste from somewhere.

But the code that Chat GPT generated was mostly a bunch of stubs? Seems like Chat GPT generated a general template, but then everything is stubbed out in your example:

Quote

const canvas = document.getElementById('glCanvas');
const gl = canvas.getContext('webgl2');

if (!gl) {
  console.error('WebGL 2 is not supported on this browser.');
}

function initShaderProgram(gl, vertexSource, fragmentSource) {
  // Compile and link shaders, create a program and return it
  // ...
}

// Vertex and fragment shaders for rendering a simple 3D model
const vertexShaderSource = `
  // Vertex shader code here
`;

const fragmentShaderSource = `
  // Fragment shader code here
`;

const shaderProgram = initShaderProgram(gl, vertexShaderSource, fragmentShaderSource);

function load3DModel(modelURL) {
  // Load 3D model from URL (e.g., .obj or .gltf) and return model data
  // ...
}

function renderModel(gl, shaderProgram, modelData) {
  // Render the 3D model using WebGL

  // ...
}

const modelURL = 'path/to/ipad-model.obj';
const modelData = load3DModel(modelURL);

function render() {
  // Update camera and model transformations
  // ...

  // Clear the canvas and render the model
  gl.clear(gl.COLOR_BUFFER_BIT | gl.DEPTH_BUFFER_BIT);
  renderModel(gl, shaderProgram, modelData);

  requestAnimationFrame(render);
}

// Initialize rendering
render();

I don't even know how accurate this template is in the first place. But having so much code stubbed out isn't very useful, IMO.

I was also playing around with Chat GPT and asking it to generate code in C#.  It wasn't bad - in fact, Chat GPT was pretty close in the few examples I gave it. But it also generated some errors that I would have had to spend a lot of time trying to figure out why it wasn't working.

In the end, to save time, I would have been better off copying and pasting code from Stackoverflow, because code from Stackoverflow generally works.  This is the reason that Stackoverflow has banned code generated by Chat GPT, because the code generated by Chat GPT often has a lot of errors.

I'm not saying Chat GPT doesn't have any value for programming. In fact, I think it's a great tool to add to a programmer's set of toolbox. But I wouldn't completely rely on it, and I would also be cognizant that Chat GPT can often generate a lot of coding errors, which costs you time to figure the errors out.

Edited March 27 by abrams_tank

[Mike A 280]

8 hours ago, OzWhitey said:

Most of our forum conversations could probably just be generated by AI now. That would be super useful - we could spend more time flying rather than arguing about the same stuff!

👍