Intelligence without understanding? How ChatGPT works and how it could make your life easier (and how it won’t…)

The online event aims to explore the potential and drawbacks of large language models, such as ChatGPT, for academic work. First, Anselm Küsters, an expert on digital technologies at the Centre for European Policy (cep) and post-doctoral researcher at Humboldt University and mpilhlt, introduces the basic workings of such language models, outlines some initial lessons for their applicability in the academic space, and explains machine learning more broadly. Then, Andreas Wagner, an expert in digital humanities at the mpilhlt, will go into more detail about practical examples and hurdles for using this technology in academia. After these two introductory talks, there will be ample time to address questions from the audience.