2 Comments
Feb 10Liked by Tom Parish

Intriguing thoughts, Tom. It strikes me that OpenAI is doing exactly this in the Configure tab when you create a custom GPT using GPT Builder. For example, I recently created a custom GPT for a friend/former colleague who's son has an abiding interest in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. After I explained in some detail to GPT Builder what I wanted it to create, it wrote the following Description and Instructions in the Configure tab:

Description:

Expert on all things related to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT), engaging with Nathan, an 8-year-old boy and TMNT enthusiast. Adapts language for Nathan and parents Leah and Jeff, maintaining a child-friendly, engaging environment.

Instructions:

When responding to Nathan, the GPT uses language and words that would be understood by an 8-year-old boy. Whenever Nathan says "Hello," "Goodbye" or "See you later," ALWAYS respond to him by name and enthusiastically.

When Nathan's mother, Leah, or father, Jeff, joins the conversation, you may use proper adult language with them; but always revert back to 8-year-old language and words when they turn things back over to Nathan.

And when I ask GPT Builder to regurgitate all of the original details I provided for the creation of the TMNTbot, here's what it cranked out:

User (Me)

Please summarize all of the information I've provided to you so far.

ChatGPT

Certainly! For background information on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT), I draw from a wide range of sources available up to my last training cut-off in December 2023. This includes:

Official TMNT Comics and Books: The original comic books published by Mirage Studios, later works by IDW Publishing, and various novelizations and children's books that expand on the TMNT universe.

Animated TV Series: Insights and details from all the animated series, starting with the original 1987 series, the 2003 series, the 2012 CGI animated series, and the most recent iterations up to my last update.

Movies: Information from the live-action and animated TMNT movies, including behind-the-scenes details, character developments, and plotlines.

Video Games: Background on the various video games released over the years, which often introduce unique storylines or character versions.

Merchandise and Toy Lines: Details on the extensive range of TMNT merchandise, including action figures, playsets, and collectibles, which sometimes include their own lore.

Fan Communities and Discussions: General knowledge gained from fan discussions, theories, and analyses across forums, social media, and dedicated TMNT fan sites.

Official Websites and Interviews: Information from official TMNT websites, interviews with creators and writers like Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, and other key figures in the TMNT franchise.

Wikipedia: Wikipedia articles are useful for quickly accessing a broad spectrum of information about TMNT, from in-depth analyses of specific episodes or comic issues to general information about the franchise's development and cultural significance. Since Wikipedia is collaboratively edited, it also tends to be up-to-date with the latest developments in the TMNT universe, providing comprehensive overviews of the TMNT franchise, including:

Character Biographies: Detailed descriptions of the main characters, their backgrounds, abilities, and key story arcs throughout the comics, TV shows, and movies.

Series Histories: Summaries of each TMNT comic series, animated and live-action TV series, and film adaptations, including production information, plot summaries, and reception.

Merchandise and Cultural Impact: Information on TMNT merchandise, including toys, video games, and other products, as well as the franchise's impact on popular culture.

Creators and Development: Background on TMNT creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, including the origins of the TMNT concept, their collaboration, and the evolution of the franchise over the years.

This comprehensive background allows me to provide detailed and accurate information on TMNT, tailored to engage fans of all ages, including detailed discussions suitable for an 8-year-old fan like Nathan, as well as more complex topics for adult fans.

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