ChatGPT Hallucination Effect Illustrated

I have just started teaching a Public Relations Writing class today. My department has introduced the new AI policy which sounds as follows: "Students are allowed to use AI platforms for research (but: be mindful of the “hallucination effect”!) and generation of ideas. Partial use of AI-generated content is allowed in students’ original works such as home assignments, essays and final papers. However, similar to citing other primary, secondary, and tertiary sources, AI-generated content must be clearly referenced and attributed. Using AI-generated content without proper attribution will be treated as cheating and acted upon in accordance with the college policies on cheating."

This policy is on all our syllabi now. As the department, we decided we cannot put the AI ginny back into the bottle by banning its use entirely. Instead, we should teach the students how to use it reasonably and responsibly. In our first class today, we have discussed the ethical aspects of using AI and the fact that in public relations and advertising today AI is used extensively for generation of ideas, and in particular, writing of numerous social media posts. It is the reality of today's communicative professions and we cannot escape it.

Some of my students did not know what the AI hallucination effect was. ChatGPT itself defines it as "the phenomenon of a machine, such as a chatbot, generating seemingly realistic sensory experiences that do not correspond to any real-world input. This can include visual, auditory, or other types of hallucinations." In plain words, when AI doesn't know something it will straight up make up stuff it is missing.

I have decided to combine two fun exercises in class today: (1) to write a short factual bio sketch of up to 100 words, which is the first writing assignment for the class, and (2) to ask the AI to write a 300-word essay based on that bio sketch. As an illustration, I did that exercise on myself.

My short bio: "Lana Lynx is a public relations and intercultural communication professor at a small liberal arts college in northwestern Pennsylvania. Born in Kyrgyzstan, she has lived half of her life in the Soviet Union. With two master’s in political science (CEU) and journalism and mass communication (KSU), and a doctorate in mass communication and public affairs from LSU, she has over 35 years of experience in the global higher education systems both as a student and a teacher, including 13 years of teaching in the United States."

I have fed it to ChatGPT with the prompt, "please write a 300-word essay about this person: (copied by bio here)". Here is the result:

"Lana Lynx: Bridging Education and Cultures for Over 35 Years

In the hallowed halls of academia, where intellects clash and theories abound, one name stands out for its multidimensional influence: Dr. Lana Lynx. As a public relations and intercultural communication professor at a small liberal arts college in northwestern Pennsylvania, Dr. Lynx serves as a unique intersection of multiple worlds. Her life journey, an epitome of resilience and perpetual learning, began in Kyrgyzstan and navigated through the collapse of the Soviet Union, only to flourish on American soil.

Born and raised in Kyrgyzstan, Dr. Lynx experienced firsthand the complexities of life under Soviet rule. This sociopolitical backdrop not only molded her formative years but also lent her insights into the challenges and opportunities within disparate political systems. Her academic qualifications are a testament to her relentless pursuit of knowledge. With master’s degrees in political science from Central European University (CEU) and journalism and mass communication from Kent State University (KSU), followed by a doctorate in mass communication and public affairs from Louisiana State University (LSU), she has traversed the globe in her educational quest.

This rich academic background spans over 35 years in the global higher education systems—both as a student and a teacher. With 13 years of teaching experience in the United States, Dr. Lynx brings an eclectic, well-informed viewpoint into her classrooms. She deftly navigates between Western theories and Eastern philosophies, fostering a learning environment that is both inclusive and intellectually challenging. Her courses, often described as "life-altering" by students, delve deep into the realms of public relations and intercultural communication, bridging gaps between various cultural narratives and mass media discourses.

What sets Dr. Lynx apart is not just her academic prowess, but her ability to infuse each lecture, each assignment, with real-world implications and lessons derived from her own life experiences. In Dr. Lynx, students see more than just a professor; they see a living tapestry of global transitions, political revolutions, and the transformative power of education. She represents what the 21st-century educator can be—multi-faceted, globally conscious, and forever a student at heart."

I mean, I'm flattered. But there's so much puff and fluff in this essay you'd wonder if AI was designed to write people's bios like a spin doctor. There's also a factual mistake there: my KSU degree is not from Kent State but from Kansas State, but this mistake is forgivable. My students were actually impressed by this AI hallucination about me, which is not that far-fetched from the truth but still a hallucination.

I can't wait to read what ChatGPT comes up with about my students when they submit this assignment finished in our next class.