Can you have TOO many degrees?

[newdegree]

...I dont think anyone here had an issue with ChatGPT. Mr. GPT, please explain your habit to occasionally hallucinate.

"ChatGPT hallucination" refers to instances where ChatGPT provides information that is false, misleading, or fabricated while presenting it as factual. This phenomenon is common in AI systems like ChatGPT because they generate responses based on statistical patterns in their training data rather than accessing a knowledge database in real-time or understanding the content they provide. Here’s a closer look:

Why Hallucinations Occur
Pattern Matching Without Context: ChatGPT predicts the most likely sequence of words based on its training, not on actual "knowledge." If a query lacks sufficient grounding or relates to obscure topics, the model might fabricate plausible-sounding information to fill the gap.

Ambiguity in User Input: If the question is vague or open to interpretation, ChatGPT might generate a response based on partial understanding or assumptions, leading to inaccuracies.

Limitations of Training Data: The model is trained on a vast dataset but does not inherently know which sources are credible. It might draw from outdated, biased, or fictional information, causing factual distortions.

Lack of Fact-Checking Mechanisms: ChatGPT does not verify its outputs in real-time. It does not cross-reference external databases during the conversation, leading to a risk of confidently presenting falsehoods.

Examples of Hallucination
Fictitious References: Citing books, studies, or articles that don’t exist.
Misinformation: Giving incorrect dates, names, or events. For example, stating "George Washington was the first President of Canada."
Fabricated Processes: Describing non-existent techniques or procedures in science, medicine, or technology.
Misinterpreted Contexts: Combining unrelated facts into a response that sounds logical but is entirely false.

Mitigating Hallucination
User Verification: Encourage users to cross-check information with trusted sources.

Enhanced Training: Training models on more curated datasets to improve reliability.

Integrated Fact-Check Systems: Linking responses to verified knowledge bases or live information sources.

Prompt Refinement: Users providing specific, well-structured queries to reduce ambiguity in responses.

Hallucinations are a significant challenge for conversational AI and emphasize the importance of critical thinking when interpreting AI-generated content. If you'd like, I can assist in explaining strategies for detecting hallucinated content or improving AI reliability.

The issue is more severe when a person uses ChatGPT or AI generation software to write a whole paper or assignment that is not original writing. In my doctoral program, you would be kicked out or fail the course for plagiarism and student ethics violations under the student code of honor. A few of my professors gave warnings and have failed people over this. Why should someone be rewarded for using AI systems to assist with their papers? Using Microsoft Word to correct grammar is one thing, but when using AI software to enhance your writing ability or write entire sections of your assignment, it's a negative. It's unfair to those who work hard and do original work and research. Seeing a published article or book entirely AI-generated is even more frustrating. 
I guess I am old school; I got many of my degrees before this technology came out.