Issue #19. Everything is better with a puppy

On today’s quest:

— ChatGPT Plus can resize images
— Bots all the way down? Nah (but still quite embarrassing for X)
— AI and jobs

Tip: ChatGPT Plus can resize images

I frequently have to resize images, and I discovered that ChatGPT can do it in fewer steps than it takes me now.

Previously, I would resize images by either opening them in Preview and resizing or uploading to Canva and dropping the image into a blank image the size I want. This is faster.

ChatGPT will also process multiple images at once. I tested it with three images using the same prompt.* Interestingly, the first time, it made all three images square, but it did not make them 720 × 720.

I asked it why, and it said it was optimizing for keeping the central focus on the images unchanged. It then redid them at 720 × 720 and amusingly gave them file names that ended with “_exact_cropped.” The first set had ended with just “_cropped.”

Discovery: Bots all the way down?

I came across an amazing Bluesky post that seems to show that some verified X/Twitter accounts are ChatGPT-driven bots — because they’re posting error messages from ChatGPT.

This actually isn’t new. I found another post making the same observation back in April, but it’s still happening.

You may hear about these kinds of posts in the context of something called the Dead Internet Theory — a conspiracy theory that most of the internet is just government generated bots talking to each other to manipulate public opinion and behavior.

I searched X/Twitter to be sure these posts were real, and indeed, I did find posts with ChatGPT error messages — but not an overwhelming number of them. It was more like 20 or 30. But still, it probably doesn’t throw error messages all that often. I’m sure there are a fair number of ChatGPT-driven bots, but I doubt they make up the majority of posts on the site (as fun as it would be to think so).

Tip: You need AI and human communication skills

In a Bloomberg interview, LinkedIn’s COO gave this advice for young job seekers: **

“I would say, learn how to use the tools, try them out, and see what they can do. People who are comfortable with these tools — just like people who are comfortable with technology in general — are going to have opportunities.

And as much as there’s going to be demand for technical skills, there’s going to be increased demand for human skills: communication and creativity. Successful schools will be the ones that foster those kinds of learning experiences for people in a way that’s going to be what employers are looking for.”

Funny: If AI had a podcast

News

Duolingo has ceased working with about 10% of contractors, citing AI as the reason

“Chief Executive Officer Luis von Ahn said in a November letter to shareholders that the company is using generative AI — a technology that lets users more quickly create text, speech and images — to produce ‘new content dramatically faster,’ such as the scripts to shows that help teach languages. The company also uses AI to generate voices within the app and has introduced a premium tier, Duolingo Max, with AI-generated feedback and conversations in other languages.” — Bloomberg

Pennsylvania government workers will start using ChatGPT in test program

“Pennsylvania plans to use ChatGPT Enterprise ‘for tasks such as creating copy, making outdated policy language more accessible, drafting job descriptions to help with recruitment and hiring, [and] addressing duplication and conflicting guidance” in employee policy as well as for coding.’” — The Verge

What is AI sidequest?

Using AI isn’t my main job, and it probably isn’t yours either. I’m Mignon Fogarty, and Grammar Girl is my main gig, but I haven’t seen a technology this transformative since the development of the internet, and I want to learn about it. I bet you do too.

So here we are! Sidequesting together.

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^{*  Rewritten to be plural.}

^{** Remember: LinkedIn is owned by Microsoft, which is an investor in OpenAI.}

^{Written by a human.}