In November 2022, my son who works in Cupertino, California, was in India for his Wedding. One evening, he opened a website, he had access and asked me to type any question and look for the answer. Out of curiosity, I typed and it was shock and Awe. Thus CHAT-GPT entered my life. I quickly registered myself when it was officially announced, in December, (like Hotmail in 1999 and GMAIL in 2005 and Blog in Nov 2005 and Twitter 2007) and after few days got access. Then life is never same.
I asked just now, Chat-GPT what is it? Here is the Answer Below it produced in a nano second!
“Chat-GPT is a language model developed by OpenAI. It is based on the GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) architecture, specifically GPT-3.5, which is one of the latest versions. GPT-3.5 is a state-of-the-art deep learning model that is trained on a vast amount of text data from diverse sources.
The purpose of Chat-GPT is to generate human-like text responses based on the input it receives. It uses a machine learning technique called unsupervised learning, where it learns from patterns and structures within the text data it was trained on. This training enables Chat-GPT to understand and generate coherent and contextually relevant responses to a wide range of prompts and questions.
Chat-GPT can be used in various applications, including chatbots, virtual assistants, content generation, language translation, question-answering systems, and more. It has been designed to engage in interactive conversations and provide informative and helpful responses based on its training and the context of the conversation.
It’s important to note that while Chat-GPT can generate impressive and contextually relevant text, it may occasionally produce incorrect or nonsensical answers. It also lacks real-time information and is not aware of events or developments that have occurred after its knowledge cutoff date, which is in September 2021 for GPT-3.5.
I have been using this tool for my queries/ thoughts/ doubts as well as intriguring problems. Some of the questions are very personal like asking a counsellor or physician.!
EHS Professionals can take advantage of this tool to enhance their skills and knowledge. Not only in EHS, this can extend to many areas as well as what we call as UNKNOWN-UNKNOWN. Ofcourse, using professional judgement, common sense is critical as well as gut feeling as not everything the machine spit out can be correct. I myself cross validate things 99% of time over the past 7 months.
Chat-GPT can be a valuable tool for EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety) professionals in several ways:
- Information Retrieval: EHS professionals often need quick access to information on regulations, standards, best practices, and industry guidelines. Chat-GPT can provide instant responses to their queries, helping them retrieve relevant information without the need for extensive research.
- Guidance and Decision Support: EHS professionals may encounter complex scenarios or need guidance on specific issues. Chat-GPT can offer insights, suggestions, and recommendations based on its training and knowledge base, helping professionals make informed decisions.
- Training and Education: Chat-GPT can be utilized as a training tool for EHS professionals. It can provide interactive learning experiences, answer questions, and clarify concepts. This enables professionals to enhance their knowledge, expand their understanding of EHS topics, and stay updated with the latest practices.
- Risk Assessment and Hazard Identification: EHS professionals frequently engage in risk assessments and hazard identification processes. Chat-GPT can assist in brainstorming potential hazards, identifying risk factors, and providing suggestions for control measures based on its training and understanding of EHS principles.
- Compliance Support: Ensuring compliance with EHS regulations and standards is a crucial aspect of the profession. Chat-GPT can help EHS professionals navigate complex regulations, interpret requirements, and provide guidance on compliance-related matters.
- Incident Response and Emergency Preparedness: During incidents or emergencies, EHS professionals often need to make swift decisions and take appropriate actions. Chat-GPT can serve as a resource to provide immediate advice, suggestions for containment measures, or steps to follow until further assistance is available.
- Documentation and Reporting: Chat-GPT can assist EHS professionals in generating reports, preparing documentation, and providing templates or examples for various EHS-related documents, such as incident reports, safety manuals, or risk assessments.
It’s important to note that while Chat-GPT can provide useful information and guidance, it should not replace professional judgment, critical thinking, or domain expertise. EHS professionals should always validate the information provided by Chat-GPT against trusted sources, consult relevant regulations and standards, and consider the specific context and requirements of their organization.
Good luck.
Health, Environment, Safety, Sustainability (HESS) 