Generating Ideas with ChatGPT: Random Input

ChatGPT and other AI tools have recently generated a large amount of interest because of their ability to carry out a wide range of tasks, including customer support, data analytics and automatic translation. So we thought it would be interesting to see if we can generate ides with ChatGPT using the three basic techniques: Pump, Jump and Dump. In this post we will look at the easiest method for generating ideas: Random Input.

The Random Input technique

The Random Input technique for generating ideas is very simple: Use a randomly chosen concept as inspiration for new ideas. The key to using this technique successfully is to name as many attributes of the random inspiration as possible, because it is these, rather than the random concept itself, which inspire ideas. The Pencil Exercise and the Strawberry Joghurt Test are two exercises that we regularly use to train this ability.

Asking ChatGPT for ideas directly

Let’s imagine that you need a present for your partner on your wedding anniversary. We can ask ChatGPT directly for some ideas:

I need some ideas for a gift our wedding anniversary.

ChatGPT returns 20 ideas, including the following:

Personalized Photo Album: Create a custom photo album filled with pictures from your years together. Include captions or notes to make it even more special.

Romantic Getaway: Plan a surprise weekend getaway to a location you both love or a place you’ve always wanted to visit.

Cooking Class: Take a cooking class together to learn a new culinary skill and enjoy a delicious meal.

These are all fairly ordinary ideas, and you can find them using an Internet search (which is presumably what ChatGPT essentially has done). They are ideas that anyone could come up with without using any special technique.

Add the random inspiration

We can help ChatGPT to find better ideas by providing some random inspiration:

Using a parrot as inspiration, give me some ideas for a gift for my wedding anniversary.

ChatGPT returns 12 suggestions, most of which use the parrot literally, for example:

Colorful Artwork: Commission a colorful and vibrant piece of artwork that features a parrot. This could be a painting, print, or even a stained glass piece to hang in your home.

Parrot Feeding Experience: Arrange for a visit to a local zoo or aviary where you both can feed and interact with parrots. Some places offer special experiences like this.

Parrot Puzzle: Get a custom jigsaw puzzle made with a picture of a parrot, and spend an evening working on it together.

This is not what we are looking for (unless our partner happens to be a parrot-lover). The idea of a parrot is supposed to provide inspiration, not literal solutions.

Get ChatGPT to apply the random input correctly

We have to give ChatGPT some guidance, in order to make it do what we want it to do:

Create a list of facts about parrots and use this list as inspiration for wedding anniversary gifts.

This is part of the list that ChatGPT creates:

Parrots are highly intelligent birds known for their problem-solving skills.

They come in a wide variety of vibrant colors, making them visually stunning.

Parrots have strong beaks that they use to crack open nuts and seeds.

They have zygodactyl feet, with two toes facing forward and two toes facing backward, which makes them great climbers.

Parrots are found in diverse habitats, from rainforests to deserts.

And here are the corresponding gift ideas it comes up with:

Problem-Solving Adventure: Plan an anniversary adventure that involves solving puzzles or challenges together.

Vibrant Artwork: Gift a piece of vibrant artwork or decor.

Nut-Cracking Experience: Arrange a unique dining experience where you both learn to crack open and enjoy exotic nuts and seeds.

Climbing Adventure: If you’re both outdoor enthusiasts, embark on a rock climbing or hiking adventure together.

Diverse Habitat Exploration: Take a trip to a diverse habitat such as a rainforest, desert, or any place that interests you, exploring the wonders of nature together.

These ideas are all much more interesting and unique than the first suggestions.

Try different approaches

Now that we know how to instruct ChatGPT to use random inspirations to generate ideas, we can try many different approaches, for example:

Choose a random historical person, create a list of facts about that person and use this list as inspiration for wedding anniversary gifts.

Here is a summary of one of ChatGPT’s responses in the format Random historical person – Fact – Gift idea:

Leonardo da Vinci – He is famous for paintings such as the „Mona Lisa“ and „The Last Supper.“ – Gift a museum membership, allowing you both to visit art and science museums throughout the year.

Here are some more examples in the same format:

Marie Curie – Curie was known for her determination, hard work, and passion for scientific exploration. – Present your partner with an award that acknowledges their dedication and hard work in your relationship.

Amelia Earhart – Amelia Earhart was a pioneering aviator. – Book an introductory flight lesson for both of you to experience the thrill of flying.

And finally, here are some examples using various random inspirations:

Create a list of adjectives describing Darth Vader and use this list as inspiration for wedding anniversary gifts

Dark – Indulge in a dark chocolate tasting experience, savoring the rich and complex flavors that mirror Darth Vader’s character.

(… Pencil …)

Creative – Enroll in a creative workshop together, such as a painting or pottery class, to explore your artistic sides.

(… Socks …)

Warm – Gift warm and soft blankets for cuddling on the couch during movie nights.

(… Typewriter …)

Elegant – Take ballroom dance lessons together and learn classic dance styles, creating an elegant and memorable experience

Practical tips

For simple idea generating tasks that are amenable to the random word technique, ChatGPT is quite good at finding interesting and unique ideas.

This article will be the first in a series on using ChatGPT to generate ideas. The random input method is the simplest idea generation method which we rarely use in client projects, because it is too imprecise. For more specific tasks, ChatGPT can also be used with the analogy method.

Links

Generating Ideas with ChatGPT: Using Analogies

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Zuletzt aktualisiert am 14. März 2024 von Graham Horton