Ever asked ChatGPT what it thinks about ag? Here's what it says

This was carried out via the online platform ChatGPT 3.5, which is prefaced with the warning that "ChatGPT can make mistakes. Consider checking important information".

I first asked the tech how it formulates its responses. The answers are generated based on patterns learned during training, and the bot notes it doesn't have access to real-time data or the ability to actually understand the world outside its training data.

"While it can provide useful and coherent responses, it may also generate incorrect or nonsensical answers, especially in situations where the correct answer requires up-to-date information or domain-specific expertise," it responded.

Some of the answers remind me of my high school essays when I didn't really understand the topic: plenty of words, not a lot of substance.

The tech acknowledges when it can't answer the specifics of a question and does at least point people to where they can carry out their own research.

Some of the answers have been condensed due to space.

Was the downturn in the cattle market an overreaction, as reported by other media?

I'm sorry, but I don't have real-time information, as my knowledge was last updated in January 2022. To get the most recent and accurate information on the cattle market and whether the reported downturn was an overreaction, I recommend checking the latest financial news, market reports, and expert analyses. Financial markets can be influenced by a variety of factors, including economic indicators, geopolitical events, and supply and demand dynamics, so it's essential to consider multiple sources of information for a comprehensive understanding of the situation.

Why are some scientists concerned that the number of carbon credits generated by some Australian projects is unrealistically high?

Concerns about the number of carbon credits generated by some Australian projects being unrealistically high are often related to issues with the methodologies used for measuring and verifying emissions reductions.

Carbon credits, or carbon offsets, are generated through projects that claim to reduce or sequester greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change mitigation.

However, concerns can arise when the credibility and accuracy of these projects are in question. Some reasons why scientists might express concerns include methodological issues, verification challenges, baseline and additionality concerns, and uncertain long-term carbon sequestration. Double counting, a lack of transparency, regulatory oversight, and market integrity, are other areas that might be cause for concern.

It's important to note that concerns about the accuracy of carbon credits are not unique to Australia and can be present in carbon markets globally. To address these concerns, there is ongoing discussion and effort to establish and enforce standardised methodologies, improve transparency, and enhance the rigour of verification processes in carbon offset projects. These efforts aim to ensure that carbon credits represent real and additional emissions reductions and contribute effectively to global climate goals.

Are Australian livestock bred for showing still commercially relevant?

The relevance of Australian livestock bred for showing to commercial production depends on several factors, and opinions may vary among producers and industry stakeholders. Some considerations regarding the commercial relevance of livestock bred for showing include genetic improvement, market demand, economic considerations, dual purpose animals, networking and promotion, breed standards and recognition, education and engagement, and specialty markets.

While there can be overlap between show and commercial traits in certain breeds, it's essential for producers to make breeding decisions based on the specific goals and priorities of their commercial operations. Practical considerations such as adaptability, disease resistance, and economic efficiency often take precedence in commercial livestock production.

Ultimately, the relevance of Australian livestock bred for showing to commercial production will depend on the alignment of show traits with the economic and practical goals of commercial operations in a given context.

What's driving the shortage of soil scientists in Australia?

The shortage of soil scientists in Australia can be attributed to a combination of factors, including educational, economic, and industry-specific considerations. Some key drivers of the shortage include limited educational programs, an aging workforce, lack of awareness and interest, competing career paths, insufficient research funding, challenges in rural and regional areas, changing agricultural practices, and global trends and competition.

Addressing the shortage of soil scientists requires a multi-faceted approach, including efforts to promote soil science education, raise awareness about the importance of the discipline, provide incentives for professionals to work in rural areas, and secure funding for research and development initiatives. Collaboration between academic institutions, government agencies, and industry stakeholders is crucial in developing strategies to attract, train, and retain skilled soil scientists.

Did Eddie Jones make the right move?

As of my last knowledge update in January 2022, I do not have information on any recent developments or decisions made by Eddie Jones. Eddie Jones is a rugby coach, and his decisions are often related to coaching appointments, player selections, and team strategies in the context of rugby.

If there have been recent decisions or moves made by Eddie Jones in his coaching career after my last update, I recommend checking the latest sports news, official team announcements, or relevant sources for the most up-to-date information on Eddie Jones and his coaching decisions. Sports news outlets, team websites, and official rugby organisations would provide the latest insights into any moves or decisions made by Eddie Jones in the context of rugby coaching.

While some of the answers are fine, if a little vague, the tech is certainly correct in that it doesn't have real-time data or expert knowledge.

These answers are all pretty harmless in that there's nothing glaringly incorrect, but they are more like basic summaries of a topic rather than an in-depth analysis.

What's more of a concern is there's no way of knowing where its answers have been summarised from. The webpage doesn't offer much information about how the bot is trained, but when I searched the frequently asked questions it said, "these models were trained on vast amounts of data from the internet written by humans, including conversations, so the responses it provides may sound human-like."

"It is important to keep in mind that this is a direct result of the system's design (i.e. maximising the similarity between outputs and the dataset the models were trained on) and that such outputs may be inaccurate, untruthful, and otherwise misleading at times."

In summary, it's interesting to see the responses but I wouldn't be basing any commercial decisions off its answers. The tech is always evolving though, so watch this space.