Microsoft’s GPT-4 Demonstrates Human-like Reasoning, Sparking Discussions on AI’s Progress

3 min read

Recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI) have brought to light the potential for machines to exhibit human-like reasoning capabilities. Microsoft’s GPT-4, powered by OpenAI’s advanced language model, has showcased its ability to reason and solve complex tasks with human-like understanding. The emergence of such capabilities has triggered concerns about the speed at which AI is advancing and the potential implications for human control over these technologies. This article explores the remarkable achievements of GPT-4 and the growing conversation surrounding the future of AI.

The Stacking Task: GPT-4’s impressive demonstration of human-like reasoning was revealed when it was prompted to stack various objects—namely, a book, nine eggs, a laptop, a bottle, and a nail—in a stable manner. The system not only successfully arranged the objects to ensure the eggs wouldn’t crack but also provided detailed instructions for each step. The surprising aspect was the AI’s ability to express the need to handle the eggs gently and avoid cracking them—an aspect that typically only humans would fully comprehend.

Microsoft’s Research and the Unforeseen: Peter Lee, head of research at Microsoft, initially approached the advancements in AI with skepticism. However, as GPT-4 continued to exhibit human-like reasoning, Lee’s skepticism transformed into a mix of frustration, annoyance, and even fear. These unexpected capabilities challenge our understanding of where AI is heading and raise concerns about the concept of Singularity—a future point when AI surpasses human intelligence, predicted by some to occur by 2045.

GPT-4’s Impressive Performance: OpenAI released GPT-4, a large multimodal model, in March. It not only accepts text inputs but also images, making it capable of offering detailed descriptions of visual content. The model has showcased remarkable abilities such as excelling in legal exams, understanding images, and comprehending prompts as long as 25,000 words. Its versatility has been demonstrated through various user-generated projects, including creating games, generating stories, and even building webpages.

The Evolution of GPT-4’s Capabilities: OpenAI’s recent study also highlights GPT-4’s progress over time. To illustrate the difference between learning and memorization, researchers asked GPT-4 to draw a unicorn in TikZ three times over the course of a month. The results showcased a clear evolution in the sophistication of GPT-4’s drawings, demonstrating its capacity to learn and improve over time.

The Implications and Call for Regulation: As the capabilities of AI models like GPT-4 continue to advance rapidly, concerns about their potential impact on society and the need for regulation have intensified. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently appeared before Congress to urge the establishment of regulations for AI. Altman expressed his concerns about the potential for significant harm if the technology were to be misused or go astray. The hearing emphasized the need for proactive measures to shape the future of AI responsibly, with lawmakers highlighting the transformative power of AI comparable to historical advancements like the printing press or the atomic bomb.

The end. Like it or not: Microsoft’s GPT-4, powered by OpenAI, has showcased remarkable human-like reasoning capabilities, igniting discussions about the rapid progress of AI and its potential implications. The system’s ability to solve complex tasks and exhibit reasoning beyond mere calculations raises questions about the future of AI and its impact on society. As the development of AI technologies continues, it becomes increasingly important to address concerns, establish regulations, and shape their deployment in a manner that benefits humanity while minimizing potential risks.