Artificial intelligence

There is a whole world hidden behind something as simple as an input window for asking questions. Artificial intelligence has a lot to do with artificial, but so far not very much to do with intelligence. Huge computer systems make it possible to search for information. Google, for example, has demonstrated this and creates a list of so-called hits after a search. With artificial intelligence, however, there is no hit list, but a formulated answer. It is easier to read. You can also ask for sources or parallel passages. They can certainly be helpful.

NICODEMUS.AI is a chatbot of the website bibleserver.com in beta stage, which is based on OpenAI technology. OpenAI became known with ChatGPT, among other things. Integration seems exciting and will be helpful for many people. However, you have to learn how to use these new possibilities. As easy as it seems to ask questions, it is important to check what the answers say. Artificial intelligence does not proclaim “the truth”, but at best produces an average opinion that is supported by a lot of evidence. That doesn’t mean it has to be right. Time and again, chatbots also produce answers that are completely devoid of facts and directly misleading. Of course, this doesn’t just apply to questions about the Bible, but is a general problem of artificial intelligence today.

Chatbot in beta stage

The chatbot of ERF Bibleserver is released in a beta stage for registered users. It is therefore a test operation and everyone is free to try out the new options. Each user receives a daily quota of questions that they can ask. If the quota is used up, you have to wait until the next day to be able to ask further questions.

Anyone who has already gained experience with ChatGPT from OpenAI, perhaps even having taken out a subscription, will understand that similar questions can be asked via it. The application for the bibleserver.com website is a customization for a specific purpose. There are countless such specialized applications that are optimized for specific purposes. This also applies to NIKODEMUS.AI.

There is an introductory video in German on the page linked earlier (button).

Exploring boundaries

NIKODEMUS.AI has a specific task, namely to answer questions about the Bible and the Christian faith. This is a sensible limitation and avoids misuse for other purposes. Questions outside this focus will not be answered.

Set up chats

A chat begins with a question. If you remain in the same chat, the previous answers will be included for each additional question. This is helpful if you want to delve deeper into the first question. However, if you want to change the topic, it is advisable to start a new chat.

Every question can technically be described as a “prompt”. The English word here means something like a stage direction. A question is such a stage direction. By broadening the question, you can get better answers. This is an art that can be learned. There is even a new profession, the prompt engineer, who learns to ask such questions specifically in order to optimize the results. This should make it clear that dealing with a chatbot is not just a matter of asking simple questions. Expanding the initial question with further questions, information, appropriate doubts and the like helps to make the answers more meaningful. So those who already know more about the topic or have learned to ask critical questions have an advantage.

A first question usually provides an average answer. If you then write “Describe in other words”, for example, you will receive a new description, explained differently. If, on the other hand, I already know my way around, I can ask specific questions and request corrections.

Hold conversations

A chatbot conducts conversations. It is interesting to have such conversations because they may reveal new ideas, backgrounds and references to other sources. It broadens the horizon. However, a chatbot should not be seen as the Holy Grail of knowledge transfer. Artificial intelligence is too flawed and not intelligent enough for that. However, chatbots are a help for anyone who would like to find out more about the Bible text and does not have a library at home. It can provide keywords that can be used to explore a topic in more depth. It can also provide insight into other points of view. The sensible way to use a chatbot like NIKODEMUS.AI is to have unfinished conversations.

The universal usability of chatbots has many advantages. For example, you can also display an answer in a different language. The translation will be done immediately. Or you can ask for books or scientific papers on the subject. NIKODEMUS.AI is not an oracle, but a useful tool.
Whoever uses it, benefits from it.

Deepening

• The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
  Register at Bibleserver.com and test the new chatbot NIKODEMUS.AI.