https://chatonai.org/chatgpt-plugins
ChatGPT Plugins
One of the most typical limitations of ChatGPT is that this language model's training data serves as the only source of information, which can be outdated and not tailored to specific applications because the knowledge of ChatGPT is restricted to events that took place before September 2021. Additionally, language models only provide text as output, which may contain helpful instructions, but another process is needed to execute them.
Up to now, ChatGPT initially allows some first plugins, which can assist this language model in improving this limitation by their help in many tasks such as accessing current information, performing calculations, or utilizing third-party services.
It’s time to find out the benefits of potential plugins for ChatGPT to understand why they are able to innovate ChatGPT’s abilities.
Plugin is considered as a specialized extension that is developed to assist language models like ChatGPT. Plugins have the ability to help language models access a lot of information that is too recent, too personal, or too specific to be included in the training data. Therefore, they can broaden the scope of possible applications and enhance the capabilities of language models.
Third-party Plugins
In order that a plugin can be put into operation, an API needs to be exposed on websites of developers and it is also necessary for developers to provide a manifest file that describes the API in a standardized format. ChatGPT then uses these files to allow the AI models to interact with the API created by the developer.
In short, there are three main parts of an active ChatGPT plugin, including: An API, an API schema (OpenAPI JSON or YAML format), and a manifest (JSON file) that defines relevant metadata for the plugin. And some first plugins which have to be mentioned have been created by Expedia, FiscalNote, Instacart, KAYAK, Klarna, Milo, OpenTable, Shopify, Slack, Speak, Wolfram, and Zapier. Moreover, OpenAI also develops its own plugins known as a web browser and code interpreter. They have made the code for a knowledge base retrieval plugin open-source, which can be hosted by any developer who wishes to enhance ChatGPT with their own information.
Although language models are very helpful in many tasks, there are still some limitations. ChatGPT, like many other language models, only can realize and respond to information on its training data. This limitation can lead to many outdated or wrong responses because the information can change quickly nowadays.
As a result, plugins were born to help ChatGPT widen its knowledge. A plugin is able to be “eyes and ears” for ChatGPT, and give this language model a chance to access a wide range of information that isn’t in training data. When prompted by a user, plugins can allow language models to carry out secure and limited actions on their behalf, ultimately enhancing the overall usefulness of the system.
With plugins, it may be possible to address issues with big language models, such as "hallucinations," keeping up with current affairs, and accessing (with permission) exclusive information sources. Language models can improve their responses with references to factual information by incorporating explicit access to external data, such as current information found online, computations based on code, or information retrieved via a specific plugin.
These plugins for ChatGPT not only increase the model's usefulness but also give users the ability to evaluate the output of the model's accuracy and veracity, potentially reducing the risks associated with overreliance as stated in the most recent GPT-4 system card. Last but not least, the utility of plugins may go far beyond fixing current constraints by assisting users with a number of new abilities, such as browsing product catalogs, booking flights, or placing food orders.
In short, beside the important introduction of ChatGPT-4 - which can only be reached to use by upgrading the accounts to ChatGPT Plus, the allowance of ChatGPT plugin is also a significant breakthrough to improve the remaining limitations of ChatGPT.
As mentioned above, OpenAI has developed two plugins, including a web browser and code interpreter. The development team of this company has also open-sourced the code for a knowledge base retrieval plugin. Besides, there are many other third-party plugins that users can refer to.