A lot of folks in my networks have been chatting about OpenAI / ChatGPT -- the latest GPT-3 release. Based on the examples I've been seeing, the coherence level has increased dramatically from previous releases, such that I probably wouldn't be able to distinguish a paper that was substantially written by an AI if a student were to submit it.
Here, for instance is the entirety of the prompt I submitted to ChatGPT:
Write a paper on postcolonial ecocriticism using Amitav Ghosh's Gun Island And here is the text it generated:
Introduction Amitav Ghosh’s Gun Island is a novel that explores the intersection of postcolonial ecocriticism and climate change. The novel follows the story of Deen, a Bengali-American antiques dealer, as he embarks on a journey to uncover the truth behind a mysterious gun-shaped island in the Sunderbans. Along the way, Deen encounters a variety of characters who are all affected by the effects of climate change and the legacy of colonialism. Through these characters, Ghosh examines the ways in which postcolonial ecocriticism can be used to understand the current environmental crisis. This paper will explore the themes of postcolonial ecocriticism in Gun Island, with a particular focus on the ways in which Ghosh uses the novel to critique the legacy of colonialism and its effects on the environment. The Legacy of Colonialism One of the major themes of Gun Island is the legacy of colonialism and its effects on the environment. Ghosh uses the novel to explore the ways in which colonialism has shaped the environment of the Sunderbans, a region of India that was once part of the British Empire. Throughout the novel, Ghosh examines the ways in which colonialism has impacted the environment, from the destruction of mangrove forests to the displacement of local communities. He also examines the ways in which colonialism has shaped the current environmental crisis, highlighting the ways in which the legacy of colonialism has contributed to the current climate crisis. Postcolonial Ecocriticism Ghosh uses the novel to explore the concept of postcolonial ecocriticism, which is the idea that the current environmental crisis is inextricably linked to the legacy of colonialism. Throughout the novel, Ghosh examines the ways in which colonialism has shaped the environment of the Sunderbans, highlighting the ways in which the legacy of colonialism has contributed to the current environmental crisis. He also examines the ways in which postcolonial ecocriticism can be used to understand the current environmental crisis, exploring the ways in which the legacy of colonialism has shaped the current environmental crisis and the ways in which postcolonial ecocriticism can be used to address the current environmental crisis. Conclusion In conclusion, Gun Island is a novel that explores the intersection of postcolonial ecocriticism and climate change. Through the story of Deen, Ghosh examines the ways in which colonialism has shaped the environment of the Sunderbans and the ways in which postcolonial ecocriticism can be used to understand the current environmental crisis. The novel serves as a powerful critique of the legacy of colonialism and its effects on the environment, highlighting the ways in which the legacy of colonialism has contributed to the current environmental crisis and the ways in which postcolonial ecocriticism can be used to address the current environmental crisis.
There are clearly still some glitches here -- a student who submitted this as-is would probably not get an 'A' -- and I would have several question marks and "redundant phrasing" comments in the margins. But it's definitely both impressive and a little concerning how good this is.