The rise of Artificial Intelligence - Are the robots taking over?

 A bit off topic today, but I thought I would talk about something that has intrigued me of late, that is related to this blog, but not necessarily to Wargaming specifically. I recently saw an advert for an app that would "revolutionise" blogging and "generate content for your blog" basically, write blog entries for you. Using AI to generate blog posts on whatever topic you choose. The idea being, you generate the posts, set your computer to automatically publish them, then add adverts and reap the income. Yep, I don't think that is going to work.

A couple of weeks later I was chatting to a colleague about AI and specifically ChatGPT. In my day job I write code scripts to manipulate large volumes of computer files and a colleague mentioned that a ChatGPT has been tested at writing code for various tasks. (Note ChatGPT is not responsible for that specific advert I first saw). The results don't always work, if you ask ChatGPT to write a script it needs to understand the nuances of the language you use to interpret your need, I tried a couple of examples that didn't work at all. My day job is safe for now.

The conversation did remind of the blog advert though, so I thought I would ask ChatGPT to write me an article and here is the result:

Sure, here's an article teaching someone how to choose a wargame scale and period:

Choosing a Wargame Scale and Period: A Beginner's Guide

Wargaming is a popular hobby that allows players to recreate historical, fantasy or science fiction battles on the tabletop. One of the first decisions you'll need to make as a beginner is choosing the scale and period of your wargame. In this guide, we'll cover the basics of choosing a wargame scale and period.

Scale

The first decision you need to make is choosing a scale. The scale refers to the size of the miniatures and terrain used in the game. There are several popular scales, including:

• 6mm: These miniatures are the smallest and are used for large battles on a grand scale. They require less space and are relatively inexpensive, but details can be difficult to see.
• 15mm: These miniatures are slightly larger than 6mm and are still used for large battles, but with more detail visible. They require more space than 6mm but are still relatively inexpensive.
• 28mm: These miniatures are the most popular and are used for smaller skirmishes and individual battles. They are highly detailed but require more space and can be more expensive.

Consider the size of your gaming space and budget when choosing a scale. Also, consider the era you want to recreate, as certain scales may be more appropriate for specific time periods.

Period

The next decision you need to make is choosing a period. This refers to the historical, fantasy or science fiction setting of your game. Here are some popular periods to consider:

• Ancient: Ancient wargames cover the time period from the Bronze Age to the fall of Rome. They involve battles between armies of the Greeks, Romans, Persians, and other ancient civilizations.
• Medieval: Medieval wargames cover the period from the fall of Rome to the Renaissance. They involve battles between knights, infantry, and archers.
• Napoleonic: Napoleonic wargames cover the period of the Napoleonic Wars in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. They involve battles between armies of the French, British, Prussians, and other European nations.
• World War I and II: These wargames cover the two world wars and involve battles between armies of various nations.
• Fantasy: Fantasy wargames involve battles between armies of mythical creatures, such as elves, dwarves, and orcs.
• Science Fiction: Science fiction wargames involve battles between armies of futuristic soldiers, aliens, and robots.

Consider your interests and knowledge when choosing a period. You may be more familiar with a particular era, or you may have a particular interest in fantasy or science fiction.

Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing a wargame scale and period is an important decision for beginners. Consider the size of your gaming space, budget, and interests when choosing a scale. Also, consider the era you want to recreate when choosing a period. With some research and consideration, you can choose a scale and period that will provide you with many hours of enjoyable wargaming.

 I think you'll agree its accurate but maybe a little dry? I tried again and asked it to make something funny:

Sure, here's a funny article about wargaming:

Wargaming: The Hobby Where Your Army Always Wins

If you're tired of losing at board games and video games, it's time to take up wargaming. With wargaming, your army always wins - because you get to make up the rules! That's right, in wargaming, you are the master of your own battlefield, and you get to decide who lives, who dies, and who gets to eat pizza while everyone else fights.

But before you dive into the world of wargaming, there are a few things you should know. For starters, your army should have a theme. Are you going for a medieval vibe? A sci-fi setting? A bunch of teddy bears with rocket launchers? The choice is yours, and the more ridiculous the better. Remember, wargaming is all about having fun.

Once you've decided on your army, it's time to create your battlefield. This can be as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be. You can use a basic mat, or you can create a full-scale replica of Helm's Deep. The choice is yours. Just remember, the more time you spend on your battlefield, the less time you have for actual wargaming.

Now it's time to start playing. Remember, you are the master of your own battlefield, so feel free to make up rules as you go along. Did your opponent just roll a six and take out your favorite unit? No problem, just declare that unit invincible and keep playing. Did you forget to set up a crucial piece of terrain? No problem, just declare that your army can fly over it.

The best part of wargaming is the camaraderie. You get to spend hours with your friends, strategizing and laughing and munching on pizza. But be warned, wargaming can also be a dangerous hobby. You might start to think you're a medieval warrior or a space marine or a teddy bear with a rocket launcher. You might find yourself talking in a fake British accent or using phrases like "for the glory of the Emperor!" in everyday conversation. But that's all part of the fun.

In conclusion, wargaming is the perfect hobby for anyone who wants to win at everything. With wargaming, you get to make up the rules, create your own battlefield, and spend time with your friends. So what are you waiting for? Grab your teddy bears and your rocket launchers and get to wargaming!

Personally I am a little offended by this attempt, the only parts I can see trying to be funny are the mentions of teddy bears and fake british accents. Make up the rules as you go along? This AI has obviously not seen the volumes of rulebooks creaking on my bookshelves.

In conclusion (hang on is this entire article AI generated?) I think bloggers can feel safe that they are not being replaced just yet. OpenAI who create ChatGPT  do clearly state that this is all an experiment and there will be some strange results still. It's a great idea and I commend them for letting the internet community play with their sandbox. I just hope they don't give it access to any Cyberdyne systems model 101's just yet.