• LLMs as a text to data interface
  • LLMs as a text to data interface

LLMs as a text to data interface

OK, that's a very technical title, but the idea is actually quite simple.  Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT are particularly good at bridging the gap between the way we naturally speak and the way computers like to share information. For example you can explain how you'd like a computer program to work and ChatGPT can respond with some workable code to run the program. 

But this is only one of a myriad uses.  I see this as way of translating across a large number of fissures in our communication.  A simple example is explaining what a color looks like.  I can describe a color to ChatGPT in my own words and it will respond with the code necessary to generate that color.  I can even ask it to build a pleasing palette around that color.  I can use any description I like, such as color theory (compliments or harmonic colors) or hex values, but I can also be utterly subjective ('Show me the colors of a depressing Monday morning'.)

I'm seeing this as the tip of quite a large iceberg.  How about custom digital clothing design where a customer describes an outfit and the LLM responds with a fabric pattern that can then be automatically generated in Marvellous Designer? This could get seriously fun.