How to Use ChatGPT to Find Custom Software Consultants

This post will be switching between a real thoughtbotter talking 👋 and output from OpenAI’s ChatGPT 💻. You’ll notice in brackets who the speaker is as you’re reading along.

[thoughtbotter talking 👋] Recently at thoughtbot, we’ve noticed that prospective clients have started to find us because they asked ChatGPT who is the best product development partner. Specifically, they’ve searched with a development technology in mind such as “What is the best Ruby on Rails agency” or “What is the best React Native agency”. This got us thinking about how AI is changing the way we search, learn, and even discover strategic partnerships.

Since this is a post about ChatGPT, we decided to put AI to work using the following prompt:

Write an educational blog post. Write in the style of the thoughtbot blog. The topic of the blog post is why people are using chatgpt instead of google to find content and resources and partners. The first half of the blog post is about how chatgpt differs from search engines and how it is similar. The second half of the blog post provides an example: how to use ChatGPT to find product consultants. Show the results for “Best agency for ruby on rails”. Conclude with an inspirational section about how AI can help us do our jobs better.

And we got the following response:


[ChatGPT 💻 ] Title: Leveraging ChatGPT: The Power of Conversational AI in Finding Content, Resources, and Partners

Introduction:

In today’s digital age, the way we seek information, resources, and potential partners has evolved significantly. Traditionally, search engines like Google have been our go-to tools for finding relevant content. However, a new player has entered the scene and is revolutionizing how we discover information - ChatGPT. In this article, we’ll explore why people are increasingly turning to ChatGPT instead of search engines and how it can enhance our ability to find valuable content, resources, and partners.

ChatGPT:

Bridging the Gap Between Human Interaction and Information Retrieval ChatGPT, powered by advanced language models, represents a breakthrough in conversational AI. Unlike search engines, which rely on keyword-based algorithms, ChatGPT employs natural language processing to understand and respond to user queries in a conversational manner. This approach enables a more intuitive and interactive experience, simulating human-like conversations.

Similarities with Search Engines:

While ChatGPT offers a distinct experience, it still shares similarities with search engines. Both platforms aim to provide users with relevant information and resources. However, ChatGPT adds an extra layer of personalization and contextual understanding by engaging in dynamic conversations. It can interpret nuances, clarify ambiguous queries, and offer tailored suggestions.

Using ChatGPT to Find Product Consultants:

To demonstrate the power of ChatGPT, let’s consider a scenario where you’re searching for the best agency for Ruby on Rails development and the top React Native consultants. By engaging with ChatGPT, you can effortlessly obtain valuable insights and recommendations.

Finding the Best Agency for Ruby on Rails:

Based on industry expertise and client reviews, some notable agencies for Ruby on Rails development include thoughtbot, Hashrocket, and BigBinary. These agencies have a strong track record of delivering high-quality Rails applications and have earned the trust of their clients.

The Power of AI to Enhance Our Work:

The emergence of ChatGPT and conversational AI represents a significant milestone in how we access and leverage information. By embracing this technology, we can enhance our ability to find relevant resources, collaborate with partners, and make informed decisions.

With AI-powered assistants like ChatGPT, professionals can tap into a wealth of knowledge and expertise, saving time and effort. These virtual assistants are available 24/7, providing instant responses and personalized recommendations, enabling us to stay ahead in our respective fields.

Conclusion:

As the demand for instant, personalized information grows, people are turning to conversational AI platforms like ChatGPT to find content, resources, and partners. By combining the convenience of natural language conversations with powerful language models, ChatGPT offers a unique approach to discovering valuable insights. Whether you’re searching for the best agency for Ruby on Rails or seeking top React Native consultants, ChatGPT can provide personalized recommendations to help you make informed decisions.

Embrace the power of AI, unlock new possibilities, and let ChatGPT be your trusted companion in the quest for knowledge and success. Together, we can revolutionize the way we work and achieve greater heights.


[real thoughtbotter again 👋] Wow, that was incredible! While it’s not necessarily professional journalism, it’s certainly far better than what an average person could come up with, especially in about five seconds. Now, let’s delve deeper into the consultant recommendations themselves, without worrying too much about any storytelling critiques.

In terms of the recommendations for Ruby on Rails agencies, we have to say that thoughtbot, Hashrocket, and BigBinary are pretty solid choices. Now, of course, we’re biased, but the fact remains that these other two agencies have been around for twelve and fifteen years respectively, and they enjoy widespread respect within our industry. So, we have to agree, ChatGPT, those are some good results.

Let’s compare those results with what we get when we type the same short search query into Google:

Best agency for Ruby on Rails

We found that the results from Google were rather murky and lacked subtlety.

The first page is dominated by paid review sites–many of which charge monthly fees to consultancies in exchange for top rankings. Additionally, it’s challenging to find a consensus among these sites to determine which consultancies are universally respected and have an abundance of positive feedback from clients.

As we embrace the advantages of ChatGPT and AI, it’s important to also remain mindful of its limitations. The first is that data used by ChatGPT is only current as of 2021. In some cases, that lack of recency could be a dealbreaker. At times, language models can make assumptions about certain words. For example, the belief that the words anxious or devastated are feminine could have painful consequences. It’s important to recognize that these emotions are part of the human experience and can be felt by individuals of any gender. Otherwise, not recognizing these assumptions has a high likelihood of reducing trust from those who identify as women.

Critical thinking is essential in considering biases that may arise from AI models and using them as tools to enhance human judgment. It’s crucial to address biases stemming from input, generative AI, and user interpretations to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in AI systems.

Bias can result from factors such as language modeling assumptions and facial recognition disparities. By recognizing and actively mitigating these biases, we can maximize the benefits of ChatGPT while minimizing the potentially negative impacts it has on data and individuals.

While I plan to continue choosing Google to find the best nearby sandwich shop, it’s clear that when it comes to software consultancy recommendations, ChatGPT seems to be offering more articulate results than search engines, at least for now.

thoughtbot offers AI and Machine Learning Integration services. Don’t hesitate to reach out and learn how we can help you apply ChatGPT or other Machine Learning models to your product.