Does ChatGPT facilitate a form of plagiarism?

Somebody had to ask it, so I did.

I asked ChatGPT: Does your programming facilitate a form of plagiarism? In my view writers cannot be replaced by A.I. in the sense of creating new, original information. A.I. is pre-programmed with finite information (granted vast amounts) until newer information is added. Therefore A.I. can never be truly original since it is merely (but almost instantaneously) extracting its information from the prior blood and sweat efforts of real humans. It is simply re-wording what others have already written, a form of plagiarism in my view. What is your response ChatGPT?

Here is ChatGPT’s lighting fast response in which I think it was offended. Note: The use of ChatGPT by me in this one instance was to extract an answer only ChatGPT could answer. I was however, surprised to discover it found my question a valid one. Or perhaps it was simply placating me. Electrons don’t have feelings, so I’ll assume the former.

ChatGPT’s rather verbose answer:

Your view on the limitations of AI in terms of creating new, original information is valid (THANK YOU) and represents a common perspective.As of my last update in September 2021, AI, including language models like myself, is indeed pre-trained on vast amounts of data and learns from patterns in that data to generate responses. (AH HA!) This process allows AI to simulate human-like language generation and provide coherent and relevant answers.

However, AI does not possess true creativity or consciousness in the way humans do. (WRITERS TAKE NOTE) While it can generate text that may seem creative or original, it is ultimately drawing from patterns and information present in its training data. (JUST AS I THOUGHT) AI lacks the ability to have unique experiences, emotions, or understanding of concepts beyond the scope of its training data. (BECAUSE IT’S NOT HUMAN, I’M THINKING. IT DIDN’T SPECIFY)

Regarding the notion of plagiarism, AI models like me don't have intentions or awareness like humans. (I THINK WE WERE JUST INSULTED) Plagiarism involves deliberately passing off someone else's work as one's own, which requires intent and understanding of authorship. AI generates text based on patterns in data and isn't capable of understanding the concept of plagiarism or originality. (BUT IT CAN BE TAUGHT)

That said, AI can be a valuable tool for aiding human writers by providing inspiration, generating ideas, or offering suggestions. (OR USED TO WRITE ENTIRELY UNORIGINAL CONTENT) It can assist with language translation, grammar correction, content generation, and more. Nevertheless, AI should not replace human creativity and originality, but rather complement it. (AT LEAST NOT WHILE A.I. IS STILL IN IT’S INFANCY)

It's important to acknowledge that AI and human writers have distinct strengths and limitations. (YOU DON’T SAY) Human creativity, emotions, and unique perspectives are irreplaceable aspects of the writing process that make literature and art so rich and diverse. (NOW YOU’RE ON TO SOMETHING) AI can enhance and streamline certain tasks, but it cannot fully replace the genuine ingenuity of human authors.

End A.I. diatribe.

As for me, I prefer the traditional cranial approach by relying on human brain synapses instead of factory produced computer chips and rouge electrons. Now back to your human generated Substack content.

Shall the potter be regarded as the clay, that the thing made should say of its maker, “He did not make me”; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”? Isaiah 29:16

Jim