Did you know that ChatGPT has now come to WordPress?
What is ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is an AI-powered language model developed by OpenAI.
It is a state-of-the-art language generation system that can generate human-like text based on the input it receives.
ChatGPT can be used for various applications, including chatbots, language translation, text summarization, blogging and more.
WordPress has added two new AI blocks to the Block editor. You can find them by searching for ‘AI’ in the block search bar.
While both blocks are currently only experimental, some bloggers have already used them. But what do these blocks do? Let’s take a look at them.
AI Paragraph
Open up a new draft post and title it with a question. Then, in the main body of the post, add the AI Paragraph block. Watch as it writes the first few paragraphs for you.
I asked the AI Paragraph block to write about the benefits of leaving comments on blog posts. This was the result.
Interstingly, it stopped midway through a sentence, so I added the block again and got more paragraphs.
Adding the block again, I got more paragraphs from it.
When I added the block for the fourth time, it repeated the text in the previous block.
The AI Paragraph block does exactly what it says it will do – write paragraphs. It won’t write a whole post.
It gives you a few draft paragraphs you can edit and work with. It’s worth noting that this block is currently experimental.
It also works on information contained within a post, which may be why it stopped working after three attempts. If I’d added more text, it would have looked at what I’d added and generated more paragraphs. The more information you give it, the more results you’ll get.
And you don’t need to ask it a question. If you’ve already written a post, add the AI Paragraph block, and it’ll come up with a few more paragraphs.
I also used Grammarly to check for errors and picked up grammar mistakes, suggestions and other errors with the paragraphs the AI block wrote, so it’s not perfect. Here’s what Grammarly picked up.
What’s also interesting about the AI Paragraph block is what WordPress say about it.
So it may be withdrawn at any time. That may happen, but I believe it’ll only be withdrawn so WordPress can improve what it does.
AI Image
Insert the AI Image block into a post and tell it what images you want to see.
I asked the block to show me images of Autumn in the countryside. These are the results it gave me.
I don’t know where the AI image block got these images, so copyright issues could exist.
It may have got the images from the free WordPress Image library, but I’m not sure. I’d recommend using free image websites such as Pixabay.Com in the meantime.
I also found the images not to be the best quality. However, remember that the block is currently only experimental, and it may be possible to improve the quality of images with the software you have on your device.
Another concern is that any images you use from the AI Image block are downloaded to your WordPress media library. Again, this causes concerns regarding copyright issues, but remember too that using images from the block will also take up space in your media library.
And like it’s sister block, the AI Image block could be tweaked or removed at any time by WordPress.
WordPress has left feedback links on both blocks so users can send feedback.
Is there a way of spotting content created by ChatGPT and AI blocks?
Yes, I believe there is. For example, a sudden change in how often a blogger publishes blog posts.
A user who only publishes a blog post once a month may start publishing content more often, maybe weekly or daily. This could be because they use ChatGPT or the AI block to write content. After all, these pieces of software have been created to save users writing time.
A change in the tone of the content a user usually uses in blog posts may also be a clue. I don’t know about you, but I get used to most bloggers’ writing styles. The style can change over time, but when it suddenly changes, it could signify that they’re using ChatGPT or the AI block to generate content.
You may also see a sudden change in the types of content a blogger publishes in a short space of time. Somebody who writes and publishes blog posts about men’s fashion, suddenly publishing content about the benefits of eating porridge, may have used ChatGPT or the AI block to generate the content.
Does it matter if bloggers use ChatGPT or the AI blocks?
Providing the information is engaging, edited, checked for mistakes and accurate, I see no reason why reading bloggers’ blog posts created with the help of ChatGPT or the AI blocks to produce blog content should matter.
If the content is engaging, it’ll make some readers want to comment.
Will ChatGPT and the AI blocks destroy blogging?
No.
While you may find some generated content uninteresting, the content generated by ChatGPT or the AI block may still be engaging.
Likewise, not all bloggers will use ChatGPT or the AI blocks to generate content. However, some may find it helpful when drafting blog posts.
And like reblogging farms (where the majority of content is reblogged posts), ChatGPT farms will also pop up.
Have I used ChatGPT in any of my blog posts?
Yes, once. The three sentences under my question ‘What is ChatGPT’ (at the beginning of this post) were created using ChatGPT.
The only change I made to the answer the ChatGPT bot gave me was to add the word ‘blogging’ to the last sentence.
Will I use ChatGPT again?
I may use it when I have a question. It acts like Google or other search engines, although only gives one answer. But I won’t use it to write whole blog posts.
Should I feel guilty for using ChatGPT or the AI blocks?
No. After all, many of us use Grammarly or other writing software to check for spelling, grammar and other mistakes. So my published articles have already been created with help from other sources. Likewise, by doing research, I’m getting help writing posts.
What is the future of the AI blocks on WordPress?
Given that ChatGPT is already making a breakthrough, I have no doubt that WordPress (as well as other companies) will use it and offer users ChatGPT blocks.
However, they may charge for using these blocks or make them free to use on specific plans. For example, the blocks may be free to use on the WordPress Premium plan but at additional costs on their free plans. Then again, these blocks may be free to use for all users.
Once the WordPress developers are happy with the performance, these blocks will get a permanent home on WordPress.
What about you? Are you afraid of ChatGPT? When drafting your blog posts, will you use ChatGPT or the WordPress AI blocks? Are you already using them? What have the results been? Why wouldn’t you use them? Do you think ChatGPT and the AI blocks will destroy the art of blogging and writing?
Join the discussion by leaving a comment that I can respond to with more than a ‘thank you.’
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Hugh's Views & News 
Hi Hugh, Linda shared this post with me. I appreciate you showing us how it worked for you. I’m in the group of people that think that AI is risky and without human discernment can be misleading. It’s a little less like using say Grammarly. AI writes it for us, and Grammarly suggests a ‘better’ way to say what we already said on the page. As you said, though, we can always override it. I hope AI doesn’t take away the true voices of those who got into blogging to share their voice in the blogosphere. (PS – I ignored the Grammarly suggestions WP underlined in my comments. 🤣😂😉
AI on WordPress has changed a lot since I wrote and published this post, Shelley. For example, the AI Image block is no longer available.
I agree that those that use AI to write whole blog posts will lose their voices and style of writing. However, I don’t see any harm in using AI to help improve our writing. I see it as I do Grammarly or other writing software. You can accept the suggestions, edit them or ignore them. I’ve found using AI has helped me especially when I have forgotten to add a vital part of the subject I’m writing about. I would not use it to write a whole post, though.
Thanks for the clarifications Hugh.
I smiled at your description of how you’d use AI to help enhance your blogging experience. The world of writing has certainly changed, gone are the days of learning to draft an outline, searching the card files at the library, grabbing the #2 pencil, a clean sheet of paper, and writing to our hearts content to create a masterpiece. Graded by a teacher who either taught us well or thinks we’ve failed.
😉🤔
Yes, times have certainly changed in the world of writing, Shelley. And if we do not keep up with the changes, we’ll get left behind.
Thanks, Hugh. I’m of a certain age and a historical reenactor. I got hooked when I asked AI to write an award in the style of Beowulf, then in 15th C heraldry talk. It was spot on. In fact, my friends and I wondered where it got the motoe. We couldn’t find it ourselves. So we asked ChatGPT. It replied to Wikipedia. We all said “Duh”.
Jehanne, I’m amazed by what AI can do, even if it goes to Wikipedia. But I do fear that some writers will become very lazy with their writing.
I’ve found AI beneficial, but I don’t want any of my writing to lose me. I think your audience gets used to your writing style, and while it may change as we write more, a sudden change isn’t always good.
I confess it is difficult for me to write a friendly sounding post. My own style sounds like a lawyer or professor wrote it. So I write the info and have AI help with the tone.
I don’t think there is anything wrong with that, Jehanne. After all, I use Grammerly for spell and grammar check.
Unfortunately, your comment went straight to my spam folder. Not sure why, but you may like to check it’s not happening with other comments you’re leaving on other blogs. If it is, let WordPress know. They can fix the problem.
Thank you for the heads up.
Hey Hugh,
Great post and view on the subject. AI has come a decent ways in the last year or two. But at that, I’ve found that it’s never the be all end all. It has a long way to go before it can do what a human can do.
But with that, It may be sooner than later. Amazing where technology has gone in such little time.
Great read, take care and have a good one!
Jay
Thank you, Jay.
I heard over the weekend that some people want to pause the development of AI for six months because they are concerned about what it can do. I can see both the good and bad sides of it. I hope we humans can find the right balance before it’s too late (either way).
Thanks for joining the discussion.
Hey Hugh,
Totally agree, I also was reading about the possible pause. Guess we’ll see as there should be a period of adjustment at least.
Take care.
Jay
I read this post the day you published it and ended up saving it. It was the very first time I had heard of this AI chat thing, I had no idea it existed before then. My curiosity got to me so I decided to try it out, just for fun. I was surprised how accurate it was on the question I entered. I probably won’t ever use it again because I like writing in my own words and things that are on my mind. It is a little scary how far technology has gotten.
I agree that it looks a little scary, but I’ve heard from writers who tell me how it has helped them write. I’ve used it a couple of times but did not use what it wrote. I may do in the future, though.
Hi Hugh,
Congrats. You won the Linky Party and will be featured on my site tomorrow.
I could not find the AI Paragraph as an option. Is it because I use WordPress.org?
I would be interested in reading your post about the JetPack app.
Janice
Thanks for the fantastic news, Janice.
Yes, it could be that it’s only available to WordPres.Com users or that they’re testing it out on their site before it becomes available to other bloggers. I’m sure we’ll be seeing much more about ChatGPT and AI in the blogging world.
Here’s a link to the post I did about the Jetpack App.
https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2023/02/20/should-i-switch-to-the-new-jetpack-app-or-stay-with-the-wordpress-app/
All this AI is very interesting, but I am leary of it and not 100% sure if it’s a good thing, but time will tell. Thanks for sharing on SSPS and I have share on SM
Like anything new, people are always wary of new things, Esmé. Some think AI and ChatGPT are the doorways to a brave, new writing world.
Thanks for sharing.
I do find this interesting because I had no idea chatgpt was in WordPress already. That doesn’t mean I’m going to use it LOL. For starters, I don’t even use the Gutenberg editor!
Regardless, as I’ve been learning about chatGPT, I’ve realized that it’s not something to draft anything and everything with, but to supplement writing with.
So that’s how I’ll be using it. Don’t get me wrong, I did try to draft 2000+ word articles with it… some of them were nice and some weren’t. But just like any content that gets created, it has to be fact checked. Plus, with the creation of robot checkers like “originality ai”, now it has to be modified to not sound like a robot.
Now to your question… I did worry about AI taking over content. But there will always be a marker for human written content because while AI can imitate it, it still drops the ball with the emotional connection it needs.
So I don’t see AI as an end all be all, but if it gets as good as human written content… then things could get scary.
I agree that ChatGPT and these new AI blocks are a supplement to help us with our writing (if needed).
I like the AI paragraph block but would only use it if I felt a post lacked something. And I’d certainly proofread and edit whatever it wrote for me. Robots can make mistakes, just like humans can.
Thank you for joining the discussion and adding your thoughts.
This was pretty incredible to read about Hugh. I had heard ChatGPT mentioned on a talk show a short time ago, but to see how it works is amazing. I don’t think I’ll use it because most of my posts are recaps of walks I’ve taken; the rest are in conjunction with the major holidays, so thankfully, I’ve not got writer’s block (in fact I write too long of posts). I’ll take it for a test drive tomorrow to see what it comes up with. Amazing tech world we live in today.
I’m sure the AI paragraph block will be helpful to some bloggers, Linda. However, I heard that WordPress is going to charge for using them.
I would not recommend anyone using the AI Image block until the copyright issues have been sorted.
That’s interesting to know Hugh. I heard one of our major banks (Chase Bank) here in the U.S. was going to forbid the use of ChatGPT in the workplace. I wonder in what capacity? Writing reports? Writing a company newsletter?
Many companies already use ChatGPT, Linda. Unfortunately, they have replaced employees with robots. I wonder how much further it will go. By the time my ‘best by’ date comes up, I think it’ll all still be unravelling. Many years ago, it was people on production lines in factories. Now many of them have already been replaced with robots.
I didn’t realize that companies used ChatGPT Hugh. I guess young people, unless they’ve studied for the medical or computer fields, may indeed worry for their future. I have a Mass Communications degree in Print Journalism (1978), but because the market was flooded with journalists after investigative reporters Woodward and Bernstein uncovered the Watergate scandal, there were no jobs to be had when I graduated. I never found a job to use my degree.
I did know that production lines in factories do well with robots – they don’t have to pay benefits for the workers, they never call in sick and it used to be they had a “spare” person to be available if someone on the production line was absent that day. Now a robot fills in. We have robots making deliveries from local sandwich shops and pizza places to campuses, where the students place their orders and don’t even have to go pick their food up. [I apologize for responding late to this and your other comment – we had a bad ice storm in our state Wednesday. I did not lose power as I have a generator but I lost my internet from Thursday a.m. until today.]
No need to appoligse, Linda. I’ve heard about the bad weather in North America.
Robots will certainly take more control of our everyday lives, meaning we will have more free time. But people still need to work so they can enjoy that free time. I hope a perfect balance is found.
Thanks Hugh … well we had more freezing rain yesterday which caused a problem with my internet, messing up my workday and by the time I left work, I was stressed and started to tackle comments/replies and just couldn’t, so I am doing it this morning before I start work. I could use a robot helper right now … for work. I am also having issues with my blog and the Happiness Engineers suggested clearing my WP cache … I will do this tonight. I should have reached out to you to ask if you recommend this or have a post, or maybe I can search on your help posts tab. Terri Webster Schrandt and I discussed recent WP issues and she mentioned she has an older theme, as do I … I certainly hope I do not have to change the theme. I also am running Windows 7 … I have a Windows 10 laptop, but have stuck with Windows 7 as I can remote into work where we have Windows 10. It is more my comfort zone to be honest.
Unfortunately, WordPress is retiring more of the older themes, Linda. They’ll continue working, but if any problems occur, there will no longer be any support. So I’m afraid there may come a time when you’ll have to change themes unless WordPress continues to support the one you are using. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.
Thanks Hugh – I hope so too. I picked the easiest theme when I set out ten years ago this month. The only things I have tweaked over the years is adding a few widgets and a photo gallery of fifty favorite shots, which I’ve not updated since I put it on there. I was hoping I wouldn’t need to change to a new theme until I was retired and able to devote a lot of time to it, but, as you say, it may be out of my hands.