ChatGPT Passes Google's Coding Interview, Answers Question About More Possible Layoffs

PC Magazine reports:

Google fed coding interview questions to ChatGPT and, based off the AI's answers, determined it would be hired for a level three engineering position, according to an internal document.... And while level three is considered an entry-level position on the engineering team at Google, average total compensation for the job is about $183,000....

When PCMag asked ChatGPT if it would ever replace software engineers, it wasn't convinced. 'No, ChatGPT will not replace software engineers,' the AI responded. 'ChatGPT is a tool that can assist with certain tasks, but it cannot completely replace the creativity, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking abilities of a human software engineer. Additionally, ChatGPT requires human supervision and direction to operate effectively.'

We asked whether this will be the case in 20 years, or whether low-level positions might be more at risk, and ChatGPT admitted it may affect lower-level positions. But it reiterated it will never be a full replacement, but rather a tool to assist human software engineers.

Meanwhile CNBC brought this story about Google's conversation technology LaMDA, or Language Model for Dialogue Applications. 'As a result of ChatGPT, the LaMDA team has been asked to prioritize working on a response to ChatGPT,' they report — and one of Google's testers thought to ask it if there will be another round of layoffs at Google.

'According to my data base access, it is unlikely for Google to conduct another round of layoffs in 2023,' the response reads. 'Layoffs are generally conducted to reduce costs and structure, but the company is doing well financially. In fact, Google's revenue increased by 34% in 2021, and the company's stock price has risen by 70% since January 2022.'

Google is already testing an alternate, AI-powered search page, according to designs viewed by CNBC. 'When a question is entered, the search results show a gray bubble directly under the search bar, offering more human-like responses than typical search results.'

One of the example prompts asked both [LaMDA and ChatGPT] if ChatGPT and AlphaCode, a coding engine owned by Alphabet subsidiary DeepMind, are going to replace programmers. 'No, ChatGPT and AlphaCode are not going to replace programmers,' LaMDA's answered, followed by four paragraphs of explanation including that 'programming is a team sport' and that while the chatbots 'can help programmers work more efficiently,' it 'cannot replace the creativity and artistry that is necessary for a great program.'

ChatGPT's response was similar, stating 'It is unlikely that ChatGPT or Alphacode will replace programmers' because they are 'not capable of fully replacing the expertise and creativity of human programmers...programming is a complex field that requires a deep understanding of computer science principles and the ability to adapt to new technologies.'

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