Google recently conducted an experiment on its AI chatbots, including ChatGPT, to determine their potential to be hired as software engineers. According to an internal document obtained by CNBC, ChatGPT demonstrated the capability to pass the coding interview for a Level 3 Engineering position, which is considered entry-level at Google, with an average total compensation of approximately $183,000.
The experiment involved presenting ChatGPT with Google’s software engineer interview questions, which mainly focus on technical knowledge and coding ability. The AI was able to surface concise and accurate answers, showcasing its ability to understand complex information and communicate it effectively. This has the potential to save time for users who typically have to navigate through multiple links on Google to find the same information.
While the results of this experiment have raised questions about the future of AI in the engineering industry, it’s important to note that Open AI’s bot is not meant to completely replace human software engineers. Instead, it serves as a tool to assist them in their tasks and make their work more efficient. ChatGPT lacks the creativity, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking abilities that are crucial for software engineers, and it requires human supervision and direction to operate effectively.
How did ChatGPT pass the coding interview?
So, how did ChatGPT manage to pass the coding interview? The answer lies in its training. ChatGPT is a language model developed by OpenAI that has been trained on a vast amount of text data from the internet. This training has allowed it to acquire a vast knowledge base, enabling it to understand and respond to a wide range of questions and requests.
In the case of the coding interview, ChatGPT was able to utilize its training to respond to technical questions and showcase its knowledge of coding concepts and practices. However, it’s worth noting that this experiment only evaluated ChatGPT’s ability to answer technical questions, and did not take into account other important factors such as its ability to work in a team, its adaptability, and its problem-solving skills which will be taken even further with the ChatGPT Plus in near future.
Why is Google so interested in ChatGPT?
Google is interested in Open AI’s bot because of its potential to be a valuable tool for the company. ChatGPT is a language model developed by OpenAI that can generate human-like responses to a wide range of questions. This ability makes it ideal for answering complex questions quickly and accurately, which can save users time compared to searching for answers on Google or other websites.
Google has been testing various AI chatbots to see if they can be integrated into the company’s search engine. In one of the experiments, Google fed coding interview questions to Open AI’s bot and was impressed with its ability to provide high-fidelity answers. The experiment concluded that, based on its answers, ChatGPT would be hired for a level three engineering position at Google.
This has raised questions about the future of engineering jobs, as well as the potential for AI to automate lower-level positions. However, ChatGPT itself has stated that it will not replace human software engineers as it requires human supervision and direction to operate effectively.
Despite this, Google is still interested in ChatGPT as a tool that can assist human software engineers and improve the overall efficiency of its search engine. The company’s ongoing experimentation with AI chatbots demonstrates its commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements in the field.
How good is ChatGPT’s coding skills?
The popular AI bot has been trained on a massive dataset of text, including code examples, so it has some knowledge of programming concepts, syntax, and coding practices. However, it’s important to note that its understanding of coding is not equivalent to that of a human software engineer who has years of experience and hands-on practice.
“While ChatGPT’s ability to answer technical questions in a coding interview is impressive, it is not capable of writing complex code or debugging software. It can help with some coding-related tasks, but it cannot replace the critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and creativity of a software engineer,“
explained Alexey Neklesa, Frontend Developer (GoConsesus).
ChatGPT is trained in a diverse range of text, including programming languages such as Python, Java, JavaScript, C++, C#, PHP, Ruby, Swift, Go, and many more. However, it’s not limited to these and has general knowledge about many other programming concepts, paradigms, and technologies.
In conclusion, while ChatGPT’s coding skills are impressive in some regards, they are limited and cannot fully replace the work of a human software engineer. It can be seen as a tool that can assist with coding tasks, but it still requires human supervision and direction to operate effectively.
