ChatGPT-5 - A Few Examples to Temper Over-Enthusiasm (And Warn Students)
A US Map, "blueberry" spelling, and caution with blindly embracing "improvements"
As we prepare for Fall semester, here are some fun examples to share with students. Just a couple of experiments that I performed when prompting the new, ChatGPT 5, which was released yesterday.
When prompted to draw a map of the United Sates, it looks like GPT got drunk by the time it reached WV, Detroit, Charlotte & Pittsburgh. Monty Python fans must live north of Mass & want a shrubbery. Lions named things in the far northeast. A cat walked across the keyboard in NJ & MD. Someone, please give Denver a sweater. And, well, Delaware is pretty used to being forgotten, but yes, Hawaii is still a state.
And here are experiments comparing results from ChatGPT-4o…
…with the “upgraded” ChatGPT-5
And on a personal note: Any faculty using the multi-award winning textbook, “Information Systems: A Manager’s Guide to Harnessing Technology” should note that version 11 will be available shortly from my publisher, Flat World (note, at this time the link to v.11 isn’t on, so I’ve linked to v. 10.1 above. You can email sales@flatworld.com to be sure you’re on an annoucement list. This version includes a “hands-on” AI supplement with exercise and ideas for evaluating AI, prompting LLMs, and “vibe coding”. You’ll also see updates in many of the other chapters, as well. I remain thrilled the text is my publisher’s best seller and has reached well over 450 institutions. If you’re a faculty member who hasn’t tried the text - you can access free digital copies online. There are embedded YouTube videos in most sub-sections, allowing for even more student engagement, preparation, and topic excitement. And for faculty and independent learners, also note that my online course lessons are continually updated. You can find my SwiftUI course lessons at: https://bit.ly/prof-g-swiftui - a channel that has surpassed 1 million views & is closing in on 10,000 subscribers. I’ve also moved content for my electronics programming course: “Physical Computing: Art, Robotics, and Tech for Good” to a new channel https://YouTube.com/@BuildWithProfG. You can find the entire semester’s playlist at: https://bit.ly/circuitpython-school. Also check the channel for additional playlists & projects. Enjoy!
Prof. John Gallaugher teaches technology and business in the Carroll School of Management at Boston College. Prof. Gallaugher is an Apple Distinguished Educator, was named a “Most Popular Faculty Member” in BusinessWeek, and was named “Guru to Grads” by Entrepreneur Magazine. His award winning textbook on technology and business has been used in courses at over 450 universities. Prof. Gallaugher’s course lectures on building apps in SwiftUI and in building hardware projects in CircuitPython are available free to all via YouTube. You’ll also find additional educational material, including course slides and exercises, at gallaugher.com. If you use his material, let him know! But please don’t ask him to review your startup pitch deck or app - he’s too busy creating impactful content and experimenting with new ways to more effectively teach his brilliant students and help other faculty.