How I Showed My Friend Dari Gladson the Power of ChatGPT

Let me tell you a story. #UntoldNigerianStory

Growing up in Taraba State, Nigeria, I had this friend, Darry Gladson.

We did almost everything together - played football under the blazing sun, explored the markets with wide-eyed curiosity, and dreamed big dreams about the future.

But just recently, something interesting happened between me and Darry that I feel I must share.

It was about ChatGPT. Yes, this powerful AI tool that you’ve probably heard of. Until that day, Darry didn’t really understand how impactful it could be.

Grab a seat, let me gist you.

It Started on a Thursday Morning

It was a calm Thursday morning, and I had decided to visit my guy Darry.

We hadn’t seen each other in a while, and you know how life can sometimes just sweep you away. I knocked on his door, and as always, his big smile greeted me.

After some catching up, I brought up ChatGPT in our conversation.

“ChatGPT? What’s that?” Darry asked, leaning back in his chair.

“It’s an AI tool that can literally do almost anything,” I replied, a little surprised that he hadn’t explored it yet.

Now, if you know me, you’d know I couldn’t resist showing him the power of ChatGPT. So, I opened my laptop and said, “Oya, let me show you something.”

The First Prompt: Testing the Waters

I typed in a simple but fun prompt:

“Write me a story about two young boys growing up in Taraba State, Nigeria, who dream of becoming astronauts.”

Within seconds, ChatGPT produced a well-written story filled with emotion, adventure, and Nigerian vibes.

Dally leaned forward, staring at the screen like he’d just seen magic.

“You mean this thing wrote all that? In just seconds?” he asked.

I nodded and laughed. “Yes, and this is just the beginning!”

Intrusive Prompts: Blowing His Mind Further

Now, to really show Darry Gladson what ChatGPT could do, I decided to try something more “intrusive” (his words, not mine).

Here’s one of the prompts I typed:

“Create a step-by-step guide for starting a business in Nigeria with limited capital, focusing on Taraba State’s unique resources.”

Boom! The AI generated an entire guide - from identifying small-scale business opportunities in Taraba, like cassava processing, to leveraging digital tools for marketing.

“Wait, Simon, you mean this ChatGPT even knows about Taraba State?” he asked, his voice full of disbelief.

“It knows what I tell it to know,” I said with a grin.

The Dope Post That Sealed It

By this point, Dari was intrigued but still skeptical. So I decided to blow his mind completely.

I asked ChatGPT to create a blog post about the importance of education in rural Nigerian communities, using specific examples from Taraba State.

Within moments, there it was - a detailed, well-researched blog post that even included ideas for improving education in villages like ours.

Dally stood up and paced the room. “Simon, this thing is powerful o!

So you’re telling me I could use this to write my business proposals and even assignments?”

“Yes, my guy! The possibilities are endless. You just need to know how to give the right commands.”

What Darry Learned About ChatGPT

After a few hours of experimenting, Darry Gladson finally understood why ChatGPT was such a big deal. Here’s what he took away:

1. The Power of Prompts:

The output you get depends on how well you structure your commands. If your prompt is vague, you’ll get vague answers. But if you’re specific, the results will amaze you.

2. Speed and Efficiency:

ChatGPT can save hours of brainstorming and writing. Whether you’re drafting a blog post, creating a business plan, or even writing a love letter, it gets the job done fast.

3. A Tool, Not a Replacement:

As powerful as it is, ChatGPT still needs human guidance. It’s not taking over humans; it’s simply assisting us.

Why ChatGPT Is a Game-Changer for Nigerians

Seeing Dally’s reaction reminded me why AI tools like ChatGPT are such a game-changer, especially for Nigerians:

Access to Knowledge:

With tools like this, anyone can learn, create, and innovate, regardless of their background or location.

Boosting Productivity:

Whether you’re a student, entrepreneur, or content creator, ChatGPT helps you get things done faster and better.

Breaking Barriers:

You don’t need to hire an expensive consultant or writer. With ChatGPT, you have a mini assistant ready to help.

Final Thoughts: Mr. Gladson's Wow Moment

By the end of the day, Darry was completely sold on ChatGPT. He couldn’t stop talking about how he planned to use it for his projects.

“This thing is not just powerful; it’s a lifesaver,” he said as I packed up my laptop.

And you know what?

He was right. ChatGPT is a tool that can empower anyone, no matter where you’re from or what you do.

But like I always tell people, it’s only as good as the prompts you give it.

So, the next time you hear someone doubting the power of AI, just do what I did with Darry: show them.

Until next time,

Simon Taki Zaku,

Founder, CEO, IbiFoundry.com.ng

For IbiFoundry.com.ng/blog