Are you ready to take your AI collaboration skills to the next level? If so, then you’re in the right place! In this article, we’ll explore the exciting world of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and how we can use metaphors to enhance our understanding and use of their capabilities. By adopting new mental models and metaphors, we can unlock endless possibilities for innovation and productivity. So get ready to dive in and discover how you can transform your collaboration with LLMs, whether you’re using them for engineering, marketing, writing, or any other field.

As we dive into the world of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, it’s important to keep in mind that our mental models and metaphors shape our understanding and experience of reality. Basically, the way we think about things affects how we interact with LLMs and how we use their capabilities.

Metaphors are like the secret sauce to enhancing our mental models. They help us conceptualize abstract or complex ideas by relating them to more familiar experiences. Think of it like comparing an LLM to a “digital assistant” or a “virtual teammate.” These metaphors can greatly influence our expectations and behavior when working with LLMs, either for better or for worse.

In this article, we’ll explore how to use metaphors to improve our collaboration with LLMs like ChatGPT. We’ll even dive into two fun and exciting metaphorical lenses: “ChatGPT as a coach” and “ChatGPT as an accountability buddy.”

Metaphors are powerful tools that shape our understanding and behavior. Lakoff and Johnson’s book “Metaphors We Live By” provides numerous examples of how metaphors influence our thinking and perception of the world. For instance, the “argument as war” versus “argument as dance” metaphor shapes how we approach conflicts. If we view an argument as a war, we tend to perceive our conversational partner as an enemy and become defensive. But if we see an argument as a dance, we work collaboratively to create something beautiful and harmonious, just like on “Dancing with the Stars.”

Other examples of metaphors include “time as a commodity” or “love as a journey.” The former suggests that time is something to be spent, wasted, or saved, while the latter suggests that love is a path to follow, with ups and downs and unexpected turns.

Metaphors are like the secret sauce to enhancing our mental models. They help us conceptualize abstract or complex ideas by relating them to more familiar experiences.

In my talk “Metaphors We Create By” in 2019, I explored the power of metaphors in shaping our beliefs and behaviors and how we can use this understanding to improve our communication and relationships. By being aware of the metaphors we use, we can start to shift our perspectives and create more positive and productive interactions with others.

Our mental models and metaphors also play a significant role in how we work with large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT. They influence o