_Can the AI platform everyone is talking about address Singapore’s workplace needs?

There has been a loud buzz about Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform ChatGPT, which can generate content and write computer code based on questions asked. Debuting in late November, it quickly became a viral sensation.

Intrigued, we decided to try it ourselves, feeding it three specific questions for input. Here’s what we learned.

Question #1: Explain the concept of “activity-based working” in a way my 5-year-old would understand.

ChatGPT: Activity-based working" is like having different rooms in your house for different things you do. Instead of always working in one room, you get to pick a different room depending on what you're doing. Like if you're reading a book, you can go to the quiet room. If you're playing with your friends, you can go to the playroom. And if you're taking a break, you can go to the cozy room. It makes it more fun and you get more things done!

We’re suitably impressed with that reply. With relevant prompts, we believe you can mine very interesting data, which can be very useful in a business context. However, our expectation from AI extends beyond paraphrasing what we already know; rather, we can leverage its capabilities to use it as a proper assistant for consultancy work. We aim to co-create ideas with ChatGPT, brainstorm, generate solutions and connect the dots, basically use it. 

We decided to pose a more challenging question.

Question #2: Write me a code that converts textual content to office floor plan design.

ChatGPT: It is possible to write a code that can generate an office floor plan design based on textual input. Here’s an example using a simple Python script:

It seems ChatGPT is able to provide creative solutions with regards to detailed office planning. Not only are we able to put some sort of structure into our thinking which is the first step to blueprinting, it is clear that certain considerations were taken into account. These include advice on space types and unit sizes based on best practice (for example, 150 sq ft for executive office).

Also, ChatGPT seeds hope for the further development of AI for architectural purposes in terms of ‘text-to-layout’ commands. This would have been a dream come true for legendary architect of modernism, the late Walter Gropius; he used to verbalise his ideas to his assistant and see them come to life instead of him sketching any layout. 

Impressed, we challenged ourselves to rephrase our earlier question to provide more specific data or instructions, to see what solution ChatGPT would present us with.

Question #3: I need to design an office for a company, mainly consisting of sales functions. The office will be located in the CBD of Singapore and employees will have the right to practice 1 day WFH on average. The design of the office should include 1 CEO room, 40 workstations, 1 pantry, 1 reception, 1 small store room, several filing cabinets and some circulation space. How much space do I require?

ChatGPT: In total, the new office would require a minimum of around 700-975 square feet (65-91 square meters) of space, depending on the specific sizes and layouts of the individual areas. This is just a rough estimate, and it is always advisable to consult with a professional designer or architect to get a more accurate assessment of the space requirements for your specific office design.

It's worth noting that as your employees have the right to practice 1 day WFH on average, you may be able to reduce the number of workstations required in the office. This could potentially save on space and costs. However, it's important to consider the needs and preferences of your employees, as well as the specific requirements of your business, when determining the optimal mix of on-site and remote work.

Interestingly, this little exercise revealed one of chinks in ChatGPT’s armour - potentially opening up opportunities for us and ChatGPT to "communicate" or rather to interact with us. Recommending a 700-975 sq ft space for a new office was mind-boggling, since that is only as good as a boardroom or a pantry! Despite the detailed prompts, ChatGPT failed to size the right amount of space for the total office. 

It left us pondering whether its AI capabilities were programmed to make sense of the context of the issue, and effectively understand how people use spaces in totality, as opposed to just summing the numbers in a simple math exercise.

The verdict: Overall, ChatGPT is a great productivity tool. But like any other new tool, we need to learn how to use it effectively and ethically. 

It has its learning curve too, and we need to help eradicate the misuse examples by Open AI. Case in point: the recent news about the alleged exploitation of a Kenya-based data labeling team who were paid less than $2 per hour.

Among ChatGPT’s limitations, we see the standout being its lack of empathy and failure to be part of engaging empathetic arguments. Workplace issues are complex, anchored by factors ranging from human to business to design and construction. Well thought-through, relevant and effective solutions are essential. 

As real estate consultants, ChatGPT can be a useful tool but is in its infancy stages, it’s fair to say its organisation and curation abilities remain lacking. For whatever reason ChatGPT falls short in its ability to look at these factors remains unknown. 

Yet we agree it will never replace humans,  and gives us reason to be hopeful that we can enjoy and activate machine learning to our benefit, as more sophisticated replies with a credible subtext remain possibilities on the horizon. 

As the ChatGPT juggernaut continues to gather steam, what lies ahead for its users? For a start,we could consider aiming for better phrased questions to generate ideas, and manage our expectations so we avoid relying on the platform to construct opinions.