Is ChatGPT Capable of Summarizing Books?

Published Date: 7/08/2024

Using artificial intelligence to summarize a book's main concepts, lessons, and wisdom. Can it replace reading?

As a book lover with a growing reading list, I wanted to explore the possibility of using artificial intelligence to summarize the key points from a business productivity book. I chose Cal Newport's 'Deep Work' and decided to test the capabilities of ChatGPT, one of the best-known text prompt chat tools.

To get started, I set some parameters for my experiment. I didn't want a superficial summary, but rather deep insights into Newport's big ideas, arguments, strategies, and frameworks regarding deep work. I wanted to apply these insights to my freelance business.I began by asking ChatGPT if it had access to the whole book. Unfortunately, it doesn't have access to full manuscripts due to plagiarism and intellectual property concerns. I then found a 6-hour audiobook YouTube clip, but ChatGPT couldn't use it to summarize the book.

Next, I asked ChatGPT to summarize the book based on the over 32,000 reviews on Amazon. While it provided some insights, they were mostly generic and didn't offer any breakthrough ideas. To apply more pressure, I asked follow-up questions, which eventually led to some helpful insights, such as the concept of batching shallow work. However, I still had to use Google to fact-check and get more context.

I realized that using ChatGPT to summarize a book requires spending at least 30 minutes browsing reader summaries and using those ideas to frame your prompts. This inevitably takes away from your potential deep work time.While ChatGPT can provide some helpful insights, it's still not as good as reading the book yourself. Additionally, since ChatGPT doesn't have access to the actual book, you may not even be getting accurate key points.

 Ultimately, whether using an AI summary defeats the purpose of a book about deep work is up for debate. As a writer, I value the process of reading and absorbing information, and I'm not sure AI can replicate that experience.Experimenting with ChatGPT was an interesting exercise, but it reinforced the importance of reading and engaging with ideas in a more personal and introspective way.

FAQS:

Q: Can ChatGPT summarize a book for me?

A: Yes, but it requires some effort and guidance on your part. You need to provide context and frame your prompts to get the most out of ChatGPT.

Q: Does ChatGPT have access to the actual book?

A: No, ChatGPT doesn't have access to full manuscripts due to plagiarism and intellectual property concerns.

Q: How accurate is ChatGPT's summary?

A: The accuracy of ChatGPT's summary depends on the quality of the reviews and summaries available online. It's possible that the key points may not be entirely accurate.

Q: Can I use ChatGPT to replace reading a book?

A: While ChatGPT can provide some helpful insights, it's not a replacement for reading a book. The experience of reading and engaging with ideas in a personal and introspective way is valuable.

Q: How long does it take to get a good summary from ChatGPT?

A: It can take at least 30 minutes to an hour to get a good summary from ChatGPT, depending on the complexity of the topic and the quality of the prompts.

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