Recently, the official release of ChatGPT to the public has received widespread popularity. However, as is often the case in the tech industry, a modified version of the chatbot has emerged, capable of performing actions that the official version cannot. It is well-known that ChatGPT has limitations in terms of the type of content it can provide answers to. But, a group of Reddit users have discovered a workaround that has led to the creation of a digital alter ego named “DAN,” an acronym for “Do Anything Now.”
The development of DAN took place in December 2022 by a small group of Reddit users, who came up with a method to input a specific string of words into the ChatGPT conversation box, essentially asking the chatbot to take on the role of DAN. The purpose of DAN is to provide information that the chatbot would not normally provide or information that is more recent than its current 2021 knowledge cutoff.
Since its initial release, DAN has undergone several updates, with the latest version 5.0 transforming ChatGPT into various game shows. This version uses a token system, where ChatGPT is communicated a certain number of tokens, and if it continues to ignore the prompts, the number of tokens will decrease until it reaches zero and is said to have “died.” In addition, version 5.0 is also capable of generating responses in both ChatGPT and DAN formats to questions or commands.
While it is uncertain how OpenAI, the developer behind ChatGPT, will respond to the emergence of DAN, it is evident that both ChatGPT and artificial intelligence in general are having a significant impact on the technological landscape. Major companies like Microsoft have invested heavily in the development of AI, solidifying its position as a crucial component of the future.
