Yes, ChatGPT Can Help You Manage AS

ChatGPT, a chatbot powered by artificial intelligence (AI), has been making headlines lately. As a faculty member teaching human-computer interaction, a discipline focused on how humans interact with technology, I couldn't help but wonder how I could use it to help manage my husband Keegan's ankylosing spondylitis. After all, if it can generate 50 ideas for spaghetti recipes in under 3 minutes, what else can it do?

What is ChatGPT, and what is AI?

Most people are familiar with chatbots that they encounter on websites, where a little message pops up asking, "Can I help you?" It's like having a robot assistant. ChatGPT is similar, in that you type in prompts and it responds to them, but with much more sophisticated responses than something like a shopping website chatbot. When I asked ChatGPT to describe itself to a 10-year-old, this was its response:

"Hey there! ChatGPT is like a super-smart robot friend that can talk with you and answer your questions. It's made by a company called OpenAI, and they used a big computer brain to teach it lots and lots of things. Imagine if you read all the books in a huge library and then could answer questions about what you learned. That's kind of like what ChatGPT can do!

People use ChatGPT for all kinds of things, like getting help with homework, finding new ideas, or even just chatting about fun topics. It's a friendly helper that can talk with you about almost anything you want to know. Just remember, ChatGPT is not a real person, and sometimes it might make mistakes or not understand everything you say. But it's always trying to learn and get better at talking with people like you!"

Okay, great, so how have you used ChatGPT for AS?

Primarily, I find ChatGPT helpful in generating lots of ideas to see if I'm missing anything. It's a great starting point. However, ChatGPT cannot provide medical advice, and its information can be inaccurate. So, consider it a tool to help your brain make decisions or inspire you.

Prompts we've given ChatGPT:

• Come up with 15 questions for my next rheumatology check-in appointment
• Tell me the pros and cons of a biologic for ankylosing spondylitis
• How can I best talk to my friends and family about ankylosing spondylitis?
• What are ways to manage my ankylosing spondylitis when traveling internationally?
• Come up with 5 mantras for someone with ankylosing spondylitis

Here are those 5 mantras for someone with ankylosing spondylitis by ChatGPT

1. "I embrace flexibility in mind and body": I will maintain a positive mindset and practice gentle stretching exercises to keep my mobility and alleviate stiffness.
2. "I take one step at a time": I will focus on small, achievable goals and celebrate my progress, rather than getting overwhelmed by the big picture.
3. "I prioritize self-care": I will prioritize my physical and emotional well-being, remembering to take breaks, eat well, and get enough rest.
4. "I listen to my body": I will pay attention to my body's signals and adjust my activities and lifestyle accordingly to manage pain and discomfort.
5. "I am not alone": I will reach out to support groups, friends, and family for encouragement, understanding, and shared experiences in dealing with ankylosing spondylitis.

And in case you're wondering—no, this article was not written by ChatGPT.