Flag

We stand with Ukraine and our team members from Ukraine. Here are ways you can help

Get exclusive access to thought-provoking articles, bonus podcast content, and cutting-edge whitepapers. Become a member of the UX Magazine community today!

Home ›› Artificial Intelligence ›› 3 Ways ChatGPT is a Lot Like Galaxy Quest

Member-only story

3 Ways ChatGPT is a Lot Like Galaxy Quest

by Robb Wilson
6 min read
Share this post on
Tweet
Share
Post
Share
Email
Print

Save

Discover the potential and pitfalls of generative AI against a surprising backdrop: Galaxy Quest.

Some of my early work with voice technology was as an assistant ADR editor on the film Galaxy Quest (1999). ADR stands for automated dialogue replacement, which is essentially recording additional voiceovers during post production. Working on the film was a high-note as I transitioned out of Hollywood and into the burgeoning field of experience design. Still, despite its well-deserved cult following, I don’t think about Galaxy Quest all that often. That changed when ChatGPT revealed to the world at large just how powerful a conversational interface can be.

I’ve been working with conversational AI for more than 20 years. In many ways, ChatGPT is something I’ve been waiting for a long time. It’s delivered a light-bulb moment where people everywhere are realizing how easy it can be to interact with machines using a conversational interface. This really is an inflection point in our relationship with technology. (Chat GPT amassed over a million users in its first five days, and it’s only grown from there). Why not take a moment to learn a few lessons about how to properly leverage generative AI from a screwball sci-fi classic.

Become a member to read the whole content.

Become a member
post authorRobb Wilson

Robb Wilson

Robb Wilson is the CEO and co-founder of OneReach.ai, a leading conversational AI platform powering over 1 billion conversations per year. He also co-authored The Wall Street Journal bestselling business book, Age of Invisible Machines. An experience design pioneer with over 20 years of experience working with artificial intelligence, Robb lives with his family in Berkeley, Calif.

Tweet
Share
Post
Share
Email
Print
Ideas In Brief
  • In the article, the author draws a parallel between ChatGPT and elements from the iconic film Galaxy Quest, finding remarkable similarities.
    • Just like the aliens in Galaxy Quest, GPT has learned from a massive knowledge base, but it doesn’t really know anything.
    • GPT has been exposed to some of the same biases that the film skewers. It will require a lot of dedicated effort by designers and users to strip the bias out of LLMs.
    • In the film, aliens need humans’ help. Despite their expertise in creating technical marvels, they lack the creative abilities needed to use them. The same holds true for AI: it needs humans to guide it and tell it what to do.

Related Articles

When AI plays gatekeeper, insight gets filtered out. This article exposes how safeguards meant to protect users end up reinforcing power, and what it takes to flip the script.

Article by Bernard Fitzgerald
The Inverse Logic of AI Bias: How Safeguards Uphold Power and Undermine Genuine Understanding
  • The article reveals how AI safeguards reinforce institutional power by validating performance over genuine understanding.
  • The piece argues for reasoning-based validation that recognizes authentic insight, regardless of credentials or language style.
  • It calls for AI systems to support reflective equity, not social conformity.
Share:The Inverse Logic of AI Bias: How Safeguards Uphold Power and Undermine Genuine Understanding
7 min read

How is AI really changing the way designers work, and what still depends on human skill? This honest take cuts through the hype to show where AI helps, where it falls short, and what great design still demands.

Article by Oleh Osadchyi
The Real Impact of AI on Designers’ Day-To-Day and Interfaces: What Still Matters
  • The article explores how AI is reshaping designers’ workflows, offering speed and support across research, implementation, and testing.
  • It argues that while AI is useful, it lacks depth and context — making human judgment, critical thinking, and user insight indispensable.
  • It emphasizes that core design principles remain unchanged, and designers must learn to integrate AI without losing their craft.
Share:The Real Impact of AI on Designers’ Day-To-Day and Interfaces: What Still Matters
9 min read

AI won’t take the blame — you will. In the age of automation, real leadership means owning the outcomes, not just the tools.

Article by Anthony Franco
The AI Accountability Gap
  • The article reveals how AI doesn’t remove human responsibility — it intensifies it, requiring clear ownership of outcomes at every level of deployment.
  • It argues that successful AI adoption hinges not on technical skills alone, but on leadership: defining objectives, managing risks, and taking responsibility when things go wrong.
  • It emphasizes that organizations able to establish strong human accountability systems will not only avoid failure but also accelerate AI-driven innovation with confidence.
Share:The AI Accountability Gap
4 min read

Join the UX Magazine community!

Stay informed with exclusive content on the intersection of UX, AI agents, and agentic automation—essential reading for future-focused professionals.

Hello!

You're officially a member of the UX Magazine Community.
We're excited to have you with us!

Thank you!

To begin viewing member content, please verify your email.

Tell us about you. Enroll in the course.

    This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Check our privacy policy and