If you’re a Salesforce developer, then no doubt you’ve heard about the incredible success of ChatGPT. Within just a few days of the magical launch, around a million people had signed up to try and use the advanced AI tool. And it’s no wonder why given the staggering results they’re all seeing in their projects. But beyond the hype, what is ChatGPT and how can you use it with Salesforce? That’s precisely what I’m here to explain today. So buckle up and let’s explore what ChatGPT has to offer—and why Salesforce developers should be paying attention too.

Well! ChatGPT is all About…….

A natural language processing (NLP) technology that enables computers to interact with humans conversationally. Developed by OpenAI, the research laboratory specializing in AI, ChatGPT is a deep learning model based on the “Generative Pre-trained Transformer” (GPT) which is trained on a large corpus of textual data and is highly adept at producing human-like responses to natural language queries. This makes it useful for a wide range of applications from chatbot interactions to translating languages, generating images, creating conversations, writing codes, editing, completing the text and much more.

As a known fact, the world of AI is evolving at a rapid pace and we are now at a point where the technology could shake things up in a big way. While Google has developed some impressive AI programs but still holds back from launching them due to concerns about the quality of the results.

Recently, OpenAPI CEO, Sam Altman, offered a tempered perspective on the potential of ChatGPT, cautioning that while it has some impressive capabilities, it is still a work in progress. He warned against overreliance on this junior developer/admin, which could create a misleading impression of greatness.

Despite these limitations, ChatGPT is a lightning-fast tool that can draw on limited data/ precise commands to produce accurate results; from validation rules, and Apex code, to even blog posts. Despite this, there are still certain areas that need further development before they can be relied upon for anything major. So, let’s be clear, there are limitations to what it can do, which we will delve into later.

A Look into ChatGPT’s Functionality:

As per the research, ChatGPT is a highly capable and efficient consultant. All you need is to enter a query into ChatGPT and it responds with a natural conversational style as if it was a human. But the point to note is, it does not create content or ideas of its own, instead it relies on a vast database of information from various websites. Hence, to ensure the best results, it is crucial to give ChatGPT a precise and specific query. However, it is observed in some cases that even with a well-crafted prompt, the answers were not completely accurate. Hence, it is up to the user to validate the response and understand the problem at hand. I.e. if you have received an incorrect response then all you need to do is simply rephrase your query and ChatGPT will provide a sutiable answer accordingly. Therefore, by adjusting your questions in the most effective manner, you are giving directions to ChatGPT for better responses.

The Limitations of ChatGPT & The Future of Salesforce Developers:

There is no doubt that ChatGPT makes coding faster and easier for developers due to the fact that it delivers text-based results—unlike graphical ones—so one can swiftly generate various elements such as formulas, validation rules, ampscripts, apex classes, and even unit tests for Lightning Web Components (LWC). Although this tool cannot generate declarative results like flows, it can generate the corresponding XML for certain actions like object and field creation, making it a prime tool for developers. Despite its impressive capabilities, ChatGPT operates best within a defined narrow scope. When tasked with broader and more complex issues its abilities are challenged and it can stumble.

In the Salesforce ecosystem, the use of ChatGPT is primarily focused on generating precise content, such as formulas, rather than seeking opinions. Therefore, the problems associated with its usage are relatively insignificant. However, it is noteworthy that ChatGPT cannot replace experience. To effectively utilize its capabilities, one must first have a clear understanding of their requirements and possess the necessary knowledge and best skills to evaluate the results accurately.

In essence, ChatGPT is a valuable tool, but its effectiveness is only as good as the user’s expertise.

Prompt Engineers & Relevant Resources:

Carrying forward the need to query expertise comes up with the rise of a new occupation called Prompt Engineers. These experts have an exceptional ability to create such structured queries that evoke specific answers from ChatGPT. Here at Salesforce, we understand the value of collaboration in the search for knowledge, thus we pool our resources to modify and develop the prompts entered into ChatGPT. Even subtle changes to the wording and in sequencing can produce notable improvements in the quality of the generated results.

A website called “PromptBase” has recently been built that offers the services of “Prompt Engineers.” who are exceptionally adept at crafting well-structured prompts to yield accurate ChatGPT results. Alternatively, you may also purchase pre-built prompts that have been specifically designed to deliver optimal results from there.

Consequently, there is a platform http://salesforceprompts.com/ that provides an opportunity for the developers within the Salesforce community to share their prompts and corresponding results while working in tandem to achieve a shared goal. Here, they can exchange feedback, get valuable insights and guidance, and ultimately become better professionals. It is an ideal environment to learn and grow!

Here is a Sample from ChatGPT’s Repertoire:

In a Nutshell,

ChatGPT can save time on mundane tasks, but it cannot automate complex decision-making strategies that require nuanced thinking. In these cases, human intervention is necessary to resolve the issue properly. It does, however, open the door for the automation of many everyday tasks, freeing up more time for people to focus on the bigger-picture responsibilities. Thus, drawing a fine line between human and machine definition.

Specifically being a developer it is important to remember that validating the results is paramount. While ChatGPT is a powerful tool, it cannot replace the knowledge and expertise gained through experience. Rest assured, Salesforce Developers are still essential and must learn the best practices of the Salesforce ecosystem to excel in their field.