Generative AI is changing the way in which humans seek to find answers to questions in different fields including on the gig economy and labour markets, but there is limited information available about closely ChatGPT simulated output matches that obtainable from existing question and answer platforms. This paper uses ChatGPT as a research assistant to explore how far ChatGPT can replicate Quora question and answers, using data from the gig economy as an indicative case study. The results from content analysis suggest that Quora is likely to be asked questions from users looking to make money and answers are likely to include personal experiences and examples. ChatGPT simulated versions are less personal and more concept-based, including considerations on employment implications and labour rights. It appears therefore that generative AI simulates only part of what a human would want in their answers relating to the gig economy. The paper proposes that a similar comparative methodology would also be useful across other research fields to help in establishing the best real world uses of generative AI.

翻译：生成式人工智能正改变人类在包括零工经济和劳动力市场等不同领域寻求答案的方式，但关于ChatGPT生成的回答与现有问答平台获取的信息匹配程度，现有资料有限。本文以零工经济数据为典型案例，将ChatGPT作为研究助手，探索其能在多大程度上复现Quora的问答内容。内容分析结果表明，Quora更可能被希望赚钱的用户提问，而回答常包含个人经历和实例。ChatGPT模拟版本则较少涉及个人化内容，更偏重概念性，包含对就业影响和劳工权益的思考。因此，生成式人工智能仅模拟了人类在零工经济相关回答中所需的部分内容。本文提出，类似的比较方法在其他研究领域同样适用，有助于确定生成式人工智能的最佳实际应用场景。