See ChatGPT run on a TI-84 graphing calculator

It's pretty remarkable what technically savvy people can accomplish. To wit: A modder posted a YouTube video showing how they got ChatGPT running on a TI-84 calculator.

Now, how in the world could someone access an AI chatbot on a relatively analog machine designed to do calculations? Well, with a lot of work.

The creator, ChromaLock, posted how they accomplished the feat in detail.

To be frank, a lot of what they did was beyond my comprehension and certainly beyond my abilities. They used the TI-84's link port — typically used to transfer educational programs between calculators — to get internet access and a direct line to ChatGPT. ChromaLock said the ChatGPT-enabled TI-84 would be the ultimate cheating machine, but it doesn't seem likely students everywhere will soon follow their lead.

The process was pretty complicated, involving a custom circuitboard, a microcontroller, and lots of expertise. It's cool when someone does something so complicated just because they can. Meanwhile, my calculator tricks remain limited to writing the word "hello" by typing the number 0.7734 and turning the screen upside down.