Have you played with ChatGPT yet? Even if you haven’t, you’ve probably heard a lot about it. Many people are singing its praises to no end.

I think it’s a fun toy. And I’ve used it to help me with a few brainstorming sessions, or to rephrase a complicated paragraph here and there. But I’m not smitten the way some are.

For example, I recently saw someone on LinkedIn touting a ChatGPT response as evidence that DevOps and ITIL should be ideal bedfellows. Now, I’m not here to talk about combining DevOps and ITIL. That’s a hairy topic for another day. Rather, I’m interested in the response ChatGPT gave, that this LinkedIn poster took as evidence that this is a great idea.

Combining DevOps and ITIL can provide a more holistic approach to IT operations, allowing organizations to improve their software delivery and service management practices together. DevOps can help automate and streamline software development and deployment, while ITIL can provide a framework for managing IT services and ensuring they meet user and customer needs.

However, it’s important to note that the implementation of both DevOps and ITIL can be complex and requires careful planning and coordination. It’s important to carefully consider how the two approaches can be integrated and how they may impact existing processes and workflows within your organization.

What I find interesting in this answer from ChatGPT is that it tells us… nothing.

What do I mean by that?

Well, first, it provides a very superficial description of both DevOps and ITIL. So superficial, that it’s impossible to tell if it’s even correct, or if these two things conflict with each other.

Second, it provides no actual evidence that combining them is possible, or how to do so. It only says that combining them “requires careful planning and coordination.” Doesn’t combining anything require that, though?

This is just word salad. It has no meaning. We could replace “DevOps” and “ITIL” with almost anything, and have an equally valid response. Let’s try…

Combining Kung Fu and artisinal cheesemaking can provide a more holistic approach to IT operations, allowing organizations to improve their self-defence and culinary experience together. Kung Fu can help improve physical agility, well-being, and alertness, while artisinal cheesemaking can provide tasty snacks.

However, it’s important to note that the implementation of both Kung Fu and artisinal cheesemaking can be complex and requires careful planning and coordination. It’s important to carefully consider how the two approaches can be integrated and how they may impact existing processes and workflows within your organization.