US control of frontier AI hangs over NATO’s Ankara summit

Introduction

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to work with AI models using the OpenAI API, similar to the advanced AI systems mentioned in the NATO summit article. The US and other major powers control access to cutting-edge AI models, but you can still experiment with these technologies using APIs. This tutorial will guide you through setting up an OpenAI account, installing the necessary Python library, and making your first API call to generate text using a language model.

Prerequisites

• A computer with internet access
• Basic understanding of Python programming
• Python 3.6 or higher installed on your system
• An OpenAI account with API key (free to create)

Step-by-step Instructions

Step 1: Create an OpenAI Account and Get Your API Key

Before you can use any AI models, you need to create an account with OpenAI and obtain an API key. This key is like a password that allows you to access their AI services.

1. Visit https://platform.openai.com/
2. Click on "Sign up" and follow the registration process
3. After logging in, navigate to the "API Keys" section
4. Click "Create new secret key" and copy the key that appears (you'll only see it once)

Why this step is important: The API key authenticates your requests to OpenAI's servers. Without it, you won't be able to access their AI models.

Step 2: Set Up Your Python Environment

Next, you'll need to install the OpenAI Python library that makes it easy to communicate with their API.

Install the OpenAI Library

Open your terminal or command prompt and run:

pip install openai

This command installs the Python library that handles all the communication with OpenAI's API for you.

Create a Python Script File

Create a new file named ai_demo.py in your preferred code editor.

Why this step is important: Installing the library gives you access to Python functions that simplify making API calls. Creating a script file is where you'll write your code to interact with the AI.

Step 3: Configure Your API Key

Before using the API, you need to tell your Python script where to find your API key.

Store Your API Key in an Environment Variable

For security reasons, it's best to store your API key in an environment variable rather than directly in your code. On Windows, you can set it like this:

set OPENAI_API_KEY=your_actual_api_key_here

On Mac or Linux:

export OPENAI_API_KEY=your_actual_api_key_here

Then, in your Python script, add this code:

import os
from openai import OpenAI

client = OpenAI(
    api_key=os.getenv("OPENAI_API_KEY"),
)

Why this step is important: Storing your API key in environment variables prevents accidentally sharing it in public code repositories or exposing it in plain text.

Step 4: Make Your First API Call

Now you'll write code to ask the AI model to generate a response to a prompt.

Write Your First AI Request

Add this code to your ai_demo.py file:

response = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="gpt-3.5-turbo",
    messages=[
        {"role": "system", "content": "You are a helpful assistant."},
        {"role": "user", "content": "Explain what NATO is in simple terms."}
    ],
    max_tokens=150
)

print(response.choices[0].message.content)

Why this step is important: This code sends a request to OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model asking it to explain NATO. It demonstrates how you can interact with AI models programmatically.

Step 5: Run Your Python Script

Save your file and run it from the command line:

python ai_demo.py

You should see a response from the AI about NATO in simple terms.

Understanding the Code

• model="gpt-3.5-turbo": This specifies which AI model to use
• messages: This is where you provide the conversation history
• max_tokens=150: This limits how long the AI's response can be

Why this step is important: Running the script shows you that your setup works and gives you hands-on experience with how AI models respond to prompts.

Step 6: Experiment with Different Prompts

Try changing the user message in your code to ask different questions:

{"role": "user", "content": "What are some benefits of AI in healthcare?"}

Or try asking about current events:

{"role": "user", "content": "Summarize the main points of the NATO summit."}

Why this step is important: Experimenting with different prompts helps you understand how AI models respond to various types of questions and how to phrase your requests effectively.

Summary

In this tutorial, you've learned how to set up access to advanced AI models through OpenAI's API. You created an account, installed the Python library, configured your API key securely, and made your first API call to generate text. This process mirrors what governments and organizations use to access powerful AI systems, like those discussed in the NATO summit article. While the US and other countries control which nations get access to the most advanced models, you can still experiment with these technologies yourself using public APIs.

Remember to keep your API key secure and to check OpenAI's usage limits to avoid unexpected charges. This hands-on experience gives you a foundation for exploring more advanced AI applications and understanding how these technologies are being used in global discussions about security and cooperation.