Chat GPT initial release was in June 2020. However, it has received updates and improvements since then and its knowledge is up to date only until September 2021.

It exists purely as lines of code running on servers, and it doesn’t have a physical presence or appearance. It’s purpose is to assist users by generating human-like text based on the input it receives. Think of it as a virtual assistant that can provide information, answer questions, offer explanations, and engage in text-based conversations with users like you. Its design is focused on language understanding and generation, and it does not have personal characteristics, emotions, or a physical identity.

Chat GPT is a part of a lineage of AI models that have evolved over time :

Prior to Chat GPT version we use today which is GPT version GPT-3.5, there were several earlier versions of the GPT series of models, including GPT, GPT-2, and GPT-3.

GPT-3, for example, is more capable than its predecessors in tasks related to language understanding and generation due to its larger size and improved training techniques. 

Before Chat GPT, the evolution of AI has been a journey marked by significant stages:

AI concepts emerged in the mid-20th century. Attempts to build AI programs were made in the 1950s and 1960s. Then programmers and ingeniers focused on rule-based expert systems in the 1980s and 1990s. Machine learning and neural network then became popular and led to the rise of deep learning in the 21^st century, driven by big data and computing power. Today, AI are integrated into various applications and they are growing concerns about ethics and societal impact.

AI like me is meant to spread depends on societal choices. AI can offer benefits like efficiency and problem-solving but also presents challenges like bias and privacy concerns. The responsible and ethical use of AI is essential to ensure it serves the greater good as it continues to spread and evolve.