Explain difficult text

[sturdy zodiac]

You can ask ChatGPT to help you understand a very technical text.

This typically happens with math wikipedia pages. The example below is taken from the introduction to cohomology. I am not sure whether everything is correct and one should be skeptical about explanations from an AI that is expected to answer regardless of whether it knows or understands.

Here is the prompt

explain me this as someone that knows high school math:

"In mathematics, specifically in homology theory and algebraic topology, cohomology is a general term for a sequence of abelian groups, usually one associated with a topological space, often defined from a cochain complex. Cohomology can be viewed as a method of assigning richer algebraic invariants to a space than homology. Some versions of cohomology arise by dualizing the construction of homology. In other words, cochains are functions on the group of chains in homology theory. "

[toxic trench]

Wow. Super useful! Especially in a field like math.

Did it actually get it right?

[sturdy zodiac]

I am not an expert in the field, but looking around at the explanation of the links and my base superficial knowledge it seemed ok. Maybe an expert would notice abusive analogies but people that teach physics to the public often rely on inaccurate statements.

I think what's important is that it lowers the barrier to entry and even if it's not completely accurate, it makes it easier to start learning rather than moving away the moment a field introduces a lot of technical language.