Discover what makes this AI powerhouse essential for the future of communication and automation.
What is ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is an AI chatbot with natural language processing (NLP) that enables human-like conversations for various tasks. This generative AI tool can answer questions, compose emails, essays, and code, among other functions.
It is currently available for free, and OpenAI introduced a paid subscription version called ChatGPT Plus in February 2023, which provides users with access to the latest models and updates.
What is ChatGPT used for?
ChatGPT can perform a wide range of functions beyond answering basic questions. It can compose essays, engage in philosophical discussions, solve math problems, and even write code.
The tasks ChatGPT can assist with don’t have to be complex. For instance, my favorite use of ChatGPT is for creating basic lists for chores like packing and grocery shopping, and making to-do lists to enhance daily productivity. The possibilities are endless.
ZDNET’s Popular ChatGPT How-To Guides
- Write an essay
- Create an app
- Write code
- Build a resume
- Write Excel formulas
- Summarize content
- Write a cover letter
- Start an Etsy business
- Create charts and tables
- Write Arduino drivers
- Browse the web
Can ChatGPT help me apply for jobs?
Yes, ChatGPT is a valuable resource for job applications. The job search process can be tedious and challenging, but ChatGPT can ease the burden. It can help you build your resume and write cover letters.
Additionally, if your application requires written supplements, such as essays or personal statements, ChatGPT can assist in writing those as well.
Is ChatGPT available for free?
ChatGPT is free to use for various tasks, including writing and coding.
There is a subscription option, ChatGPT Plus, which costs $20 per month. This paid model provides extra benefits, such as priority access to GPT-4o, DALL-E 3, and the latest updates.
Although the subscription price might seem high, it matches the cost of similar services like Microsoft Copilot Pro and Google One AI Premium. The free version remains a strong option, though only subscribers get guaranteed access to GPT-4o during peak times.
How can you access ChatGPT?
As of April 1, 2024, OpenAI no longer requires users to log in to ChatGPT. You can access it simply by visiting chat.openai.com, or through an app on your iPhone or Android device.
Once on the site, you can start chatting with ChatGPT by asking questions, similar to using a search engine. While creating an OpenAI account is not required, it offers benefits like saving chat history, accessing custom instructions, and free access to GPT-4o.
Is there a ChatGPT app?
Yes, there is an official ChatGPT app for iPhone and Android users. Be sure to download OpenAI’s app to avoid fake versions. Additionally, there is a ChatGPT app for MacOS, available for ChatGPT Plus subscribers, with plans for a broader release in the future.
Is ChatGPT safe?
There are concerns about AI chatbots potentially replacing human intelligence. For instance, chatbots can write essays quickly, raising fears about students cheating and not learning proper writing skills. Initially, some schools blocked ChatGPT, but many have since unblocked it and are incorporating AI-related coursework.
Another issue is the potential spread of misinformation. ChatGPT’s responses are not always accurate, and OpenAI advises users to verify information. Additionally, there are ethical and privacy concerns regarding the data used to train ChatGPT, as OpenAI did not seek permission from content owners.
For privacy, OpenAI offers options to turn off data training and chat history. Ethical and privacy concerns are still being debated.
Will my conversations with ChatGPT be used for training?
By default, OpenAI uses your conversations with ChatGPT to improve its models. However, you can opt out by adjusting the settings to prevent your data from being used for training.
I tried using ChatGPT and it says it’s at capacity. What does that mean?
When too many users are on the ChatGPT servers, they may become overloaded, causing access issues. You can try visiting the site later or refreshing the page. Alternatively, subscribing to ChatGPT Plus offers general access during peak times, faster response times, and priority access to new features.
Microsoft’s AI chatbot, Copilot, also uses GPT-4, has no wait times, and can access the internet, offering a free alternative.
What does ChatGPT stand for?
“GPT” stands for Generative Pre-trained Transformer, a family of large language models created by OpenAI that uses deep learning to generate human-like text. “Chat” highlights its conversational capabilities.
Can ChatGPT generate images?
Yes, ChatGPT can generate images using DALL-E 3, but this feature is available only to ChatGPT Plus subscribers. Since DALL-E 2 was discontinued in February 2024, access to DALL-E 3 through OpenAI requires a ChatGPT Plus subscription.
For free image generation, Microsoft’s Copilot, also powered by DALL-E 3, is a good alternative.
How does ChatGPT work?
ChatGPT operates on the Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) architecture, a large language model (LLM) developed by OpenAI. Initially launched on November 30, 2022, the free version of ChatGPT utilized a fine-tuned model from the GPT-3.5 series until May 2024, when it was upgraded to GPT-4o.
With a subscription to ChatGPT Plus, users can access either GPT-3.5, GPT-4, or GPT-4o. Plus subscribers benefit from priority access to GPT-4o, even during peak usage times, while free users are limited to GPT-3.5.
These generative AI models are trained on extensive datasets sourced from the internet, encompassing websites, books, news articles, and more.
Who owns ChatGPT currently?
OpenAI, an AI startup, owns ChatGPT. The company also developed DALL-E 2 and DALL-E 3, popular AI image generators, as well as Whisper, an automatic speech recognition system. OpenAI counts Microsoft as a major investor, following substantial investments over multiple years totaling billions of dollars. Elon Musk, an initial investor in OpenAI when it was founded in 2015, has since parted ways and launched his own AI chatbot, Grok.
Is ChatGPT better than a search engine?
ChatGPT and search engines serve distinct purposes. ChatGPT is an AI chatbot designed for conversational interaction, while search engines index web pages to help users find information. The choice between them depends on the specific needs: for up-to-date and comprehensive information, a search engine is typically preferred for its extensive results.
As of May 2024, the free version of ChatGPT can access responses from both the GPT-4o model and the web. However, it presents a curated list of sources instead of displaying extensive search results. For complex topics explained in an accessible manner, ChatGPT may be suitable, though many AI search engines combine both capabilities effectively.
What are ChatGPT’s limitations?
Despite its advanced capabilities, ChatGPT has limitations. Users may need to rephrase questions several times for clarity, and responses can sometimes lack quality or coherence. The model may interpret questions incorrectly, leading to unsatisfactory answers. Additionally, like all generative AI models, ChatGPT can produce hallucinations—plausible but incorrect responses.
Does ChatGPT provide incorrect answers?
Yes, ChatGPT, like any language model, can provide incorrect or nonsensical answers due to its inherent limitations. Users are advised to verify information independently when necessary. OpenAI encourages users to provide feedback through rating responses and participating in programs like the Bug Bounty, aimed at improving the model’s accuracy and security.
Can ChatGPT refuse to answer my prompts?
AI systems like ChatGPT have the capability to decline inappropriate requests. The AI assistant can recognize and reject submissions that may lead to generating unsafe content.
Such submissions include queries that violate rights, are offensive, discriminatory, or involve illegal activities. The ChatGPT model can also question incorrect premises, respond to follow-up questions, and acknowledge errors when brought to its attention.
These safeguards are crucial as AI models can create sophisticated, lifelike content that could potentially be misused by malicious actors to spread misinformation about public figures or influence elections.
Does ChatGPT plagiarize?
Yes, in a sense. OpenAI trained ChatGPT’s models using data scraped from the internet, which means the technology’s knowledge is derived from existing sources. Consequently, there is no guarantee that ChatGPT’s outputs are entirely original, potentially leading to instances where the chatbot regurgitates someone else’s work in its responses—a form of plagiarism.
Moreover, from a technical standpoint, if users copy and paste ChatGPT’s responses without attribution, it constitutes plagiarism because they are claiming someone else’s work as their own. This action could result in consequences.
Is there a ChatGPT detector?
No, there isn’t currently an efficient ChatGPT detector despite efforts in that direction. In January 2023, OpenAI released a tool aimed at detecting AI-generated text for free. However, the tool’s performance was lackluster, correctly identifying AI-written text as such only 26% of the time while also producing false positives 9% of the time. OpenAI discontinued the tool due to its low accuracy rate, though the company continues to research better methods for identifying AI-generated content.
Several other AI detectors exist on the market, such as the GPT-2 Output Detector, Writer AI Content Detector, and Content at Scale’s AI Content Detection tool. However, tests by ZDNET revealed these tools to be unreliable, often failing to accurately identify AI-generated content and frequently yielding false negatives.
What is GPT-4?
GPT-4 is an advanced language model developed by OpenAI, succeeding its predecessor GPT-3.5. Demonstrating superior performance in simulated benchmark tests, GPT-4 produces fewer erroneous outputs known as hallucinations. Accessible through a subscription to ChatGPT Plus for $20 per month or via Microsoft’s Copilot, GPT-4 offers enhanced capabilities in language processing and understanding.
What is GPT-4o?
GPT-4o is OpenAI’s latest flagship model, renowned for its speed and advanced features. While possessing the same intelligence as GPT-4, the “o” in its name denotes “omni,” reflecting its capability to handle text, audio, image, and video inputs seamlessly. GPT-4o is priced 50% lower than GPT-4 Turbo in OpenAI’s API, maintaining parity in English and coding capabilities while excelling in non-English languages, vision, and audio comprehension—a significant advantage for developers.
What are the best ChatGPT alternatives?
Despite ChatGPT’s prominence, several alternatives exist that may better suit specific needs. These include Copilot, Claude, Perplexity, Jasper, and others. Each of these AI chatbots has been tested by ZDNET to determine which best meets various user requirements.
What are GPTs?
Formerly known for its plugins, OpenAI transitioned to GPTs to facilitate easier integration for developers. GPTs enable users, including those on the free plan, to access a wide array of customized ChatGPT chatbots via the GPT Store. However, users should exercise caution as the store includes numerous spam entries alongside useful bots.
What is Microsoft’s involvement with ChatGPT?
Microsoft became a significant investor in OpenAI in 2019, initially investing $1 billion followed by additional investments totaling billions of dollars. This partnership includes making Microsoft Azure the exclusive cloud-computing provider for OpenAI, supporting research, products, and API services. Microsoft also leveraged this collaboration to enhance Bing and develop Copilot, a tool utilizing OpenAI’s GPT-4 for improved search capabilities.
How does Copilot compare to ChatGPT?
Copilot, powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4, initially surpassed the standard free version of ChatGPT by offering internet access, current information, and annotated responses. However, in May 2024, ChatGPT received a substantial upgrade to GPT-4o, reclaiming its status as the premier AI chatbot. This upgrade enabled ChatGPT to integrate web browsing, data analysis, multimedia interaction, GPTs, access to the GPT Store, and Voice Mode.
What is Gemini and how does it relate to ChatGPT?
Gemini is Google’s AI chat service introduced as a competitor to ChatGPT, initially launched under the name Google Bard in February 2023. Following its public release, Gemini provides users with a conversational AI experience akin to ChatGPT’s capabilities.
What is Apple’s involvement with OpenAI?
At Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference in June 2024, Apple announced a partnership with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT with Siri. This collaboration allows Siri to leverage ChatGPT’s capabilities when deemed appropriate, enhancing the AI assistant’s functionality with conversational and task-oriented interactions.