What AI Can (and Can't) Do

Understanding AI's strengths and limits will save you frustration and help you get better results. Let's be honest about what these tools are great at and where they fall short.

What You'll Learn

You'll discover what AI does well, what it struggles with, and how to set realistic expectations.

Why This Matters

When you know AI's limits, you won't be disappointed when it can't do something impossible. And when you know its strengths, you can use it for tasks where it truly shines.

What AI Does Really Well

Writing and Communication

• Drafting emails, letters, and messages
• Writing in different tones (formal, casual, friendly)
• Translating between languages
• Summarizing long documents
• Proofreading and editing

Explaining and Teaching

• Breaking down complex topics into simple terms
• Answering "how does this work?" questions
• Providing step-by-step instructions
• Offering different perspectives on a topic

Brainstorming and Ideas

• Generating lists of ideas
• Coming up with names, titles, or slogans
• Suggesting solutions to problems
• Offering creative alternatives

Research and Organization

• Finding information on topics
• Organizing thoughts and notes
• Creating outlines and structures
• Comparing options

Creative Tasks

• Writing stories, poems, and creative content
• Helping with speeches and presentations
• Suggesting design ideas (though it can't create images in text AI)
• Role-playing scenarios for practice

What AI Struggles With

Current Events and Real-Time Information

• AI has a knowledge cutoff date (it doesn't know recent news)
• Stock prices, weather, and live sports scores are beyond its reach
• Breaking news isn't in its knowledge base

What to do instead: Use Google or news sites for current events

Personal and Local Information

• Your specific work schedule or preferences
• Local business hours or menus
• Information about people who aren't famous
• Your personal files or emails

What to do instead: AI can help organize info you provide, but it doesn't know your personal details unless you share them

Mathematics and Precise Calculations

• Complex math can be hit or miss
• Financial calculations should be double-checked
• AI sometimes makes arithmetic errors

What to do instead: Use a calculator for important numbers, or ask AI to show its work so you can verify

Legal, Medical, and Professional Advice

• AI is not a doctor, lawyer, or financial advisor
• It can provide general information but not personalized professional advice
• Critical decisions need real professionals

What to do instead: Use AI for research and preparation, but consult professionals for important decisions

Being 100% Accurate

• AI can "hallucinate" - confidently state things that aren't true
• It doesn't actually "know" things; it predicts likely responses
• Some facts may be outdated or simply wrong

What to do instead: Verify important information from reliable sources

The Accuracy Reality Check

Here's something important to understand: AI can be confidently wrong.

It might say something like "The capital of Australia is Sydney" with complete confidence, when actually it's Canberra. This is called a "hallucination" in AI terms.

Rule of thumb:

• For casual use (recipes, ideas, drafts): Trust but verify occasionally
• For important decisions (health, money, legal): Always verify with reliable sources
• For facts you'll share with others: Double-check before spreading

Try It Yourself

Think about your typical day. List three tasks where AI could help:

Good fits for AI:

• "Help me write a response to a tricky email"
• "Explain what a 401k is in simple terms"
• "Give me ideas for a vegetarian dinner party"

Not ideal for AI:

• "What's the weather tomorrow in my city?"
• "Should I take this medication?"
• "How much is my house worth?"

Pro Tip

When AI gives you information that seems important, ask yourself: "Would I bet $100 on this being true?" If not, take a moment to verify it elsewhere. AI is a great starting point, not the final word.

Common Questions

Q: Why does AI sometimes make things up?

A: AI generates responses based on patterns it learned from text. It doesn't "know" facts the way humans do - it predicts what words should come next. Sometimes those predictions are wrong, especially for specific facts.

Q: Will AI get better at these weak spots?

A: Yes! AI is improving rapidly. Some tools now have internet access for current information. But it's still wise to verify important information.

Q: How do I know if AI's answer is reliable?

A: Watch for:

• Specific numbers or dates (verify these)
• Health or legal advice (consult professionals)
• Confident claims about obscure topics (check sources)
• Anything that seems too good to be true

What's Next

Now that you know what AI can do, let's get you set up with your first AI account so you can start practicing!