What ChatGPT Can (and Can't) Do
ChatGPT is a powerful AI assistant that can help with an incredible range of tasks. But understanding its capabilities and limitations is essential for using it effectively.
What ChatGPT Excels At
Writing & Communication
- Drafting emails, messages, and documents
- Editing and improving existing text
- Translating between languages
- Summarizing long content
- Adjusting tone (formal, casual, professional)
Research & Learning
- Explaining complex topics in simple terms
- Providing overviews of subjects
- Answering questions on a wide range of topics
- Creating study guides and flashcards
- Breaking down step-by-step processes
Creative Tasks
- Brainstorming ideas
- Writing stories, poems, and creative content
- Generating names, taglines, and titles
- Role-playing scenarios
- Creating outlines and structures
Productivity
- Creating to-do lists and plans
- Formatting and organizing information
- Converting data between formats
- Proofreading and catching errors
- Generating templates
Coding & Technical Work
- Writing and explaining code
- Debugging errors
- Converting between programming languages
- Creating documentation
- Explaining technical concepts
What ChatGPT Cannot Do
Real-Time Information
ChatGPT doesn't have access to the internet in its base form. It cannot:
- Tell you today's weather
- Look up current stock prices
- Check live sports scores
- Access your emails or files
Note: ChatGPT Plus users with browsing enabled can access current information.
Perfect Accuracy
ChatGPT can make mistakes, especially with:
- Specific facts and figures
- Recent events (after training cutoff)
- Complex mathematical calculations
- Specialized technical details
Always verify important information from authoritative sources.
Physical Actions
ChatGPT cannot:
- Make purchases for you
- Send emails or messages
- Access other apps or services
- Control smart home devices
Personal Knowledge
ChatGPT doesn't know:
- Your personal preferences (unless you tell it)
- Your previous conversations (in new chats)
- Private or proprietary information
- What's on your computer or phone
The Capability Spectrum
Think of ChatGPT's abilities on a spectrum:
| Strong | Moderate | Limited |
|---|---|---|
| Writing & editing | Math & calculations | Real-time data |
| Explaining concepts | Coding complex systems | Accessing the web |
| Brainstorming ideas | Specialized domains | Personal memory |
| Summarizing text | Creative writing | Physical actions |
| Language translation | Data analysis | Perfect accuracy |
Practice: Understanding Capabilities
Try the prompt above. Notice how ChatGPT (without browsing) cannot provide real-time weather. Now try asking about something it can help with:
See the difference? The second prompt asks for knowledge rather than real-time data.
Key Takeaways
- ChatGPT is a writing and thinking partner - It excels at language-based tasks
- It's not a search engine - It works from training, not live internet
- Accuracy varies - Always verify critical information
- It learns from you - Provide context for better results
- Capabilities are expanding - New features are added regularly
Setting Realistic Expectations
The key to being a ChatGPT power user is knowing when to use it and when to use other tools:
| Task | Best Tool |
|---|---|
| Draft an email | ChatGPT |
| Check current stock price | Google/Broker app |
| Explain a concept | ChatGPT |
| Verify a specific fact | Authoritative source |
| Brainstorm ideas | ChatGPT |
| Make a purchase | Shopping website |
Understanding these boundaries will help you get the most value from ChatGPT while avoiding frustration.