It answers your questions in seconds, writes emails, explains black holes, and even fixes your Python code—but how much should you really trust ChatGPT?
Since its public release in late 2022, ChatGPT has become a part of daily life for students, professionals, coders, and content creators, reports the Gulf News.
It’s fast, helpful, and often eerily good at mimicking human conversation. But for all its strengths, ChatGPT isn’t human—and that means there are clear limitations to what it can and should be used for.
Understanding those boundaries is essential in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence tools.
How ChatGPT actually works
ChatGPT is built on a type of AI known as a large language model (LLM). It's based on a machine learning method called a transformer, which is trained to recognize and generate human-like language.
To create this capability, the model is trained on enormous datasets—publicly available text from books, articles, websites, and even computer code. Advanced versions like GPT-4 and GPT-4o use hundreds of billions of examples to detect patterns and generate text that sounds natural and relevant.
However, ChatGPT doesn’t “know” facts the way humans do. It doesn’t understand context in the human sense or access real-time information unless connected to the web (which is not always the case). It simply predicts what words are likely to come next based on patterns in its training data, which has a cutoff date.
This makes it very good at many things—but also prone to mistakes, especially in sensitive or fast-changing areas.
When you should use ChatGPT
Explaining complex topics: ChatGPT can simplify technical or abstract ideas—like inflation or quantum physics—making them easier to grasp.
Writing and editing: It’s useful for drafting and improving emails, reports, resumes, or marketing copy.
Coding help: Programmers frequently use ChatGPT to generate code snippets, troubleshoot bugs, or understand logic in languages like Python, HTML, or JavaScript.
Study support: Students use it to explain concepts, quiz themselves, or revise for exams in a conversational way.
Brainstorming: ChatGPT is great for generating ideas—whether for story plots, startup names, or content strategies.
When you should not use ChatGPT
Medical, legal, or financial advice: ChatGPT is not a licensed professional. It may get the general idea right, but it cannot account for personal circumstances, local laws, or recent policy changes.
Real-time information: Without web browsing enabled, ChatGPT doesn’t have access to live news, weather, stock prices, or new scientific research.
Academic citations: The model may fabricate or misattribute sources. Always verify with reliable academic databases.
Highly specialised knowledge: In niche or rapidly changing fields—like crypto regulation or cutting-edge medical trials—ChatGPT may oversimplify or give outdated information.
Don’t go to ChatGPT for this!
If you're struggling emotionally, facing burnout, or going through a crisis, ChatGPT is not the place to seek help. While it can offer generic self-care tips or explain mental health conditions, it lacks empathy, context, and clinical judgment.
Always consult a licensed therapist or counselor for emotional support. The same goes for big personal decisions—like quitting a job, changing careers, or navigating a divorce. These situations involve human nuances, long-term consequences, and moral judgments that AI simply isn’t equipped to handle.
Summary: What to remember
ChatGPT is a powerful, accessible tool for learning, communication, and creativity. It’s excellent at simplifying complex topics, generating text, and assisting with coding or brainstorming. Its usefulness has made it a staple in education, business, and everyday life.
But it has clear limits.
- It doesn’t understand context like humans.
- It cannot access real-time information unless explicitly enabled.
- It should not replace professionals in legal, medical, or emotional matters.
- It may generate incorrect or fabricated information if pushed beyond its scope.
Top takeaways:
- Use it for writing, coding, learning, and creative thinking.
- Don’t use it for live updates, personal crises, or professional advice.
- Always verify critical information before acting on it.
Used wisely, ChatGPT can save time, spark ideas, and support learning. But it works best as a digital assistant—not as a substitute for human expertise or judgment.
