For the record, this article was NOT written by ChatGPT.

ChatGPT is an AI language model developed by OpenAI. It belongs to the GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) family of models. Sound like another language? Well, ChatGPT can help with anything from translating languages or complex conversation to creating recipes and blogs.

With all the buzz around AI and ChatGPT, it’s hard to decipher what people are using it for — the greater good or to bypass the system? With the latter, the automated tool walks a very fine line of ease of access and plagiarism.

There’s always a bit of hesitation when new technology arises. After all, the unknown can be scary and intimidating. Imagine describing Google to someone 30 years ago! It wasn’t that long ago that high school students had to use large volumes of encyclopedias for their term papers. Now, that’s unheard of and research is regularly started on the internet.

So, what’s the difference between using ChatGPT and Google? For one, ChatGPT can compile information so you don’t have to sift through pages and pages of websites and do so in a concise manner.

With many pros there are always cons with technology. The greatest issue, especially for a writer, is where is the information coming from? Plagiarism has been a huge issue with students and writers, both missing out on the creative and intellectual process of developing original content. However, you can ethically navigate and use this tech phenomenon for multiple purposes.

So, what are things that you should use ChatGPT for?

1. Planning a trip itinerary 

Looking to book an epic group trip? You can create one with ChatGPT just by asking about places to stay at your desired destination. You can also tweak your search to include five-star reviews. 

2. Looking up a recipe

If you’d like to find a recipe without scrolling through countless blogs and the chef’s life story, you can simply insert “create a southern Italian recipe that’s keto and vegan” — if you’re into that sort of thing. Or, not sure what to make at home with what you have in your pantry? Ask ChatGPT: “What can I make with a zucchini, tomato sauce, and onions?”  (I’d bet money that you’d get ratatouille if I had to take a guess, but I’m no AI.) 

3. Explaining or learning complex concepts

Have you ever been interested in a topic that isn’t in your industry or maybe even something as simple as explaining how to file your taxes? Or a historical event (pre-2021) that you wanted to dive in a bit deeper without having to get into a political debate? ChatGPT can recap just about any concept or event and can also break it down in layman’s terms.

4. Language translation

ChatGPT can translate just about any language without having to open your browser or subscribe to a translation tool. You can search “what are common Italian phrases that are useful while traveling?” or even dive deeper by specifying coastal or Northern Italy. You can also ask for “casual or slang phrases” to appear cool to the locals.

I asked ChatGPT what it can do — here’s what it told me

I figured after telling you all things ChatGPT does I should ask the source directly. Here’s what it said…

As an AI language model, I can do a variety of things. Here are some of the tasks I can assist you with:

1. Answer questions: I can provide answers to factual questions, help with general knowledge inquiries, and offer explanations on various topics.

2. Language translation: I can translate text or phrases from one language to another. I support multiple languages, including but not limited to English, Spanish, French, German, Chinese, and many more.

3. Writing assistance: I can help you generate written content by providing suggestions, improving sentence structure, or offering alternative word choices.

4. Creative writing prompts: If you’re looking for inspiration, I can provide creative writing prompts or help you brainstorm ideas for stories, essays, or other written works.

5. Web search: I can search the web and provide you with relevant information or summaries of articles, blog posts, and research papers.

6. Spell checking and grammar correction: I can help identify and correct spelling mistakes or grammar errors in your text.

7. Math assistance: I can perform mathematical calculations, solve equations, and help with various math problems.

8. Task automation: I can assist with automating repetitive tasks by providing code snippets or explaining programming concepts.

9. General knowledge and trivia: I can provide information on a wide range of topics, including historical events, scientific concepts, famous personalities, and more.

10. Small talk and conversations: I can engage in casual conversation, discuss various topics, and even tell jokes or stories.

It’s important to note that while I strive to provide accurate and helpful information, there may be occasions when the responses may not be entirely reliable or up to date. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to verify important information from reliable sources.

As an AI language model, there are certain things I do not do:

1. Personalized information: I don’t have access to personal data about individuals unless it has been shared with me during our conversation. I am designed to respect user privacy and confidentiality.

2. Financial transactions: I am not capable of conducting financial transactions or accessing banking information. Please refrain from providing any sensitive financial details.

3. Direct communication: I don’t have the ability to make phone calls, send text messages, or communicate with individuals outside of this text-based interface. I am here solely to provide information and assist with text-based queries.

4. Real-time information: My responses are based on a snapshot of information available up until September 2021. I don’t have real-time updates, so information related to current events, news, or rapidly changing situations may not be accurate or up to date.

5. Legal or medical advice: While I can provide general information on legal and medical topics, I am not a substitute for professional legal or medical advice. It’s always recommended to consult qualified professionals for specific legal or medical concerns.

6. Guaranteed accuracy: While I strive to provide accurate and reliable information, I cannot guarantee the accuracy or validity of the information I provide. Users should verify important information from reliable sources independently.

7. Endorsements or promotions: I do not endorse or promote specific products, services, or brands. Any recommendations I provide are based on the information available to me and should be evaluated by the user.

Remember to use caution when sharing personal information online and to rely on trusted sources for critical or sensitive.