Does ChatGPT help make a person smarter? Let’s not get it twisted, ChatGPT or any of the other large language models are not perfect; they sometimes put out information that isn’t true. But, are they useful? Yes, they are. And, what makes them useful is the framing of the prompt; so garbage in, garbage out. Inputs determine outputs.

ChatGPT is an advanced language model powered by artificial intelligence. While it doesn’t make a person inherently smarter, it can certainly enhance their knowledge, understanding, and problem-solving capabilities in specific ways.

ChatGPT is designed to understand and generate human-like text. It has been trained on a vast amount of information from books, articles, and websites, allowing it to generate responses that are contextually relevant and informative. Users can engage in natural language conversations with ChatGPT to get answers, explanations, and insights on various topics.

Personally, it’s been very useful for me. One way I’ve used it is to find unique ways to explain complex topics. For example, I asked ChatGPT to explain user research to me as if I were 10 years old.

Here’s its response:

I think this is a good explanation. You could easily use this response to explain user research to someone else, and they’ll get it.

Here’s another example, framed differently. I asked ChatGPT to explain quantum mechanics as if I were a beginner. Here’s its response:

Again, this is really good.

Ok, last example. I asked ChatGPT to use the Pareto Principle to give me a guide to learning Sashimono.

Here’s its response:

I don’t know anything about Sashimono, but this is a good start!

Anyway, ChatGPT is very useful beyond writing blog posts, marketing copy, reports, case studies, emails, and all types of other content. It’s helped me learn and understand topics, broadening my knowledge and understanding. It’s helped me improve my communication skills by finding other ways to explain topics, and even using words to persuade.

7 Specific Ways ChatGPT Can Enhance Knowledge and Skills

Here are 7 specific ways ChatGPT can enhance knowledge and skills:

1. Access to information. ChatGPT provides quick access to a vast pool of information. Users can ask questions on various subjects, and ChatGPT can provide relevant and accurate answers. This access to information can broaden a person’s knowledge on a wide range of topics.
2. Learning and education. ChatGPT can act as a helpful study companion. You can ask it for explanations or clarifications on complex concepts, helping you to better understand topics and learn more effectively.
3. Problem-Solving. ChatGPT can assist in problem-solving by offering suggestions, insights, and alternative perspectives. It can help users think critically and consider different angles to approach challenges.
4. Language proficiency. Engaging with ChatGPT can improve language proficiency and communication skills. Users can practice formulating questions and receive well-articulated responses, enhancing their own language capabilities.
5. Curiosity and exploration. ChatGPT can encourage curiosity and exploration. Users can delve into topics they might not have considered before, leading to new interests and a broader worldview.
6. Personal development. ChatGPT can serve as a personal coach or mentor, providing guidance and motivation in various aspects of life, from health and fitness to time management and goal setting.
7. Writing assistance. ChatGPT can help users with writing tasks by offering suggestions, correcting grammar, or providing inspiration for creative writing.

It’s important to note that while ChatGPT can offer valuable insights and knowledge, it is not a substitute for formal education, critical thinking, or human expertise. Its responses are based on patterns in the data it was trained on and may not always be accurate or comprehensive.

Also, as stated at the beginning, you have to write good prompts to get better answers. With that said, here are a few resources that will help you write better prompts:

• How to learn any new skill with ChatGPT;
• 215+ ChatGPT prompts you can’t miss to tryout in 2023;
• How to write better ChatGPT prompts.

Bottom line: ChatGPT can be a valuable tool to access information, improve language skills, and enhance problem-solving abilities. By engaging with ChatGPT in a thoughtful and inquisitive manner, you can leverage its capabilities to learn, explore, and expand your knowledge.