Take a Tour of All the Essential Features in ChatGPT

Hello WIRED subscribers! Thank you to everyone who attended our most recent AI Unlocked webinar. I really enjoyed our lively discussion about ChatGPT’s software features and wish I could have answered even more of your questions about using generative AI tools.

I really enjoyed the questions about what ChatGPT can do beyond just chatting. Image search is a feature I use often, and here are my first impressions of the tool that I recorded back in September 2023 when it first dropped. I use ChatGPT’s image search tool nowadays by snapping a picture with my phone when I don’t recognize something. I’ll upload the screenshot and ask the chatbot what it is. For example, I was recently at an Irish bar and learned what a hurley was when I saw one hanging on the wall and was perplexed. (Although, I also could have just asked the friendly bartenders when I got another coffee drink.)

What are some ChatGPT features that I wasn’t able to go deep on during the 45-minute session? Two come to mind: temporary chats and memory.

Temporary chats keep things slightly more private. For example, the log of the conversation will not appear on the left side of your screen when it’s over like it normally does. Temporary chats are not protected enough that you should feel comfortable sharing private information—definitely still don’t do that—but this is a nice option for chats you don’t necessarily need or want saved for your own use later.

ChatGPT’s memory function has gotten better over time. While some information about you will be stored passively as you use the tool (unless you turn it off in the settings), I think actively engaging with ChatGPT’s memory by telling it your preferences does lead to a better software experience overall.

What are the drawbacks of ChatGPT? There are three I want to highlight here. These are all issues I keep in mind as I’m using any AI tool, and think you should as well.