What is ChatGPT? Here's everything you need to know about OpenAI's famous chatbot.

ChatGPT has rapidly risen to prominence, capturing the attention of millions with its innovative features and capabilities. But what exactly is this AI-powered chatbot that continues to make headlines? Launched by OpenAI in November 2022, ChatGPT serves as the company's flagship AI model. In August 2025, OpenAI introduced GPT-5, touted by CEO Sam Altman as the most sophisticated version yet. This iteration boasts improved general intelligence and functionality, effectively acting as a 'real-time router' that identifies the best model for each user interaction. OpenAI's overarching goal is to create artificial general intelligence (AGI) that benefits humanity. While AGI remains a theoretical concept, ChatGPT provides a glimpse into the future of conversational AI. Initially, it functioned primarily as a chatbot, generating text-based responses using a large language model. Users have flocked to it for various purposes, from casual inquiries to more complex tasks like coding and in-depth research. The chatbot's popularity has soared, with OpenAI reporting that it reached 700 million weekly users by August. ChatGPT is accessible online and via mobile apps for both iOS and Android, allowing users to interact simply by typing prompts. Additionally, an 'advanced voice mode' was launched in 2024, enabling users to have real-time conversations and read emotional cues, following a notable legal dispute regarding voice replication. OpenAI has rolled out multiple ChatGPT models since its initial release, including reasoning models and the GPT-4.5 version, which Altman describes as the first to create a truly engaging conversational experience. With the advent of GPT-5, users no longer need to determine the optimal model for their needs; the system now autonomously decides the most effective approach to problem-solving. ChatGPT also offers numerous plug-ins for premium subscribers, enhancing its functionality with features like travel booking through Expedia and dinner reservations via OpenTable. Moreover, the introduction of the Code Interpreter allows users to generate code and analyze data effectively. Despite its impressive capabilities, ChatGPT is not without flaws. The AI operates based on the data it has access to, occasionally leading to the dissemination of misinformation. OpenAI has faced criticism for potential misuse of copyrighted material during its training processes and has been accused of promoting academic dishonesty. The underlying technology of chatbots like ChatGPT relies on vast datasets and advanced computing techniques to create coherent and contextually relevant responses. Queries are broken down into tokens, the fundamental units of text processed by the model, allowing it to generate meaningful dialogue. The chatbot's swift rise to success is evidenced by its record-breaking 100 million users in just five days after launch. Many have utilized ChatGPT to streamline work processes, from coding and real estate listings to lesson planning. The demand for AI tools has prompted businesses, particularly consulting firms, to adopt similar technologies to enhance efficiency. In the legal sector, firms like Gibson Dunn are piloting ChatGPT Enterprise for their staff, though concerns have emerged regarding the reliability of AI-generated legal citations. A host of competitors have also entered the market since ChatGPT's debut, including Meta AI's Llama 4, Anthropic's Claude for coding, and Google's Gemini, which represents a significant engineering effort for the tech giant. As OpenAI continues to innovate, the future of ChatGPT remains a work in progress, with ongoing advancements promising to push the boundaries of what conversational AI can achieve.