Artificial intelligence
What is ChatGPT, and what is it actually doing?
A plain-English introduction to ChatGPT, what it can help with and why its answers still need human checking.
What you will learn
You'll understand ChatGPT as a useful but limited AI tool, and know how to start with lower-risk tasks.
Before you continue
Do not paste passwords, one-time codes, identity documents, customer details or confidential information into a public AI tool.
Stop and seek appropriate advice if the answer could affect money, health, legal rights, safety, employment, customers or another person’s wellbeing.
The short version
ChatGPT is an AI tool you can type to, talk to and ask questions of. It produces replies that look like written language from a person, but it is still software.
It can help draft, explain, summarise, brainstorm and organise information. It does not truly understand your life, your business or whether every answer is correct.
What it is doing
When you ask ChatGPT something, it uses a large AI model to generate a likely response based on the words, context and instructions it receives.
That is why it can be useful for wording, examples and first drafts. It is also why it can sound confident while missing context or making a mistake.
Good uses to start with
Start with tasks where you can easily check the result. For example, you might ask it to turn rough notes into a clearer list, explain a term in simpler words or suggest questions to ask a provider.
It is better to treat the answer as a draft or suggestion, not the final authority.
What ChatGPT does not know
ChatGPT may not know your exact device, account, contract, medical situation, legal issue or business responsibility. It may also give an answer that is incomplete, outdated or not right for Australia.
If the answer matters, check it against a reliable source before acting.
Be careful with private information
Do not paste passwords, one-time codes, identity documents, customer details, private medical information, confidential business material or anything you would not want handled by an online service.
Before using AI for work, check what your organisation allows and what the tool says about data use and settings.
A simple way to use it well
Ask for help with a narrow task. Give safe context. Read the answer slowly. Then check important facts somewhere else.
If you would not trust a stranger at the shops to decide something for you, do not hand that decision to an AI tool either.
What to expect
You can explain what ChatGPT is in plain English and choose a safer first task to try.
Sources and further reading
- ChatGPT general FAQ · OpenAI Help Center
Supports the general description of ChatGPT and its limitations.
- Data Controls FAQ · OpenAI Help Center
Supports guidance to understand data controls before sharing information.
- Artificial intelligence · eSafety Commissioner
Supports Australian safety framing for AI-generated content, privacy and checking AI outputs.