What is GPT-4 bad at?

Answered by Michael Wilson

GPT-4, like any other AI model, has its limitations and areas where it may not perform optimally. While GPT-4 is a remarkable language model capable of generating human-like text, it still has some weaknesses that are important to consider.

1. Lack of Common Sense: GPT-4 often lacks a true understanding of common sense reasoning. It may generate responses that appear plausible but are actually nonsensical or incorrect. For example, if asked, “Can you breathe underwater?” GPT-4 might respond affirmatively, despite the obvious fact that humans cannot survive without breathing apparatus underwater.

2. Contextual Inconsistency: GPT-4 sometimes struggles to maintain consistency within a given context. It may provide conflicting or contradictory information in subsequent responses, leading to a breakdown in coherence. This issue arises due to the model’s reliance on statistical patterns rather than genuine comprehension.

3. Sensitivity to Input Phrasing: The way a question is phrased can significantly impact GPT-4’s response. Small changes in wording can lead to different answers, which highlights the model’s lack of robustness. This sensitivity can make it challenging to rely on GPT-4 for precise or specific information.

4. Bias and Ethical Concerns: AI models like GPT-4 can inadvertently reflect and amplify biases present in the training data. If the data used to train GPT-4 contains biases, the model may generate biased or discriminatory content. This raises ethical concerns and underscores the need for careful oversight and bias mitigation strategies.

5. Limited Factual Accuracy: GPT-4 might generate responses that are not entirely accurate or up to date. It relies on pre-existing information from its training data and may not have access to the most recent or reliable sources. Therefore, it is crucial to independently verify any information obtained from GPT-4.

6. Lack of Real-Time Interaction: GPT-4 is not designed for real-time, dynamic conversations. It analyzes and generates responses based on a given prompt but does not possess the ability to engage in meaningful back-and-forth exchanges. This limitation hinders its usefulness in situations that require real-time interaction and adaptation.

7. Insufficient Understanding of Images: While GPT-4 can process and analyze images, its ability to comprehend visual information is limited compared to its language processing capabilities. It may struggle to provide accurate or detailed descriptions of complex images, and its responses may lack visual context.

It is important to acknowledge these limitations when using GPT-4 or any AI model. Understanding its strengths and weaknesses helps manage expectations and ensures cautious and responsible utilization. Ongoing research and development aim to address these limitations and push the boundaries of AI capabilities further.