25 Things I’ve Learned About ChatGPT and Other AI Tools

I’ve been using ChatGPT since the day it was released. Back then, there were no fancy features, model picker, or alternative AI tools to choose from.

Things have changed in 2025 and I’d like to share with you some things I’ve learned so far:

1. A couple of times per year, you’ll see headlines about a new “world’s most powerful model.” Ignore the hype. Stick to ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, or whatever tool you use. Give it a couple of months, and the headlines will be about your tool

2. ChatGPT can make you more productive or dumb. An MIT study found that while AI can significantly boost productivity, it may also weaken your critical thinking. Use it as an assistant, not a substitute for your brain

3. If you’re a student, use study mode in ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude. When this feature is enabled, the chatbots will guide you through problems rather than just giving full answers (so you’ll be doing the critical thinking)

4. ChatGPT and other chatbots can confidently make stuff up (aka AI hallucinations). If you suspect something isn’t right, double-check its answers

5. NotebookLM hallucinates less than most AI tools, but it requires you to upload sources (PDFs, audio, video) and won’t answer questions beyond those materials. That said, it’s great for students and anyone with materials to upload

6. Probably the most underrated AI feature is deep research. It automates web searching for you and returns a fully cited report with minimal hallucinations in 5 to 30 minutes. It’s available in ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini, so give it a try

7. ChatGPT and other chatbots have a short-term memory limit. In long threads, they may lose earlier details. I’ve learned to periodically restate key points from the initial instructions or start a new chat when necessary

8. ChatGPT may occasionally misclassify a legitimate question as policy-violating. When it does, I reword the prompt or explain why I’m asking

9. Free < Plus < Pro. Paid tiers are worth it for the extra intelligence and features. Pro tiers go further and can give you an edge, though not everyone needs it. If you handle high-stakes tasks, try Pro at least for 1 month

10. You shouldn’t stick to the default ChatGPT mode. Go to the model picker and try instant, thinking mini, and thinking (here I explain each mode). If you have a pro subscription, use pro mode more often

11. The next big thing in AI is AI agents. An example is ChatGPT agent—think of it as ChatGPT with arms and legs. It doesn’t just respond to prompts. It can take actions on the web (visit sites, click buttons, scroll) and work toward a goal with minimal human input

12. Em dashes were around long before tools like ChatGPT ever existed, so don’t hesitate to use them if that is part of your writing style

13. It doesn’t hurt to learn the technical stuff behind AI tools. In fact, it can clarify some key concepts and make you more confident when you talk or use AI

14. ChatGPT can’t browse the web by default, but if you turn on “Web Search,“ it can even become a good replacement for Google Search (another good AI alternative is Perplexity)

15. It’s not wrong to use ChatGPT like Google Search sometimes. You’ll often get immediate answers and move faster. Just don’t forget to use temporary chats and projects to keep your chats tidy

16. Prompt crafting (or prompt engineering) is a skill you need to build if you want to make the most out of AI tools

17. AI moves fast, so you need to adapt. As ChatGPT gets smarter, some prompting techniques get outdated, while new ones emerge

18. Text expanders are a big time-saver for prompts. Tools like Alfred, Beeftext, or Text Blaze let you quickly type prompts and save, organize, and reuse prompt templates

19. You can be just as productive on the ChatGPT mobile app as on the web. On iPhone, the built-in Text Replacement feature works like a text expander and helps you type prompts faster. Find it under General→Keyboard→Text Replacement.

20. Use voice mode in your phone to brainstorm or talk through topics when you want a second opinion. I’ve tried this many times, and I’m usually satisfied with the results

21. ChatGPT speaks many languages. You can practice your speaking and writing skills anytime. For translation, it beats literal, word-for-word tools like Google Translate because it understands context, intent, and cultural nuance

22. Chatbots can be overly agreeable.. To get less agreeable responses, ask for opposing viewpoints, multiple perspectives, and a critical take (if possible, avoid inserting your own opinions)

23. Midjourney is great for generating outstanding AI images, but for beginners, ChatGPT offers a better balance of ease of use and image quality (just make sure you follow this simple tweak)

24. AI tools have made coding more accessible through vibe coding. However, if you don’t know (or want to learn) the basics of programming, you’ll waste your time, because, at least for now, you have to guide the AI, check its work, and put it on the right course

25. Some AI companies are more privacy-invasive than others. According to a report, Le Chat (Mistral AI), ChatGPT (OpenAI), and Grok (xAI) are the least privacy-invasive platforms. Meta AI and Gemini (Google) were found to be the most aggressive in data collection and the least transparent about their practices

Share in the comments something you’ve learned that you’d add to this list.