ChatGPT: what it is, how it works and tips for using the tool

Launched in late 2022 to understand questions and build intelligent responses, it opens doors to a new type of interaction with technology.

Since then, it has gained popularity very quickly , provoking conflicting feelings about the use of artificial intelligence .

Just over two months after its debut, it already had more than 100 million users , having even registered a record of 1 million in just 5 days.

And interest has only grown since then.

In March 2025, the website had 4.5 billion visits, an increase from 3.9 billion in February and 3.8 billion in January.

They all use it often. All this just goes to show ChatGPT as one of the best things since sliced bread when it comes to artificial intelligence.

With it, it is possible to transform simple questions into complex ideas, projects and practical solutions .

What is ChatGPT?

ChatGPT (acronym for “Generative Pre-Trained Transformer”) is a language model based on deep learning, a branch of artificial intelligence.

In practice, the platform uses an algorithm based on neural networks that allows a conversation to be established with the user by processing an immense volume of data.

ChatGPT relies on thousands of examples of human language .

This allows the technology to understand the context of user requests in depth and respond to demands more accurately.

The tool began to be developed in 2018-2019 , by the North American company OpenAI , which operates as an AI research laboratory.

It has Elon Musk as one of its founders, although the billionaire is no longer part of the board of directors.

Other names that make up the roster of founders include:

• Sam Altman (current CEO)
• Peter Thiel (PayPal)
• Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn).

Additionally, OpenAI receives financial investment from other organizations to stimulate the development of its technological innovations .

What is the difference between ChatGPT and a conventional chatbot?

While ChatGPT is a language model technology capable of understanding the meaning of sentences, a traditional chatbot relies on previously established rules .

This allows ChatGPT to develop much more complex conversations and answer an infinite number of questions.

Thus, it is a more dynamic and flexible technology.

Therefore, they do not have the ability to answer any user question, only those they were programmed to answer.

For example, when you enter a certain website and have the possibility to chat with a chatbot, the tool has already been programmed to follow certain paths , depending on your questions and answers.

So much so that, when a situation arises that the chat cannot resolve, it often directs the service to a human agent.

In the case of ChatGPT, it can decode questions and answer them even if they are asked for the first time.

This happens because the tool’s operation does not depend on a predefined context.

How does ChatGPT work?

ChatGPT is an online conversational tool that can be accessed through the official website: chat.openai.com .

It works from an updated knowledge base that allows it to decode words to offer textual answers to people.

It is a model trained using text data available on the internet.

It is possible to use the free version of the tool, but there are also paid plans with advantages for those who use them.

From the user's perspective, it is possible to:

• Establish a conversation with the tool
• Ask questions on various topics
• Ask about any concept
• Request lyrics and poems
• Request information.

The model works collaboratively , as users can correct the information provided by the tool.

Additionally, conversations are stored and can be consulted later, and the tool is trained to reject inappropriate requests.

Through an API, ChatGPT can also be integrated with other tools , such as.

• Word
• Bing
• Chatbots
• WhatsApp Business.

This integration flexibility further expands your application possibilities.

Unlike a search engine like Google, ChatGPT does not retrieve information, but creates sentences and complete texts in real time.

What is the difference between ChatGPT 4 and version 4o?

ChatGPT-4o is a significant evolution of ChatGPT-4, bringing improvements in performance, speed, and cost.

The main difference is the native integration of multimodal capabilities, allowing ChatGPT-4o to process text, voice and image more fluidly.

Additionally, the 4th responds faster , has lower latency, and offers more natural interactions, especially via voice.

Another advantage is that the 4o model is available for free, albeit with limitations, while GPT-4 was restricted to the paid Plus plan.

What is GPT-4.5 and what changes compared to GPT-4.0?

GPT-4.5 is a robust evolution of GPT-4, improving logical reasoning ability, stability, and performance on complex tasks.

This version features major improvements in coding, mathematics , and the generation of long, more cohesive texts.

While GPT-4.0 stands out for its speed and multimodal capabilities (text, audio, and image), GPT-4.5 remains superior in contexts that require in-depth analysis and high-quality textual production.

See the table below for a comparison between the versions.

What are the latest updates to ChatGPT?

ChatGPT received several important updates in 2024, focusing on user experience and expanding functionality .

Newer features include persistent memory, task scheduling, native model imaging, and improved multimodal analysis.

These new features make ChatGPT more productive, personalized and interactive , benefiting both regular and professional users.

Let's learn more about the new features?

Persistent Memory

Persistent memory allows ChatGPT to remember information provided by the user in previous interactions, such as name, preferences, and frequent topics.

This feature makes conversations more natural and personalized over time.

Memory can be enabled or disabled at any time in the user profile settings.

Task scheduling

With task scheduling, ChatGPT starts to work as a practical assistant for organizing appointments, reminders and routines.

It is possible to create, edit and consult tasks directly in the interface, using simple commands.

This feature integrates with other applications and calendars, improving the user's time management .

Image Generation

The new image generation functionality uses models such as DALL·E to create images from textual descriptions .

Now, it is possible to interact with the generated image, requesting edits directly through text commands.

This tool is useful for designers, marketers , and educators.

Multimodal Analysis

Multimodal analysis allows ChatGPT to understand and interpret different types of input at the same time, such as text, audio, and images .

With this capability, the model can, for example, describe images, interpret graphics or transcribe audio, offering a richer and more interactive experience for the user.