ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, is a powerful language model designed to assist users with a range of tasks. It’s an ideal tool for everything from drafting emails and social media posts to brainstorming creative ideas and customer support. With both a free version (GPT-3.5) and an upgraded model, GPT-4o, available through the ChatGPT Plus plan for $20/month, ChatGPT offers flexibility for all types of users.

Strengths

ChatGPT’s conversational capabilities make it a standout choice for users seeking a natural, interactive AI experience. In addition to text-based responses, ChatGPT now includes a voice feature on mobile, allowing you to speak directly to the AI and receive spoken responses in return—making it feel like a real conversation. This hands-free option is perfect for brainstorming ideas while on the go, discussing complex topics, or practicing important conversations.

Data Access: Real-Time Search for Premium Users

One major advantage of ChatGPT’s Plus plan is access to real-time web search. While the free version (GPT-3.5) is limited to information available up to September 2021, GPT-4o can retrieve the latest data, making it ideal for finding current news, recent research, or timely information. This feature, available only in the premium version, allows ChatGPT to answer questions with current details, similar to Perplexity AI’s capabilities on its free plan.

Example Use Cases for Nutrition Clinicians:

  • Research & Evidence Analysis: “Can you summarize recent systematic reviews on vitamin D supplementation in elderly patients?” or “What does the latest research say about MCT oil use in ketogenic diets?”
  • Clinical Case Support: “I have a patient with celiac disease and diabetes. What nutrient interactions should I keep in mind?” or “Can you help me create a meal plan template for a vegetarian patient with iron-deficiency anemia?”
  • Patient Education Materials: “Can you help me create a simple handout explaining the glycemic index?” or “What are some easy meal prep tips I can share with busy patients?”
  • Brainstorming & Role-Playing: “Let’s brainstorm ideas for a social media post about whole food benefits,” or “Can we role-play a conversation with a client resistant to dietary changes?”
  • Resource Verification: “Is this claim about omega-3 benefits evidence-based?” or “Can you help verify my calculations for a patient’s energy needs?”

Important Note

It’s important to note that any AI chatbots are still highly susceptible to bias and hallucination (AI will confidently generate false information), so it’s crucial to check your facts. Avoid using them for dispensing professional advice, such as matters concerning medical, financial, or legal issues.

Where to Find It

You can access ChatGPT on chatgpt.com, and for those who want even quicker access, the ChatGPT Chrome extension allows you to interact with ChatGPT directly from your browser’s search bar.

The new voice feature and search capabilities, combined with ChatGPT’s existing strengths, make it a valuable tool for both personal and professional use. Whether you’re a solopreneur, student, or professional, ChatGPT offers a reliable and efficient way to access the information and support you need.

Updates

12/3/24 Since writing this post, ChatGPT has introduced two exciting features: web browsing and source citation. These updates make it easier than ever to access up-to-date information and evaluate the reliability of ChatGPT’s responses.

With these features, you can:

  • See where the information comes from with source citations, empowering you to judge its quality.
  • Access real-time information for more relevant and accurate answers.

For a deeper dive into these features see ChatGPT Can Now Cite Sources—Here’s Why It’s So Useful.