5
Coding
Strong for writing, explaining and debugging code, and for running small scripts in a sandbox. Pair it with a code-focused agent for large repositories.
ChatGPT: what it is and what it is best at
The most widely used general-purpose AI assistant, from drafting to data work to coding.
The short version
At a glance
Made byOpenAI
CategoryAssistants
Strongest atcoding, data & analytics, writing & documents
NameGPT stands for Generative Pre-trained Transformer: the model family that powers the product.
Overview
What ChatGPT is
ChatGPT is OpenAI's conversational assistant. It started as a chat window on top of the GPT language models and has grown into a workspace that can read files, analyse data, browse the web, generate images, run code and work through multi-step tasks.
Because it has the largest user base of any assistant, it is often the first tool a team tries. That makes it a good default for experimentation, and a good place to agree shared habits for review and information handling.
Current models. OpenAI's current models are the GPT-6 family, which public reports say began reaching ChatGPT users in October 2026. Names and plan availability change often, so confirm on OpenAI's release notes.
Where it is strong
Capability profile
Scores are Halden’s editorial view of typical fit on a 0–5 scale. They are not benchmark results and will differ by task, model version and plan: test on your own work.
Coding, analytics, documents, research
How it performs by task
5
Analysis & analytics
Upload a spreadsheet or CSV, ask for cleaning, charts and a written summary. Always check the method it used, not just the answer.
5
Documentation & writing
Excellent first drafts, rewrites for tone, summaries of long documents and meeting notes. Keep a human editor on anything external.
4
Research
Useful for framing a question and scanning sources; verify claims against the cited originals before you rely on them.
Practical tips
Get more from ChatGPT
- Give it the audience, the purpose, the constraints and the format you want, in that order.
- Use projects or custom instructions to keep context and house style consistent across a team.
- Ask it to show its working on analysis, then spot-check two or three numbers by hand.
Watch-outs
- Confident wording can hide weak sources: ask for citations and open them.
- Check the plan's data-sharing and retention settings before staff paste anything sensitive.
What has changed recently
Latest news and releases
- GPT-6 and Intelligent UI begin rolling out in ChatGPT
Public reports say GPT-6 reached paid ChatGPT plans on 7 October, with Free and Go users following on 8 October, alongside answers that can include buttons, forms and charts.
Source: Let's Data Science - Intelligent UI explained
Search Engine Journal covers how the new response format changes what a chat answer can look like.
Source: Search Engine Journal
Compiled on October 9, 2026 from public reporting, much of it secondary. Dates, names and specifications can change, so confirm on ChatGPT’s own site before you rely on them.
Go deeper
How-to guides for ChatGPT and similar tools
October 4, 2026 · 3 min readSetting up ChatGPT for a team: projects, custom instructions and connectorsGiving a team ChatGPT is easy. Making it consistent, safe and useful takes a little setup. Here is a practical checklist.September 16, 2026 · 3 min readHow to choose an AI assistant for your teamWith dozens of assistants available, the right choice is the one that fits your work, your information rules and your people. A structured trial beats a feature chart.September 23, 2026 · 3 min readAI for data analysis: a safe workflow from file to findingAssistants can clean data, chart it and write the story. A simple workflow keeps the speed and protects against confident mistakes.
Keep exploring
Compare with other tools
FAQ
ChatGPT: common questions
What is ChatGPT best for?
General drafting, analysis of files and data, brainstorming and coding help. It is a strong all-rounder, which is why many teams start with it.
Is ChatGPT safe for company information?
It depends on the plan and settings. Business and enterprise plans offer stronger controls than free accounts, but your organization still needs rules about what may be entered.
How is ChatGPT different from Claude or Gemini?
All three are strong general assistants. Differences show up in writing style, long-document handling, ecosystem fit and controls, so test them on your own tasks.
A next step
Choose tools on evidence from your own work.
Run a short pilot with the people who will use ChatGPT, measure the result, and decide with data, not hype.