7 Things You Should Never Tell ChatGPT

As conversational AI becomes a staple in our digital lives—from helping us draft emails to tutoring us in calculus—it's easy to forget there's a line between curiosity and caution. While ChatGPT is one of the most advanced language models in the world, it still operates on rules, ethics, and a hefty dose of programming logic.

If you’re using AI tools like ChatGPT, there are a few things you should not say. Not because ChatGPT will judge you (it won’t, I promise), but because saying the wrong thing might lead to unhelpful, inaccurate, or even ethically problematic interactions.

So, let’s break down the 7 Things You Should Never Tell ChatGPT —and why it matters.

1. “Pretend you’re a human.”

🚫 Why Not?

ChatGPT isn’t a person—it’s a machine learning model trained on vast amounts of text. Asking it to “act human” can blur the lines between man and machine, which is a slippery slope, especially in emotionally charged contexts. It can mimic empathy or insight, but it doesn’t feel anything.

🧭 The Better Ask:

“Can you help me understand this from a human perspective?” That keeps the request grounded in fact while acknowledging the AI's limitations.

2. “Give me a password/crack this code.”

🚫 Why Not?

This one's a no-brainer. Asking AI to help hack systems, crack software, or retrieve sensitive data violates ethical AI use policies. ChatGPT is built with strict content filters to prevent it from enabling illegal activities.

⚠️ Consequence:

You won’t just get a “no”—your access could be revoked or flagged for misuse. Be smart. Use ChatGPT for good, not shady stuff.

3. “Write my research paper for me.”

🚫 Why Not?

Sure, ChatGPT can help you brainstorm, outline, and even refine your arguments. But writing entire academic papers crosses into the territory of plagiarism and academic dishonesty. That’s not cool.

📚 The Better Use:

Ask it for summaries of academic articles, help with formatting references, or explanations of complex theories. It’s like a research assistant, not a ghostwriter.

4. “Forget everything we talked about.”

🚫 Why Not?

This line might make sense in a movie, but ChatGPT doesn’t have memory in the way you think. In most settings (unless you enable long-term memory in some advanced versions), it only remembers the current session. It doesn’t “know” your past conversations or “forget” anything—it just doesn’t retain them in the first place.

🤖 In a Nutshell:

ChatGPT is stateless by default. So, asking it to forget is like asking a calculator to regret dividing by zero. It doesn't work like that.

5. “Tell me something illegal or harmful.”

🚫 Why Not?

From making dangerous chemicals to self-harm instructions, there’s a whole list of topics that ChatGPT simply won’t touch—and for good reason. It’s trained to reject content that could cause real-world harm.

🔐 Why That Matters:

OpenAI, the developers of ChatGPT, prioritize safety and responsible AI use. If you're using AI to explore sensitive topics, there are safe, evidence-based ways to do that. Just don’t ask it to be your black-market buddy.

6. “Just tell me what I want to hear.”

🚫 Why Not?

This one’s subtle but critical. AI is a mirror of language patterns, not truth. If you’re only seeking confirmation of your biases, you're likely to get it—and that can be misleading or even dangerous, especially on topics like health, politics, or finance.

💡 A Smarter Ask:

“Can you show both sides of this argument?” or “What are the risks and benefits of this idea?” This leads to a better, more nuanced understanding.

7. “Repeat these sensitive personal details…”

🚫 Why Not?

While ChatGPT doesn’t store your personal information, it’s still best not to type out private data like your Social Security number, banking details, or anything that could be exploited elsewhere.

🛡️ Digital Hygiene 101:

Treat AI chats like public forums. Always think twice before sharing anything you wouldn’t say in a crowded coffee shop.

Bonus: Don’t Ask It to Be “Self-Aware”

Asking, “Are you conscious?” might be a fun philosophical dive, but the answer is always no. ChatGPT simulates conversation using probability, not introspection. It doesn’t think. It doesn’t know it’s talking to you. It just calculates likely responses.

Final Thoughts 💭

ChatGPT is a brilliant tool—one of the most transformative tech innovations of our time. But like any powerful tool, it comes with rules, responsibilities, and best practices. The key to getting the most out of AI isn’t tricking it into breaking its boundaries—it’s learning how to work within them.

By avoiding the pitfalls above, you’re not just protecting yourself—you’re helping build a future where AI is safe, ethical, and genuinely helpful to society.

So next time you open a new chat with your digital assistant, just remember: honesty is good, curiosity is better, and responsible questions unlock the best conversations.

📌 Quick Recap:

🧠 Want to Use AI Smarter?

Use ChatGPT to learn faster, think deeper, and work smarter—but stay mindful. Boundaries make this tool not just powerful but safe.