In the world of generative AI, we’ve moved beyond using chatbots just for assistance with tasks. AI is now starting to play a deeper role in helping us learn more about ourselves. One interesting trend, recently popularized on the social network X (formerly Twitter) by Tom Morgan, revolves around a simple yet profound question to ask ChatGPT:
"From all of our interactions, what is one thing that you can tell me about myself that I may not know about myself?"
This question taps into ChatGPT’s memory feature—if enabled—to offer a reflective look into your habits, preferences, and possibly, your character. Some users have found the responses to be surprisingly insightful, and this has sparked a broader conversation about AI's potential to offer more than just practical advice.
A Surprising Take on Self-Awareness
When asked this question, many ChatGPT users have been moved by the responses. While some skeptics, like AI expert Simon Willison, have compared the answers to horoscopes, others, including OpenAI’s own CEO Sam Altman, have praised the trend. Altman even shared his enthusiasm for the question on his X account, saying "love this" in response to Morgan’s post.
For those with the memory feature turned on, ChatGPT draws from past conversations to deliver answers that are personalized, reflecting details from previous interactions. As journalist Carl Franzen described, when he asked ChatGPT the question, it noted that he was a journalist, a response rooted in his usage of the chatbot. It wasn’t a random observation but one crafted from stored data, making it feel tailored and relevant.
A New Role for AI
The key takeaway here is how AI is evolving in unexpected ways. More than a tool for productivity, it's becoming a kind of digital mirror—revealing aspects of our work style, personality, and perhaps even our motivations. While it might seem far-fetched, some users have started viewing AI's responses as a new form of self-reflection.
Regular users of ChatGPT, especially those with memory enabled, can now explore this side of AI, asking questions that are introspective rather than purely functional. Whether it’s a light-hearted prompt like, “Roast me like a Comedy Central special,” or a more serious question about one's character, AI's responses often spark curiosity and can inspire new ways of thinking.
More Than Just a Trend
As we approach the two-year anniversary of ChatGPT’s launch, it’s clear that AI is becoming embedded in the way we live and think. The question—posed by Morgan and popularized by others—demonstrates AI’s growing role in our personal lives. It shows that the more we use these tools, the more creative we become in finding new ways to interact with them.
But it doesn’t stop there. Some users have pushed the boundaries of AI's capabilities even further, experimenting with different models like OpenAI's new o1 preview reasoning model to see how responses vary. Others have asked for brutally honest critiques from AI, while some have taken it in a humorous direction, asking for comedic roasts.
Why You Should Ask ChatGPT This Question Today
At its core, this trend is about curiosity. It invites us to see how an AI—trained to assist with everything from homework to work tasks—can give us a different perspective on ourselves. So, if you use ChatGPT regularly, it might be worth a try. You might be surprised by what it has to say, and in the process, learn something new about yourself.
In the rapidly advancing age of AI, tools like ChatGPT are becoming more than just digital assistants—they’re mirrors that help us reflect on who we are, what we do, and where we might be going. And that, in itself, makes AI one of the most fascinating technologies of our time.
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