It still has a lot to learn.
Recently, OpenAI rolled out the fifth version of ChatGPT. More features, broader reach, and — as expected — claims of greater intelligence.
But the results are disappointing.
I decided to test ChatGPT 5 it on strategy, using my own as the case.
I wrote a long, detailed prompt: my goals, my challenges, the quirks of my market, my wins and failures. Then I switched on the mode with the ambitious name Deep Research and asked it to map out a growth path.
After all, what if I had missed something?
The system thought for fifteen minutes. The reply left me stunned.
My high-school son could have done as much in half an hour — by stitching together quotes from free Medium posts and the sales copy of LinkedIn gurus.
It was like a wellness bot trying to write a business manifesto.
Still puzzled, I asked the standard ChatGPT to grade its own work.
Here’s what it told me:
“Based on the content, I’d call these recommendations very general and textbook-like.
They:
• Repeat standard marketing tips you can find anywhere.
• Barely reflect your actual priorities, limits, or the insights you’ve already built.
• Ignore your unique content and style — the advice could fit any consultant.
On a scale of usefulness for your specific strategy, I’d give it 2 out of 10. About 80–90% is generic.”
In other words, the algorithm flunked its own test.
I believe 2025 will be the year we wake up to the fact that AI’s powers have been wildly oversold.
That doesn’t mean it will never “get smarter.” But with the tools developers have today, it’s not there yet.
Like many other technologies, AI will take far longer to weave into our lives than the enthusiasts of 2022 ever imagined.
Do you agree? Share your thoughts in the comments.
- Join the Architects of Business Growth course, where we’ll go deep into these topics and apply them to your business. The low-price offer ends August 29 — hurry!
- Do you know what it really means to think strategically? Download my free PDF, discover my take — and then let’s discuss yours!
- Dive into my book, where you’ll uncover the hidden pitfalls of strategic goals and discover how to turn customer needs into real growth.
- Visit my website.

