What Are ChatGPT’s Knowledge Cutoff Dates and Why They Matter

ChatGPT’s knowledge cutoff dates are one of the greatest limitations of this AI tool. These dates mark the last point in time when ChatGPT was trained on data—which means information, news, or other updates appearing after this date will not be included in the model’s vault of knowledge.

This can restrict its ability to provide the most up-to-date answers. ChatGPT is unaware of anything that happened beyond its training cutoff dates, making it unable to answer questions about recent events, new scientific discoveries, or emerging trends.

For many users, this can be frustrating, especially when they have assumed ChatGPT’s answers are current and comprehensive, without being aware of this major limitation. This isn’t just a problem with ChatGPT though. It is a common issue across all large language models (LLMs) and a shared challenge they face.

Recent ChatGPT’s Knowledge Cutoff Dates

According to otterly.ai, these are ChatGPT’s knowledge cutoff dates for the recent versions:

It’s worth highlighting the confusion surrounding the exact dates due to inconsistent information from different sources. This discussion on the OpenAI forum shows an instance where a user received a different knowledge cutoff date when referring to ChatGPT’s documentation and when he asked ChatGPT.

The Role of Knowledge Cutoff Dates in ChatGPT

The data used to train ChatGPT includes a wide range of internet text, books, and other publicly available information up until that cutoff date.

As you can imagine, there’s an enormous amount of information out there waiting for ChatGPT to consume. And new content and data keep coming up every day, every minute, or even every second. There is a limit to how much the AI can handle, and it’s unrealistic to expect it to be fed with every single piece of information the world produces.

So one practical way to manage this is to set up “information freeze points”, beyond which new data is not incorporated into the model. These freeze points allow developers to establish a clear boundary on what the model knows, and for the users to understand what to expect and what not to.

3 Main Reasons Why Do Knowledge Cutoff Dates Exist

Technical Limitations

Training a model like ChatGPT involves processing vast amounts of data using advanced algorithms and powerful computer systems. This process is complex and resource-intensive, and can easily take weeks or even months to complete. It is not practical to update the model frequently—such as on a daily basis. So the training data is typically frozen at a certain point.

Practical Constraints

Each update requires gathering, filtering, and preparing vast amounts of new data to feed into the model during training. For example, the developers must ensure this data does not introduce misinformation or biases into ChatGPT’s responses. This effort is crucial for maintaining the quality of the AI. Like the technical limitations mentioned earlier, these processes are resource-intensive, and they limit how often updates can be pushed out.

Ensuring Quality

Updating a model too often (even when it’s “only” information updates) without thorough checks could lead to inaccuracies or unintended behaviors. ChatGPT’s knowledge cutoff dates allow developers to test and fine-tune the model, balancing the need for current information with maintaining reliability and safety.

How Knowledge Cutoff Dates Impact ChatGPT’s Performance

Limitations in Up-to-Date Information

The most significant impact of the training cutoffs—and the “most frustrating” limitation for the general users—is that ChatGPT cannot provide information on recent events or the latest developments. After all, we live in a fast-paced world, and people naturally expect an Artificial Intelligence like ChatGPT to keep up with the most current information. Unfortunately, due to its fixed knowledge base, ChatGPT could fall short of those expectations.

See the example below from the OpenAI forum. A user asked ChatGPT about the specifications of the iPhone 14, and it couldn’t provide an answer because it lacked updated information:

(Captured on 30 August 2024 from OpenAI Community Forum, “Knowledge cutoff date of September 2021”, https://community.openai.com/t/knowledge-cutoff-date-of-september-2021/66215)

Accuracy vs. Recency

While ChatGPT remains accurate for topics that don’t change frequently, such as historical facts or scientific principles, it can struggle with subjects that require up-to-date knowledge. Users might find that the model provides outdated information when they expect the latest updates.

For example, we asked ChatGPT about the latest COVID-19 vaccines available, and it answered based on the most recent update it has from December 2023. Newer vaccines might be available (or not), but it would not be aware of it unless it uses its new web-browsing function.

Examples of Common Misunderstandings

Uninformed users may ask ChatGPT about stock prices, recent sports results, or new product launches, and expect accurate, current responses. Because of the knowledge cutoff dates, ChatGPT’s responses in these cases might be misleading or completely outdated.

The following screenshot shows the response received by a user asking an older ChatGPT model about the current Apple stock price:

(Captured on 30 August 2024 from Reddit Forum, “Do Chat gpt plus have real time access to stock price and charts. Free version’s cutoff is way too old”, https://www.reddit.com/r/ChatGPT/comments/11vddi1/do_chat_gpt_plus_have_real_time_access_to_stock/)

What Can Be Done Then?

ChatGPT’s Web Browsing Capabilities

ChatGPT’s developers are well aware of the issues caused by knowledge cutoffs, and the AI is evolving to better bridge the gap between its training data and the current world.

Newer versions of ChatGPT, such as ChatGPT-4 and ChatGPT-4o, are capable of browsing the web to capture the latest information. If we ask ChatGPT about Apple’s current price, for example, it could retrieve it from the Internet:

Verify with Recent Sources

As we have stressed numerous times on this website, users have the due diligence to cross-check ChatGPT’s responses with current sources, such as news websites or official updates, to ensure accuracy. The good old Google is still our good friend even in this AI era.

Adjust Expectations

Knowing ChatGPT’s limitations allows users to adjust their expectations. (We’re glad you found this article and learned about ChatGPT’s knowledge cutoff dates—so please share it with your friends!)

Instead of asking for the latest news, users can ask for background information or general insights, and then verify the specifics elsewhere. And remember to always maintain a healthy dose of skepticism towards answers from ChatGPT!

Conclusion

While ChatGPT serves as a powerful and intelligent assistant, drawing on its vast training data, its fixed knowledge boundaries can limit its ability to offer up-to-date information on recent events or developments.

As we become increasingly reliant on AI for everyday and professional needs, having a keen awareness of these limitations helps set realistic expectations. So, the next time you interact with ChatGPT, feel free to leverage its strengths but recognize its boundaries.