The Myth of the Perfect Prompt: Why ChatGPT’s Responses Vary

If you’ve used AI tools like ChatGPT, you’ve probably noticed something strange. One moment, it delivers a brilliant, spot-on response. The next, it completely misses the mark.

What’s going on?

Many assume that a perfectly crafted prompt guarantees a great answer. While writing a clear request helps, it’s only part of the story. Even with a well-structured prompt, AI responses can still be inconsistent.

That’s because ChatGPT isn’t a magic box spitting out perfect answers. Instead, it reacts to multiple factors in real-time—including the tools available in your session, the system’s current conditions, and how the model processes your request.

Beyond Prompt Engineering: The Kitchen Analogy

Think of AI responses like hosting a birthday party. No matter how well you plan, unexpected factors can still shape the experience.

1. The Prompt: The Invitation

Imagine you’re planning a birthday party and ask your friends for ideas.

If you say, “Hey, let’s celebrate!”, expect random suggestions—ordering pizza, going to a restaurant, or hosting a dinner at home. The lack of detail results in a variety of responses, some more useful than others.

Now, imagine you refine your request: “I’m hosting a birthday dinner at my house for 30 friends. It should be informal but elegant, with great food and drinks.”

This time, your friends’ suggestions are far more relevant. Some might recommend a full-service catering team, while others suggest a DIY cocktail bar with a bartender or a buffet-style setup.

Just like with ChatGPT, a well-structured question leads to better suggestions, but it doesn’t guarantee the perfect result.

2. The AI Model: The Catering Service

Now that you’ve planned your party, it’s time to choose how the catering will work.

You have two main options:

• Full-service catering – Everything is handled for you, including food, drinks, staff, and cleanup.

• Food-only service – The catering team provides the food, but you have to sort out drinks, hire staff, and manage logistics.

This is similar to choosing between GPT-4 and GPT-3.5. Both can deliver great results, but one comes with built-in capabilities, while the other requires more effort from you to fill in the gaps. Even if you choose the best model (full-service catering), your party’s success still depends on real-time conditions.

3. The Operational Environment: What Happens on the Night

Now, let’s say everything is booked. You’ve ticked all the boxes: a perfect menu, a top-tier catering service, and a full team to manage the event. Everything should be flawless.

But when the night arrives, things don’t go exactly as planned:

• The head chef is unavailable, so they send a substitute.

• Your favourite wine is out of stock, and they bring an alternative.

• Your oven breaks, making some dishes harder to prepare.

• The bartender doesn’t speak your language, leading to miscommunication.

At first, these issues seem like potential disasters. But then, things take an unexpected turn:

• The replacement chef is Michelin-starred, and the food is even better than expected.

• The substitute wine becomes your new favourite.

• The chef brings a professional oven, saving the meal.

• The bartender, despite the language barrier, is an award-winning mixologist, making the cocktail station the highlight of the night.

This is exactly how ChatGPT’s operational environment works.

Even with the best model and a perfectly crafted prompt, system conditions, available tools, and real-time variablesinfluence the response. Some days, everything aligns perfectly. Other times, constraints or unexpected factors change the outcome—sometimes for the worse, but occasionally for the better.

How to Get More Reliable Responses

Instead of obsessing over the perfect prompt, focus on adjusting your approach when needed:

• Set the right tone early. If you want a detailed analysis, say so. If you’re looking for creativity, specify that upfront.

• Read the first response carefully. If it feels off—too vague, too robotic, or overly detailed—adjust your approach.

• Restart if necessary. If ChatGPT keeps missing the point, start a new session. Sometimes a reset makes all the difference.

• Accept its limits. AI isn’t perfect. No single model excels at everything, and expecting flawless results every time leads to frustration.

Final Thoughts

Mastering AI isn’t just about writing the perfect prompt. It’s about understanding how it works and adapting when needed. Even the best-crafted request won’t guarantee success if the system’s conditions aren’t aligned in that moment.

So, the next time ChatGPT surprises you with an unexpected answer, ask yourself:
Is the issue my question, or is the "kitchen" just having an off day?