Are you getting useful things out of LLMs (AI chatbots)?
Yes, but it's not that easy.
I use GPT-5, with a paid subscription (20 EUR/month, not so expensive). I did a small benchmark of some LLM (GPT, Grok, Yiaho, Gemini, and Mistral). Same prompt for all; GPT is the best for me. This is a bit biased because I have been using GPT for some time, so it is more "trained" to better match what I expect, this is the memory system : you can manage the content and the form of answers. AI is just a tool, you have to learn how to use it to get the best results. As a tool, AI doesn't think for you, doesn't make decisions for you; it's just another tool, an assistant. In my toolbox today I have: experimentation, analytical calculation, abacuses, finite element calculation, CAD software and one more ChatGPT.
I use GTP-5 daily for electrical and mechanical engineering, 3 uses:
- As a super web search engine, GPT-5 has real ability for searching and compiling data, unlike regular engines that just output SEO web sites.
- As general view tools for roughing out projects, to do and redo repetitive and off-putting calculations and validity estimates.
- To help me solve a very specific, well-defined problem, validation of the logic and calculations.
