What are LLMs Good for?

LLMs (large language models) are the brains behind tools like ChatGPT. They’re designed to read, write, and understand language in a way that feels surprisingly human. But what can you actually use them for, and when are they not the right tool for the job?

What LLMs Are Great At

Turning Messy Info Into Organized Data

Most of us have a ton of unorganized information: emails, meeting notes, customer feedback, or even handwritten logs. LLMs can read through all this and help turn it into something structured, like a neat table or a list. For example, if you have pages of old research notes, an LLM can help pull out important details and organize them so you can actually use the information.

Sorting and Tagging Things

LLMs are great at looking at a bunch of stuff and sorting it into categories. Imagine you run a support desk and want to quickly spot which messages are urgent. An LLM can read each message and tag it as “urgent” or “not urgent.” This saves time and helps you focus on what matters most.

Answering Questions

You can ask LLMs questions, anything from “What’s the weather like in Paris?” to “Can you summarize this article for me?” They’re especially useful when you want a quick answer or a summary. Just remember, they don’t always have the latest info unless they’re connected to the internet or a database, and sometimes they might get things wrong.

Acting as Digital Helpers

LLMs can do more than just answer questions, they can take actions, too. For example, they can help write emails, generate code, or even interact with other apps for you. This is a newer use, but it’s growing fast.

When LLMs Aren’t the Best Choice

Simple Chatbots

If you just need a chatbot that gives set answers to set questions, LLMs might be overkill. They’re creative and flexible, but that means they might say something unexpected or off-topic. For basic customer service bots, traditional software is often safer and easier to control.

Tasks With Clear, Simple Rules

If a task can be done with a checklist or a calculator, stick with regular software. LLMs are best when you need flexibility or creativity, not when you need the same answer every time, with zero mistakes.

The Takeaway

LLMs are powerful tools for:

• Organizing messy, unstructured information
• Sorting and tagging data
• Answering questions and summarizing info
• Acting as digital assistants

But for straightforward, rule-based tasks, or when you need something to work the exact same way every time, traditional software is usually a better fit.

If you’re drowning in information or have a complicated problem that’s tough to pin down, LLMs can help you make sense of it all. For everything else, simple solutions are often best.