OpenAI’s latest ChatGPT model, touted as having “PhD-level” intelligence, has faced scrutiny after users reported it struggles with simple tasks like labeling a map. The claim, part of OpenAI’s promotion for ChatGPT-5, has sparked debate about the gap between marketed capabilities and real-world performance. This concise article examines the controversy, the map-labeling issue, and its implications for AI credibility, tailored for those following the hype around advanced AI systems. The Issue: ChatGPT’s Map-Labeling Failures OpenAI announced ChatGPT-5 in June 2025, boasting “PhD-level reasoning” for complex tasks like scientific analysis and coding. However, users on platforms like X have highlighted its inability to accurately label maps. For example, when prompted to identify and label U.S. states or European countries on a...