ChatGPT Three Years In A Coworker Not A Commander

A WVU expert on artificial intelligence says after three years operating in the real world, AI models like ChatGPT excel when they defer to human decision-makers. (WVU Illustration/Katelyn Short)

From Novelty to Necessity The Three Year Journey of ChatGPT

As ChatGPT celebrates its third anniversary, its journey has been nothing short of transformative. According to a West Virginia University expert, the AI platform has rapidly evolved from a "neat demo" into a "default coworker" for many, reshaping our daily routines and professional workflows faster than anyone could have predicted.

This shift marks a significant milestone in the adoption of artificial intelligence in both governmental and business sectors. However, the key to its successful integration lies in understanding its role as a powerful assistant, not an autonomous decision-maker.

The AI Coworker A Human Centric Approach

Joshua Meadows, a service assistant professor and the director of Data Driven WV at the WVU John Chambers College of Business and Economics, emphasizes that ChatGPT's strength is in enhancing human capabilities, not replacing them.

"ChatGPT is now a household name and an essential business tool, but where it needs to shine is as a workflow assistant with accountability," Meadows states. "To serve our needs, ChatGPT must treat its own outputs merely as drafts, keeping humans responsible for decisions. That’s how its early promise is going to translate into repeatable, trustworthy results."

He explains that the platform excels at tasks involving information transformation. "Pair it with other tools, and you can generate first drafts of your emails, triage submissions to a website ‘contact us’ link, standardize spreadsheets or convert policies into step-by-step checklists," he adds. The formula for success involves creating a reliable prompt, implementing it, and continuously refining the process.

Balancing Strengths with Current Limitations

Despite its impressive capabilities, Meadows points out that ChatGPT has not yet mastered reliability. Key challenges remain that users and organizations must navigate carefully.

"Hallucinations and bias are better understood but not eliminated," he warns. "Long, multistep reasoning can still drift. Integrating external data or tools can be a problem."

Furthermore, critical issues like governance, privacy, and attribution are still a work in progress. The variable costs associated with its use also mean that "getting a return on investment still requires keeping a human in the loop."

The Path Forward Integrating AI Responsibly

The rapid pace of AI development has created an urgent need for new skills. Meadows notes this is reflected in university curricula, saying, "I now teach an entire course at WVU training undergraduates in AI consulting, because that’s what the field is already demanding."

Looking toward 2026, the clear lesson is that the most effective use of ChatGPT is to augment human labor, not replace it. Meadows concludes that organizations that establish clear guidelines and metrics are the ones reaping real benefits.

"Organizations that formalize guardrails like rules for data handling and metrics for measuring ChatGPT’s outcomes are seeing durable value," he says. "Organizations that skip those basics end up with one-off demos that don’t survive contact with real customers."