Why ChatGPT struggles to tell time accurately
28 Nov 2025

ChatGPT, the AI chatbot developed by OpenAI, has a major flaw. It cannot tell time accurately.

The issue has been widely discussed on platforms like Reddit and OpenAI's own forums.

One user even urged the company to "pay attention to this" as it gives "a bad name" to their advanced AI model.

Inconsistent responses to time inquiries
Response variability

When asked about the current time, ChatGPT's responses are often inconsistent.

Sometimes, it outright says it can't provide the information because it doesn't have access to real-time data or location.

Other times, it gives an approximate time for a specific city or timezone but fails to do so accurately every time.

This inconsistency has been frequently discussed and noted by users regarding the AI's capabilities.

Technical limitations behind ChatGPT's inability to tell time
AI constraints

ChatGPT's inability to tell time isn't just a bug, but a result of the way generative AI systems work.

Unlike computers and phones that have real-time clocks, large language models like ChatGPT are designed to generate answers based on their training data.

This data doesn't include real-time information such as the current time unless they specifically search for it online.

Potential for ChatGPT to access real-time information
Access possibilities

Despite its current limitations, there is a possibility for ChatGPT to access real-time information.

For instance, when the "Search" function was enabled on the desktop app of ChatGPT, it could provide the correct time for Milan, Italy.

This suggests that if given access to system clocks or other real-time data sources, ChatGPT could potentially tell time accurately.

Trade-offs of real-time access in AI systems
Information management

However, giving AI models like ChatGPT access to real-time information comes with its own challenges.

Each time it checks a system clock, it adds more information to its context window.

This could lead to what AI robotics expert Yervant Kulbashian calls "clock clutter," which might confuse the system over time.

Limitations in understanding time-related tasks
Task difficulties

Beyond telling time, ChatGPT also struggles with other time-related tasks.

For example, it has difficulty reading the positions of clock hands on analog clocks and understanding calendars.

These limitations highlight the broader challenges AI models face when dealing with real-time information and temporal concepts.