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AI & ML·expert

GPT-4

OpenAI's flagship reasoning model

GPT-4 (and successors GPT-4o, GPT-4.1) is OpenAI's flagship general-purpose model. I use it for reasoning-heavy tasks, multimodal inputs, and as a strong default when I'm not sure which model fits.

3+years in production
35+projects shipped
expertproficiency

My take

Why I use GPT-4

GPT-4 is the model I default to when I don't have benchmark evidence pointing me elsewhere. It reasons reliably, follows instructions, handles vision, and integrates with tool calling - a strong all-rounder.

Want the broader stack philosophy? Read about how Sri picks tools or browse engineering insights.

Honest assessment

Strengths & tradeoffs

No tool is perfect. Here's what shines and what to watch for.

Strengths

  • Strong reasoning and instruction following
  • Native multimodal (text + image + audio)
  • Reliable tool/function calling
  • Mature ecosystem of integrations
  • Predictable behavior across releases

Tradeoffs (honestly)

  • Premium pricing relative to small open models
  • Knowledge cutoff requires retrieval augmentation
  • Subject to OpenAI rate limits and policy

Fit assessment

When to reach for GPT-4

Pick the right tool for the job.

Best fits

Multi-step agent workflows

Document understanding with vision

Code generation and review

Customer support copilots

Not ideal for

Bulk classification where small models suffice

On-device or air-gapped deployments

Common use cases

Complex reasoningMultimodal analysisAgentic workflowsCode generation

Resources

Learn more

Curated official docs, tutorials, and writing on GPT-4.

Need help with GPT-4?

Whether you're starting fresh or optimizing an existing implementation, I can help you get the most out of this technology. Read more in insights or get in touch.

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