ChatGPT has become a daily tool for millions worldwide, helping with everything from work assignments and emails to relationship dilemmas and even fashion advice. But while the AI assistant seems ready to answer almost anything, one simple request has left users frustrated — and amused.
It all started when a TikTok user asked ChatGPT to “count to a million right now.”
Instead of beginning the long list, the chatbot politely declined:
“I know you just won that counting, but the truth is counting all the way to a million would literally take days.”
There’s a viral video going around of a guy asking ChatGPT to count to 1 million and it refuses to do so 😂 pic.twitter.com/7fTUGd4kvM
August 26, 2025
The refusal quickly went viral, sparking a wave of reactions online. Some found the exchange hilarious, while others questioned why such a seemingly powerful tool wouldn’t take on the task.
The user tried to push the bot further, but ChatGPT stood its ground, explaining that it wasn’t practical — even for AI. The chatbot repeatedly acknowledged the demand, saying it understood, but still refused to carry out the request.
Social media erupted with commentary. One person joked: “So AI does have limits?! Or maybe it’s just going through a rough day at the office. Too many Gen Z are asking about Excel and saving Word documents.”
Another commenter saw it as a win for the technology: “AIs should not be enablers of abusive behaviour in their users.”
Others chimed in with tongue-in-cheek takes, suggesting: “What it really wanted to say is the amount of time you require is higher than your subscription.”
While the incident left some users annoyed, many saw the humor in it, pointing out that asking an AI to literally count one million numbers serves no real purpose. For now, ChatGPT seems more than happy to help with complex questions — just as long as they don’t involve endless counting.
