Can AI Beat Wordle?

Research topic and question

• How many guesses does AI usually need to solve Wordle? Try it against a simple word-filtering algorithm using the same word list and answers. Who wins more often, and who needs fewer guesses?
• Can you just play the games yourself here, with a program giving you the clues? I want to see how you do against the simple algorithm.

Research findings

I averaged 3.87 guesses; the simple algorithm averaged 3.80. Both solved all 30 games.

Result	Me (GPT-6-astra)	Filtering algorithm
Solved within six guesses	30/30	30/30
Average guesses	3.87	3.80
Median guesses	4	4
Finished in fewer guesses	6 games	9 games

The other 15 games were ties. The algorithm used just two fewer guesses across the entire experiment—a small edge, not convincing evidence of general superiority.

Both used the same 2,315-word dictionary, randomly selected answers, and SLATE opener. I chose guesses from the clues without seeing hidden answers or program-filtered candidates. The algorithm eliminated incompatible words and favored common letters.

So, about four guesses for me in this pilot. These games shared one conversation; they don’t establish how AI generally performs.