Which AI is right for you? How to choose and how to let the AI teach you
Once you’ve had a first go, the next question is usually: which one should I stick with? You may have heard the names ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Copilot. All four can help with the things most people want to do, such as writing, planning, answering questions, creative projects and much more.
So how do you choose? The good news is that AI can actually help you decide while you’re using it. This post gives you the thinking behind the choice and the exact words to type.
ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Copilot: what’s the difference?
Claude (at claude.ai) tends to feel particularly warm and conversational. Many people find it writes in a very natural, thoughtful way and is excellent at anything involving language, such as letters, explanations and creative writing. It’s also very good at being patient and clear with beginners.
ChatGPT (at chatgpt.com) is the most widely known AI in the world and has been around a little longer. It’s extremely capable across a huge range of tasks and many people feel comfortable with it simply because they’ve heard of it before.
Gemini (at gemini.google.com) is made by Google. If you already use Gmail, Google Maps or YouTube, it can work alongside them when you’re signed in.
Copilot (at copilot.com) is made by Microsoft. If you already use a Windows computer or Microsoft’s Edge browser, it’s always close at hand.
Which do I use? Mostly ChatGPT and Claude. That’s not because they’re better than the others. I’ve used them the longest, I know their quirks and I work best with them. I’m Apple based, so that makes sense for me. Everything on my AI Creations page was made with one or the other and often both. If you have an Android phone, Gemini may suit you better. If you’re on a Windows computer, Copilot is already there.
All four are good enough that my best advice is simply to try one or two and see which feels more natural to you, the same way you might prefer one coffee shop over another without being able to quite explain why.
Whichever you choose, treat it the way you’d treat a good Google search. For most things, such as letters, ideas and explanations, you can simply get on with it. When an answer involves a booking, a payment, a health question or an official deadline, check the key detail with the organisation concerned, just as you would with anything you found online. You can even ask the AI to point you there: “Where can I check this for myself?”
Questions to ask yourself before you start
Rather than overthinking it, here are three simple questions worth reflecting on. What do I most want to use AI for? Writing, questions, creativity or something practical? Do I want something that feels like a conversation or something more direct and task-focused? Am I likely to want to pay for more features later or would I prefer to stay free for now? There are no right or wrong answers. They just help you get a sense of what matters to you.
The words to type to help you choose
Here’s the part I like best: once you’re on the page and logged in, you can simply ask it to teach you. There’s no course to take and no manual to read. Type any of the following (word for word if you like) and the AI will guide you through everything you need to know.
To find out what it can do for you personally, try:
“I’m completely new to AI. I’m in my 60s and I’d like to use it in my everyday life. Can you explain simply what you can help me with and suggest five things I could try today?”
To find out whether you should be paying for anything, try:
“I’m using the free version. What can I do for free and what would I get if I paid? Is it worth it for someone who just wants to use AI for everyday things?”
To compare them from inside one of them, try:
“How do you compare to the other AIs, such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Copilot? What are you better at and what might they do better? Be honest, I’m trying to decide which one to use.”
To get a proper feel for it straight away, try:
“Give me a simple task that will show me what you’re capable of, something practical that someone my age might find useful. Then help me do it.”
What’s next
Once you’ve picked one, the next thing is knowing what to ask it. My next post, The best first question to ask an AI, shows you how to get a useful answer straight away.
A note on dates. Everything here was checked when it was written and I go back over my posts regularly to keep them up to date. Apps, prices and rules do change, so for anything important a quick look at the official source is worth it.
See it live at one of Kevin’s talks
At Kevin’s free library presentations he opens up both Claude and ChatGPT on screen and shows exactly what happens when you type these prompts. Come along and watch. It makes everything click into place.
See upcoming library events Try apps, songs & games made with AI