I’ve tested ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Perplexity — here’s my honest take.

In a recent talk on artificial intelligence, someone asked me the question I hear all the time: Which AI tool is best for what?

It’s a fair question. New names keep popping up, each promising more than the last. But what most professionals really want to know is: What can this actually do for me — today?

Here’s how I use each one in my own work:

• ChatGPT (GPT-4o) – my starting point for almost everything. I use it to think out loud, draft content, structure complex ideas, and explore different angles.
• Perplexity – when I need information backed by solid references. It gives me peace of mind that I’m reading real science, not hallucinated citations.
• Claude (Anthropic) – my go-to for long-form writing. It helps me trim, clarify, and stay focused when things get too dense.
• Gemini (Google) – I use it as an external auditor. I check results, validate tables or visuals, and get a second perspective when I want to make sure I’m not stuck in a single frame.
• Copilot (Microsoft) – I use it to express ideas faster, adjust tone depending on the context, and sometimes add loops in emails so colleagues can review or follow up. It doesn’t create for me, but it definitely saves time.

My takeaway: there’s no single “best AI.” What matters is building a personal ecosystem—knowing what to ask from each tool, and when.

If you ask me how important it is to use them well, I’d say this:

• Artificial intelligence is like a Stradivarius. In the wrong hands, it can sound terrible. But in the right hands, it can turn technique into something close to art.

The best AI isn’t the newest or most expensive. It’s the one you know how to use with purpose, clarity, and skill.

How are you combining yours?