ChatGPT, Gemini & Copilot: Which AI platform is right for you?

There are many options when it comes to AI, but I have found myself going to each of the big three for different reasons.

The three big AI names I am talking about are ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot. Each has its strengths, and understanding their differences has helped me get the most out of each, while avoiding some frustration.

ChatGPT

Think of ChatGPT as your creative sidekick. It’s designed to help you reason through problems, brainstorm new ideas, and even write code or poetry. Conversations feel natural, and it handles both text and images with ease.

• Strengths: Powerful reasoning, creativity, coding, and multimodal capabilities.
• Limitations: Without web access, it doesn’t always have the latest info. Also, depending on the version, it can be pricey.
• Best For: Creativity, deep thinking, storytelling, and general conversations.
• One way I use it: When delivering training, I make notes if people leave me a target. I use ChatGPT to turn this text into a spreadsheet that I can use in a mail merge.

Copilot

Copilot is Microsoft’s answer to productivity-focused AI. It’s tightly integrated with tools like Word, Excel, and Teams, which makes it ideal for the workplace. If your day is full of emails, reports, and meetings, this one’s for you.

• Strengths: Works natively in Microsoft Office, great at summarising and generating structured business content.
• Limitations: Less helpful outside the Microsoft ecosystem. Conversations can feel a bit… robotic.
• Best For: Business, productivity, and professional environments.
• One way I use it: When preparing documents with external links, I ask Copilot to check that all my external links work, saving me from clicking on each one.

Gemini

Formerly Bard, now Google’s Gemini is made for those who either live in the Google universe or need an up-to-date response. It pulls in live web data, meaning you get real-time information.

• Strengths: Always online with access to the latest info, seamless Google integration.
• Limitations: Can struggle with reasoning and more complex tasks. Tends to be over-cautious and sometimes avoids answering tougher questions.
• Best For: Quick, up-to-date searches and Google Workspace users.
• One way I use it: I haven’t used Gemini for work at DSC, however, I have used its up-to-date AI search to help me find a local surveyor for a house move.

How to choose?

There’s no “one-size-fits-all” AI tool, and I think that can be a good thing. We just have to make sure we pick the tool for the task:

• Use ChatGPT when you’re stuck on a tricky idea or need a creative boost.
• Use Copilot when you’re knee-deep in spreadsheets or working in Office.
• Use Gemini when you require the latest news.

AI isn’t here to replace our skills, it is here to support them. The key is knowing where each tool excels so you make the best choice.

Society is still at the beginning of its journey with AI and there will be many more AI tools for us to consider in the future. Keep your options open and don’t rule out investing in the right tool, if the price is right.

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