Which AI to Use (and When)

Which AI to Use (and When)

If you’re getting serious about using AI in your daily work, the first big question is: which system should I choose?

While having choices is great, many users have shared with me that they feel left out not knowing if they're using the best tool for the job at hand.

For most people, you can’t go wrong with one of the big players:

• ChatGPT from OpenAI

• Claude from Anthropic

• Gemini from Google

• CoPilot from Microsoft

Each gives you access to powerful models, voice mode, code execution, image and file handling, deep research tools, and good mobile apps. Some of these features are free, but to unlock everything you need to really work efficiently with AI, you’ll usually need to pay around $20/month (pricing varies by tool and number of users).

If you’re using AI for content, strategy, workflows, or client-facing work, I recommend starting with the guide below:

Model Comparison: Claude vs. ChatGPT vs. Gemini

Here’s a quick side-by-side look at the core models each system offers:

Each platform gives you:

• A fast model for chat and brainstorming

• A powerful model for serious, high-quality work

• And, in some cases, a slow but very capable model for complex reasoning

Tip: Most platforms default to the fast model. For important tasks, manually switch to the powerful model using the dropdown selector provided.

My Go-To Models

Personally, I rotate between:

• Claude 4 Opus – great for structured thinking and analysis

• o3 (ChatGPT) – strong for writing, synthesis, and versatility

• Gemini 2.5 Pro – solid for research and integrated tool use

If you’re using the free version and don’t see these options, that’s why. These are only available in paid or pro versions.

Privacy & Data Use

One key difference between platforms is how they handle your data:

• Claude does not train on your conversations, even in free versions.

• ChatGPT and Gemini might, unless you disable training or use enterprise tiers.

Top: You can turn off training in ChatGPT via Settings → Data Controls → “Chat history & training.”

For Gemini, some functionality may be limited if you opt out of personalization features. This option may also be limited by your organization's admin settings.

Also: ChatGPT’s “memory” feature lets the model remember facts about you across chats. Some love it. I personally find it too inconsistent to use for now. It’s optional.

Final Advice: Start Simple, Stay Curious

Choosing a model is just the beginning. The real challenge is knowing how to use these systems effectively, especially as they evolve every few weeks or months.

If you’re overwhelmed, that’s normal. That is exactly what I help teams and small business owners work through in my "AI Fundamentals" workshop.

We break down:

• What exactly is AI and how it works

• How to prompt more effectively

• How to work faster and smarter without panic

📩 Ready to get your team up to speed with AI?

Book a session or free consultation here.

Or check out more guides at elevateaiconsulting.com/blog