AI Isn’t Just One Thing: Here’s What I Use (and Why)

When people talk about “AI,” they often mean it like it’s a single tool. It’s not. AI is more like a toolbox with a bunch of different gadgets inside. Some are slick and powerful, some are still clunky, and some are amazing for one thing but useless for another.

I’ve tried a bunch of them over the last year—partly out of curiosity, partly because they actually save me time. Here’s a breakdown of the main AI tools I use (or have tried), and what I think each one is actually good at.

1. ChatGPT: My Daily Go-To for Writing and Brainstorms

Let’s start with the obvious. I use ChatGPT (yeah, this one) like a creative co-pilot. When I’m drafting blog posts, emails, or even naming projects, I bounce ideas here first. It’s great for:

• First drafts when I’m staring at a blank page

• Brainstorming names or angles for a piece

• Explaining concepts clearly and fast

But—there’s a limit. If I need something with deep expertise in, say, legal writing or cutting-edge academic stuff, I still double-check everything. It’s not a specialist. It’s a really helpful generalist.

2. Midjourney / DALL·E: When I Need a Visual Spark

For visuals, I lean on Midjourney and DALL·E. Midjourney is kind of artsy and abstract, DALL·E is a bit more literal. I use them when:

• I need a quick concept image for a pitch

• I want to play around with branding ideas

• I just want to see something weird and creative

They’re not great for anything that needs to look exactly like a real person or match a specific brand style. Still, they’ve saved me from hiring a designer just to mock up an idea.

3. Claude by Anthropic: Like ChatGPT, But Calmer

I tried Claude out of curiosity, and I’ve kept it around for more sensitive or structured writing. It’s kind of like the “gentle” version of ChatGPT. I use it when:

• I’m writing emotionally sensitive content

• I want a more structured outline

• I’m trying not to overdo the tone

Is it wildly different from ChatGPT? Not really. But it feels different, and sometimes that vibe shift helps.

4. Notion AI: Good Enough for Notes, Not Deep Work

Notion’s built-in AI is handy if you already live in Notion (which I sort of do). It’s not as powerful as ChatGPT, but for summarizing long meeting notes or rewriting clunky sentences, it’s fine.

• Great for summarizing

• Decent for rewriting in a different tone

• Meh for creating something from scratch

If I’m being honest, I mostly use it because it’s there. Convenience wins.

5. Google Gemini (formerly Bard): Still a Work in Progress

I’ve dipped into Google’s Gemini (what used to be Bard), and while it has some cool features—especially when it’s integrated with my Google stuff—I haven’t found it reliable enough to trust for writing. It sometimes gives weird answers, or just gets things wrong.

It might get better. Right now, it’s good for:

• Looking stuff up quickly

• Integrating with Gmail or Docs

• Testing out alternate phrasing

But it’s not the one I’d bet on if I need something polished or thoughtful.

6. Perplexity: My AI-Powered Research Buddy

If I need to research something fast, especially if it’s niche or fresh, Perplexity is solid. It actually shows sources (thank god) and doesn’t just give vague summaries. I use it when:

• I’m researching a topic I know little about

• I want quick links with context

• I need citations

It’s not built for writing—but it’s great for feeding into writing.

So… Which AI Should You Use?

Here’s the thing: it depends on what you’re doing. Don’t expect one AI to do everything well. Use them like tools in a belt. ChatGPT writes with you, Perplexity reads for you, Midjourney shows you, and Notion AI organizes you.

If you’re trying to figure out where to start: go with ChatGPT for writing, Midjourney or DALL·E for images, and Perplexity for research. Don’t worry about the others until you hit a wall.

And don’t let anyone make you feel like you’re “behind” if you haven’t used all of these. AI isn’t a race. It’s just another way to make your life a little easier, when it works.