Popular AI Apps: ChatGPT and Beyond

AI tools and resources can simplify and streamline your daily life and work tasks by means of popular apps like ChatGPT. Let's explore how to get the most out of these applications for learning, work, play, and managing everyday life.

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ChatGPT: How to Leverage the Leading AI Platform at Work and Home

ChatGPT has vast capabilities to simplify an array of tasks. AI is all about helping us work smarter, not harder. 

ChatGPT is programmed to understand and generate human-like text, making it a ideal for a variety of text-based tasks. Imagine a virtual assistant supercharged with vast knowledge, a helpful spirit, and a way with words! That's ChatGPT.

What Can ChatGPT Help You Do? 

First, let’s dive into some of the practical applications for ChatGPT. 

• Homework helper: From math to world history, AI can help you solve problems or brainstorm essay topics. You can also use the Gen AI to summarize topics, making study simple.

• Language learning: ChatGPT can help you hone your grammar and vocab skills in any language or translate foreign text for you.

• Cooking companion: Ask ChatGPT recipes or cooking tips

• Travel advisor: ChatGPT can offer personalized suggestions for trips, hotel stays, and itineraries. It can even brief you on local customs.

• Fitness friend: Get workout and exercise suggestions tailored to your fitness level and interests.

• Entertainment guide: Find movie, TV, and book suggestions based on what you like.

• Tech troubleshooter: Let ChatGPT help you troubleshoot issues with your computer or mobile devices.

• Daily planner: Organize your day with an AI-generated to-do list and reminders of important tasks.

• Business assistant: ChatGPT can help you write business emails, plan your day, and prioritize projects.

• Creative muse: Whether you're plotting a novel or writing poetry, ChatGPT can help with ideas, suggestions, and creative sparks.

Whether you're a student, professional, or just curious about AI, ChatGPT can simplify tasks, offer insights, and make your day a little easier. 

As we like to say here at TopAITools.com, mastering AI tools like ChatGPT can help you work (and play) smarter, not harder!

How to Get the Most Out of ChatGPT

The effectiveness of ChatGPT, or any AI language model, depends on the qualify of the prompts you share. You’ll notice this trend as we go through this course and show you the best ways to leverage AI. It's all about the prompts! That's exactly why "prompt engineering" is becoming a coveted and highly-sought after career path.

But you don't need to be a professional to leverage AI to the fullest. Here are some tips:

• Be specific: Detailed prompts yield detailed responses. Avoid general questions. The more specific your question, the better the response.

• Set the context: Provide context to guide ChatGPT. Letting ChatGPT know what you are doing, and why, can deliver better results. For instance, if you were seeking financial guidance, you might use a hyper-specific prompt such as: "I have $100 to invest and I'm willing to to take a risk with it. Please pretend you are Warren Buffett and tell me what you would do with that money."

• State your intent: If you have a specific goal, mention it, like, "I'm applying for a job in the marketing field. Please show me some sample resumes that I can tailor to my experience."

• Use sequential queries: Don't be afraid to ask simple questions at first and then ask more detailed follow-up questions. You can dive deep into a specific topic by starting a conversational dialogue with ChatGPT.

DIVE DEEPER: 5 Ways to Perfect Your ChatGPT Wishes

Gemini: Embrace This Google-Based ChatGPT Alternative

Gemini is powered by Google. It launched in 2023 as Bard, the big-tech company’s response to the growing field of AI-driven language models. It has similar capabilities to OpenAI's ChatGPT.

Along with the recent name change, Gemini now comes as a high-powered version called Gemini Advanced. It used Ultra 1.0, which Google says is the “largest and most capable state-of-the-art AI model.” 

Gemini taps into Google's huge pool of search to share up-to-date knowledge.

It's like having a super-brainy friend who uses Google's top-notch algorithms and all the data they've got to chat with you and whip up content!

Gemini's capabilities help the platform assist you with a wide range of tasks, from answering questions to generating text. Its integration with the Google Drive family of apps makes it convenient to use, as well. Gemini can help you by editing Google Docs or analyzing data in Google Sheets.

The Advanced version is better equipped to help you with tasks like: 

• Coding

• Logical reasoning

• Collaborative projects

• Brainstorming

What Can Gemini Help You Do?

Gemini performs many similar functions to ChatGPT, but with Google’s vast database of knowledge at its virtual fingertips, it may provide more up-to-date information in certain cases. 

Here are some everyday tasks where Bard can help you out at home and work:

• Search smarter: Get efficient access to Google's extensive search resources for up-to-date and data-driven answers.

• Language translation: Experience proficient translation in multiple languages using Google's advanced tools.

• Study buddy: Access Google's vast information database to simplify and clarify challenging homework questions.

• Travel guide: Utilize Google Maps and Flights for comprehensive travel planning, from Parisian dinners to Kenyan safaris.

• Daily news: Receive customized current news stories via Google News.

• Advanced image searches: Conduct detailed image searches, including artworks and architecture, through Google's image resources.

• Research ace: Navigate the web using Google to gather fresh and relevant information for research.

• Shopping pal: Find the best offers and ideal gifts with Google Shopping.

• Business whiz: Analyze business insights and data using Google's analytics capabilities.

Gemini’s Latest Updates 

As of January 2024, Google leveled up its AI game to include advanced capabilities you should know about. The service is available in 40 languages and across more than 230 countries and territories. That means wherever you are, you can leverage the power of Gemini. 

Plus, Gemini now offers an app for Android and (coming soon - maybe even by the time you read this!) iOS mobile devices. On Android devices, you can take photos and then ask Gemini for help, connect Gemini to Google Assistant to set timers, caption photos you took, ask questions, and make calls. All by using that famous phrase, “Hey, Google!”

These updates make Gemini a true contender in the AI space. But you should be aware that they come with a cost. 

Gemini Advanced is only available as part of the Google One AI Premium plan for $20/month. You’ll get a two-month free trial to give it a test run. AI Premium subscribers will soon be able to use Gemini in Gmail, Docs, Slides, and Sheets, too. You will have AI capabilities everywhere you turn online, from crafting the perfect email to designing spreadsheets. We’re excited to see where this new technology takes us! 

How to Get the Most Out of Gemini

As with ChatGPT, the better the prompts you provide, the better Gemini’s responses will be. However, because it leverages Google’s knowledge, there are some specific tips and tricks you should know to get the most out of Gemini. 

• Use keywords wisely: Including relevant keywords helps Bard to pull more accurate and focused information from Google's vast resources.

• Leverage Google's strengths: Remember that Gemini is backed by Google's search and data capabilities. So, for queries that involve recent data, trending topics, or specific research, mention that in your prompt. 

• Request summaries for long content: If you're dealing with a lengthy article or report, ask Bard to summarize the key points. 

But be careful. Gemini, just like other GenAI, may share complete sentences or even paragraphs from sources on the internet without letting you know it was copied word-for-word. Always paraphrase Gemini’s findings or find the original source and give credit where credit is due. 

DIVE DEEPER: Mastering Gemini: Your Guide to Commanding AI

Claude AI: Understand Your Conversational AI Friend from Anthropic

Like ChatGPT, Claude AI can be used for a variety of applications, including answering questions, providing information, assisting in creative tasks, and more. Think of Claude as a chat buddy with some serious AI skills. It's a lot like ChatGPT, but Claude's got its own flair and smarts. 

But first, some AI industry trivia…

Anthropic, the brains behind Claude, was started by some folks who used to work at OpenAI — the crew that invented ChatGPT. Their goal is to build AI that's not just smart, but also reliable and easy to get along with. 

Hmm… that sounds a lot like what bosses look for in human workers, doesn’t it? Don’t worry. Claude’s not out for your job, either. 

He wants to be your go-to pal for questions — one that really gets you and keeps things safe and on track. 

What Can Claude Help You Do? 

Claude is a lot like ChatGPT. As such, its skill set is similar. You can use Claude for tasks like these: 

• Research

• Content creation

• Translation

• Entertainment

• Coding help

• Brainstorming creative ideas

• Enhancing productivity with task management help

How to Get the Most Out of Claude

To fully leverage Claude, the secret lies in solid prompt engineering. 

• Be specific: Clearly state your need for precise answers.

• Set context: Provide background information to help Claude understand your needs better.

• Use clear language: Avoid jargon or complex sentences to ensure accurate responses.

• Stay curious: Experiment with different queries to explore Claude's capabilities.

• Review output: Verify the accuracy of responses, especially for important tasks.

Understanding the 3 Levels of Claude

Just as ChatGPT has a free and paid version, Claude introduced different tiers of service in its latest iteration, Claude 3. Keep in mind, none of the tiers include Internet access, so you’re still best relying on Claude to analyze data you feed it. 

Claude is free to use, within limits. If you upgrade to Claude Pro with a starting price of $20 per month, you can unlock three versions for enterprise users.

Note: If you’re using Claude for home use or to help with occasional work tasks, you probably don’t need to upgrade. Anthropic advertises Haiku, the light, fast — and lowest cost — Pro version as being powerful enough for enterprise level users. If Haiku doesn’t provide enough processing power, you can try Sonnet or the highest level of Claude, Opus. (Read more about each of them here.) The biggest difference appears to be the speeds. 

Unlike ChatGPT, Claude Pro can read and analyze charts, graphs, and other visual representations of data, which can be handy for certain tasks. 

Clause also lets you build or scale your own generative AI solution through an API. But for most household users or workers who aren’t working in AI development, the free version of Claude should suit you just fine. 

DIVE DEEPER: Unlocking Claude's Full Potential: 10 Tips to Better Navigate Your AI Assistant

Bing and Bing Image Creator: Empower Your Search with AI Precision

Bing is your ultimate partner in productivity and creativity, leveraging cutting-edge AI technology to simplify various tasks and enhance your daily life. Think of it as your virtual assistant, armed with an extensive knowledge base and a flair for conversation. 

Bing has capabilities that ChatGPT, Claude, and Bard do not have: It can work with images, making your Internet research easier and adding a whole new level of convenience. 

What Can Bing Help You Do?

To get the most out of AI, it’s best to understand where each of the apps excel. Bing works best for retrieving information off the Web, providing quick and accurate answers. 

In fact, ChatGPT uses Bing if you ask it to search the Internet.

You might want to rely on Bing for the following types of tasks: 

• Homework help

• Recipes and cooking tips

• Travel planning

• Personalized workout routines

• Basic tech support and troubleshooting

• To-do lists and reminders

Bing also provides AI-powered image search capabilities, finding photos based on keywords, phrases, or questions. It can sort these images based on a variety of parameters.

Bing has image recognition capabilities, too. Enter an image in the prompt box and Bing can provide all sorts of data. It can identify the image and provide facts, details, and even links for more information about it. 

Click on any image Bing Image provides and you’ll find out the source website, dimensions, and additional context.  

How to Get the Most Out of Bing

You don't need to be an AI professional to maximize Bing's potential. Ask clear, straightforward questions, and Bing should deliver the goods in seconds. 

For more complex topics, ask simple questions in a sequence. And if you have a specific goal you want to accomplish, such as writing a poem or creating a setting for a science fiction novel, let Bing know. 

For instance, a good prompt to ask Bing to help you plan a vacation could look like this: 

"Recommendations for a 5-day trip to Paris in June, including must-visit attractions, local dining experiences, and tips for navigating public transportation."

Likewise, when you’re using the Image Creator tool, be as specific as you can be about your needs to find the perfect picture for your project. 

DIVE DEEPER: Discover Bing Image Creator Now 

Perplexity: Learn How to Navigate Complex Queries with AI Clarity

Along the lines of Bing, Perplexity is an AI-powered search engine. But it’s not your average search engine…

Advanced natural language skills and machine learning capabilities make Perplexity your conversational companion to research complex topics. If you're puzzling over a science mystery or diving into history, Perplexity AI's got your back.

What Perplexity AI Can Help You Do

You want to turn to Perplexity as your research whiz when you’re faced with tough tasks that more generalized AI chatbots may not be programmed for. Here are some ways to use Perplexity to its maximum capabilities.

• Simplify answers to complex questions 

• Analyze scientific papers or literary fiction

• Summarize texts 

How to Get the Most Out of Perplexity AI

Using Perplexity isn’t that different than using ChatGPT or any other Generative AI system. If you’re starting to figure out that once you master one AI system, you’re on your way to understanding them all – you’re doing great.

After all, we’re only on Day 2 of the AI Crash Course! 

Take a pause to cheer yourself on and then study these tips on using Perplexity:

• Craft clear, specific prompts for more accurate responses

• Add context with background details so Perplexity knows not just WHAT, but WHY, you’re asking

• Experiment with various prompts and tasks to find Perplexity’s strengths

• Just as you would if you were working with a human assistant or colleague, offer feedback to help Perplexity improve

DIVE DEEPER:Explore Perplexity AI On Your Own 

DALL-E: Leverage Artistic AI for Visionary Creations

Have you seen the fascinating, eye-catching artwork we use at TopAITools for some of our blog posts and articles? 

These are generated by the creative minds of our marketing team with the help of DALL-E. Pretty exciting, right? 

Dall-E was developed by the minds at OpenAI, the same people who gave you ChatGPT. But unlike ChatGPT, Bard, and others, DALL-E generates images from textual descriptions. 

It's a fusion of creativity and artificial intelligence. We don’t think it will be the future of artwork, as exclusively human art can – and should – always have a place in the world. But it’s undoubtedly giving rise to a new genre of visual arts.

What Can DALL-E Do?

You can use DALL-E, like we do, to create engaging images for blog posts, articles, email newsletters and social media content. You can also create designs for marketing campaigns. 

Many people use DALL-E to commission unique, personalized artwork for their home or dorm room. 

Here are a few more ways to use DALL-E: 

• Visual storytelling: Bring narratives to life in books and stories with precise, custom illustrations.

• Imaginative art creation:Create anything from fantasy creatures to surreal scenes 

• Design assistance: Design marketing materials, presentations, and artistic ventures.

• Brainstorming aid: Transform abstract ideas into vivid visuals, jumpstarting your creative process.

• Idea to image: Create charts, graphs, and infographics to communicate intricate concepts through clear visuals

How to Get the Most Out of DALL-E

To harness the full potential of DALL-E, put these 4 tips for effective prompt engineering to good use:

1. Be as detailed as possible: Provide clear and specific textual prompts that vividly describe your creative vision. 

2. Provide contextual clues: Offer background information or context about the theme, style, or mood you want to convey in your visuals.

3. Experiment: Don't hesitate to experiment with different prompts to explore DALL-E's diverse creative range.  Since it takes just seconds to create the perfect image for your project, you can get creative about your ideas until you find the visual that clicks! 

4. Provide feedback: Refine and improve results over time by offering critiques and feedback. 

DIVE DEEPER: Let's see your creativity soar (thanks to DALL-E)

Wrapping It All Up

In our adventure with AI, we've learned that these tools aren't just cool tech — they're our partners in making everyday life more exciting and efficient.

Here's a little tip: Have a blast with it! Play around with different prompts and strategies. It's all part of the fun.

Just remember, always give the facts a quick check. AI can make mistakes, just like us. But the cool part? The more you use it, the smarter it gets. It's all about learning and growing together.

You’ll learn exactly how AI works in our next lesson of Understanding AI: The AI Crash Course You’ve Been Waiting For. In the meantime, drop us a note and let us know how you are enjoying this deep dive into the world of AI so far.