🛠️ The Main Tools

ChatGPT: The Most Famous AI

ChatGPT is the most widely known AI assistant. It's conversational, knowledgeable, and can help with almost any writing or research task. The free version is powerful; the paid version (£20/month) adds image creation and faster responses.

• Access at chat.openai.com — no app download needed.
• Free tier: full conversation capability with slight slower speeds.
• Plus tier (£20/month): faster, smarter, can create images with DALL-E.

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Claude: The Careful AI

Claude (made by Anthropic) is known for being thoughtful and careful with its responses. It's particularly good at reading long documents — you can paste in an entire book chapter and ask questions about it.

• Access at claude.ai — clean, simple interface.
• Claude can process very long documents — up to the equivalent of 150,000 words.
• Known for acknowledging when it doesn't know something, rather than guessing.

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Gemini: The Google AI

Gemini is Google's AI assistant. If you use Gmail, Google Docs, or Google Photos, Gemini is increasingly built in. It can search the web and connect to your Google account (if you choose).

• Access at gemini.google.com or through any Google app.
• Gemini can search the internet for up-to-date information.
• Google Workspace users: Gemini can draft emails and summarise documents in Gmail.

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Microsoft Copilot

Microsoft Copilot is built into Windows 11, Edge browser, and Microsoft 365. If you use Word, Outlook, or Teams, Copilot is already available to help you write, summarise, and organise.

• Free Copilot: available in Edge browser at copilot.microsoft.com.
• Copilot in Word: highlights text, click 'Draft with Copilot' to expand or rewrite.
• Copilot in Outlook: summarises long email threads into key points.

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AI on Your Phone

Siri (Apple), Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa are AI voice assistants you likely already have. They've become significantly more capable. Speaking is often easier than typing — use your voice for AI on your phone.

• iPhone users: Siri is upgrading with Apple Intelligence features.
• Android users: Google Assistant is merging with Gemini capabilities.
• Voice tip: long-press the home button or say 'Hey Siri' / 'OK Google'.

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AI for Specific Tasks

Beyond general assistants, there are specialised AI tools: Otter.ai records and transcribes meetings, Adobe Firefly creates images, Grammarly improves writing, and Google Photos has AI-powered search.

• Otter.ai: transcribes conversations in real time — useful for phone calls.
• Google Photos AI: search 'grandchildren at the beach' to find relevant photos.
• Grammarly: browser extension that silently improves every email you write.

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Which Tool Should I Use?

For most everyday tasks, any of the main three (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) will work well. Start with whichever you hear about most from people you trust, then explore others. There's no wrong choice.

• If you use Google services: start with Gemini.
• If you want the most powerful free tool: try ChatGPT or Claude.
• If you use Microsoft Office: try Copilot — it's already in your software.

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Keeping Your Tools Updated

AI tools improve constantly. The ChatGPT or Claude you use in 2026 is significantly better than the one from 2023. Enable automatic updates on your apps and re-explore tools you tried before.

• Major AI improvements happen every 3–6 months.
• AI companies often add new features silently — check the 'What's new' section.
• A tool that seemed limited 6 months ago may now be excellent.