In my consulting work, one of the most common questions I encounter is about the AI tools I regularly use and recommend for my clients. As the field of AI continues to evolve at a rapid pace, it's crucial to stay updated on the latest tools and advancements. Pricing models are also shifting dynamically, as discussed in my recent blog post, the Best Things in AI are free (or are they?).
I have kicked off a blog series where I'll be sharing my top AI tools tailored specifically for the higher education sector. These tools span various categories, including writing and research, personal branding and career development, productivity, and creativity.
But I'm not just here to share my insights—I'm eager to hear from you, too! What AI tools are you currently embracing in your personal and professional endeavors? Your input could spark valuable discussions and insights for our community.
Without further ado, let's dive into the second installment of this series: the best AI tools for Writing and Research.
They include: AskAI, ChatGPT, Claude, Consensus, Google Gemini , GrammarlyGo, OmniGPT, Perplexity, Poe, and Quillbot.
My most frequent writing tools are Chat GPT and Google Gemini. When comparing these two Gen AI tools, I find it challenging to pick a favorite. About half the time, the output is very similar and the most obvious differences are simply in the formatting. ChatGPT tends to give output in paragraph form and Gemini uses short bursts and frequently uses bullets. I appreciate that Gemini tells me what they "fixed". I find their writing styles can be very different, with Gemini often feeling fresher. I regularly create an identical prompt and use both tools, then pull the best content from both tools to work on. It takes a few extra minutes but my product is far superior with this small investment of time and effort.
As an exercise I asked both tools to improve the paragraph above, here is their recommendations:
Gemini:
Choosing between ChatGPT and Google Gemini isn't an easy feat – their strengths often overlap. Both can provide similar outputs, with the main difference lying in their formatting styles. ChatGPT leans towards paragraph writing, while Gemini favors concise bursts and bullet points. This stylistic difference manifests in their tones, with Gemini often feeling "fresher" and more modern.
To maximize the potential of my work, I leverage both tools. By providing the same prompt to each and meticulously selecting the best elements from their individual outputs, I can consistently elevate the quality of my final product. While it requires a few extra minutes, this investment in time delivers significant results.
ChatGPT: When evaluating ChatGPT against Google Gemini, selecting a preferred tool poses a considerable challenge. Approximately in half of the instances, their outputs bear striking resemblances, with the primary distinctions lying in formatting choices. ChatGPT generally delivers responses in a cohesive paragraph format, whereas Gemini opts for concise segments, often employing bullet points. The writing styles of the two platforms can diverge significantly, with Gemini's approach sometimes seeming more innovative or "fresher." To leverage the strengths of both, I routinely craft identical prompts for each tool, subsequently amalgamating the finest elements from their responses. This strategy, albeit adding a few extra minutes to my workflow, significantly enhances the quality of my output, making the additional effort a worthwhile investment.
Interesting exercise right? Have you had similar experiences?
Please note: I want to emphasize that I do not have any financial partnerships or affiliations with the companies or tools mentioned in this series, ensuring that my recommendations remain unbiased and focused solely on their value and effectiveness.
My next post in this series will focus on AI tools for Personal Branding & Career Development.
If you want to keep exploring AI in Higher Education, consider joining our "AI in Higher Education" LinkedIn group.

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*Do not reproduce without the written permission of Dr. Claire Brady.
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