I keep seeing ads that offer courses on the many AI tools available. To get people interested, they claim that those people who are over 40 years of age probably only use ChatGPT, the most opulat AI tool, and don’t consider other AI versions. What these advertisers are really trying to say is, “Don’t be an old-fogey, take our training course and be hip like younger adults.” From a marketing stand point, it's a great psychological hook.

But these ads got me thinking about how much I use AI and about some of the other AI tools out there that I don’t know much about.

So, being 62 (which is over 40…), I asked ChatGPT the following: “What are the key differences between the different AI tools available today, and how should each one be used?”

ChatGPT came back with the advice below.

Table of Contents

The World of AI Tools

The world of AI tools is growing fast, and it's easy to get overwhelmed by what's available and how to use each. Here’s a simple breakdown for small business owners of key AI product types, their differences, and how and when to use each one.

AI Chatbots (Conversational AI)

Examples: ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Claude

What They Do:

These tools are designed to hold human-like conversations, answer questions, summarize information, write content, and solve problems in natural language.

Best Uses:

  • Drafting emails, blogs, and marketing content
  • Brainstorming ideas
  • Summarizing long documents
  • Answering customer service questions
  • Writing code or formulas

Tips:

  • Use Conversational AI tools for speed and creativity, but be sure to double-check their output for factual mistakes. They can occasionally "hallucinate" information.
  • These bots are great for getting idea starters, but not always for the final answers.

AI Writing & Editing Tools

Examples: GrammarlyGO, Jasper, Copy.ai, Writesonic

What They Do:

These tools specialize in generating and refining written content for specific uses, such as ads, product descriptions, or social media posts.

Best Uses:

  • Writing blog posts, ad copy, landing page content
  • Editing and rewording content
  • Creating social media captions
  • Improving grammar, tone, and readability

Tips:

  • Use these tools for quick marketing copy or rewrites.
  • These AI products are not as flexible or deep as chatbots, but often times can be faster for specific formats.

AI Image Generators

Examples: DALL·E (OpenAI), Midjourney, Adobe Firefly, Canva AI

What They Do:

These tools create images from text prompts or can edit images.

Best Uses:

  • Creating custom graphics for websites or ads
  • Mockups for products, social posts, or presentations
  • Replacing or editing elements in images
  • Generating branded visual content

Tips:

  • Great for fast, on-brand creative images. Remember to keep prompts clear and descriptive.
  • These image generators are ideal for small businesses needing quick, custom visuals without a designer.

AI Video & Voice Tools

Examples: Sora (OpenAI), Synthesia, Runway, Descript

What They Do:

These tools generate or edit video and voice content using AI, often from text or simple inputs.

Best Uses:

  • Creating explainer videos
  • Voiceovers or narrated content
  • Turning blog posts into videos
  • Editing podcasts or video interviews

Tips:

  • These video AI tools save hours of editing time.
  • They are great for content repurposing (turn one blog into multiple formats).

AI Data & Analysis Tools

Examples: Tableau AI, Power BI with Copilot, ChatGPT (Code Interpreter), Notion AI

What They Do:

These help analyze, visualize, or summarize data using natural language or simple queries.

Best Uses:

  • Turning raw data into charts and summaries
  • Getting insights without deep Excel or coding skills
  • Exploring trends or building reports

Tips:

  • When using these tools, ask simple questions like “What’s the biggest sales drop month-over-month?”
  • These tools shine when paired with spreadsheet or CRM data.

AI Automation & Agents

Examples: Zapier AI, Replit Ghostwriter, AutoGPT (early), Microsoft Copilot in Office

What They Do:

They automate repetitive tasks, like writing follow-up emails, organizing data, or connecting apps without human input.

Best Uses:

  • Automating workflows (e.g., new leads get auto-email replies)
  • Scheduling, calendar management, and task follow-up
  • Setting up chains of actions across apps (like CRM + email + Slack)

Tips:

  • AI Automation tools are ideal for freeing up time on administrative work.
  • They are also great for small businesses or solo pros juggling too many tools.

How to Choose the Right AI Tool

Tool Type
 Best For
 Use If You Need To...
Chatbots (ChatGPT, Gemini)
 Writing, answering, summarizing
 Get help thinking, creating, or problem-solving
Writing Tools
 Polished marketing content
 Write faster or refine existing text
Image Generators
 Custom visuals
 Create branded graphics without a designer
Image Generators
 Custom visuals
 Create branded graphics without a designer
Video/Voice Tools
 Content repurposing, training vids
 Make engaging audio/video from text
Data Tools
 Dashboards, insights
 Make sense of numbers quickly
Automation/Agents
 Repetitive tasks
 Automate what you do every day

Related Resources

Should I Use AI to Reply to Reviews?

Google Search Volatility: What’s Happening in the Rankings?

SearchGPT: A New Way to Search the Internet

Google Wants Useful Content

Need More Help?

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