ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence program developed by OpenAI, was my first encounter with such applications, and I continue to use it today. My discovery of Perplexity.ai followed, and I started incorporating it into my routine. The final application I want to discuss that left a strong impression on me, Questy.ai, came to my attention via This Week in Tech's 957th podcast episode. Denise Howell, a guest on the show, introduced it. Questy can generate more comprehensive results than ChatGPT or Perplexity.ai, although it does not match up to Perplexity in certain respects. We'll delve into these details later in this post. ChatGPT can also generate APIs, which can be used by other programs or programs to tap into GPT4.
How Did I Compare the AIs/Models?
I asked each app/model a simple question: “Explain climate change to a 12-year-old.” Below, you will see which AI app and model was used to answer the question and the references it listed (if any). What is shown is exactly what came out of the app/model.
Chat GPT Using ChatGPT 4 (261 words)
Prompt: “Explain climate change to a 12-year-old”.
Climate change is like when you adjust the thermostat in your home to change the temperature, but it's happening to our whole planet. The Earth has its own natural "thermostat" that's been balanced for a long time, but human activities are messing with it.
Imagine if someone in your house kept turning the heat up, even in summer. That's kind of what we're doing to our planet. We burn things like coal, oil, and gas for energy, and this releases gases, especially one called carbon dioxide (CO2), into the air. These gases are like a blanket around the Earth. A little blanket is good; it keeps our planet warm enough for us to live. But too much blanket makes the Earth get too hot. This is what we call global warming.
Because the Earth is getting hotter, it's causing changes in weather patterns, called climate change. This means some places might get really hot, others might get more storms, and some places might become drier. This can make it harder for animals, plants, and even people to live in these places.
Also, the extra heat is causing ice at the North and South Poles to melt, which makes sea levels rise. This can lead to flooding in areas where people live.
It's important for everyone to help fix this problem. We can use less energy, recycle more, and plant trees. Even small actions can help a lot if everyone does them. By taking care of our planet, we make sure it stays a good home for us and all living things.
No references were provided.
Questy.ai (445 words)
Prompt: “Explain climate change to a 12-year-old”.
Please note sources (in the references) before relying on this information. After all, it came from the internet.
Climate change is like our planet getting a fever because of too many blankets [2]. Just like when you pile on too many blankets at night and start to get too hot, Earth is getting warmer because of gases in the sky that trap heat [9]. This is a problem because it can make weather act weird, like more storms and less rain in places that need it [2][8]. A group of experts called the United Nations says we have to act fast, in about 12 years, to stop our planet from getting sicker [1].
Here's what’s happening in a little more detail:
- Our planet has a comfy blanket called the atmosphere that keeps it warm enough to live on. Sometimes, this blanket gets thicker because of gases like carbon dioxide and methane [9]. These gases come from cars, factories, and other stuff we do, like burning oil and coal for energy [6].
- When the blanket gets thicker, the Earth starts to overheat, which is also called global warming [2]. We’ve seen this happen more since the Industrial Revolution, which started over 200 years ago [8]. Since then, Earth has gotten about 1°C warmer on average, which might not sound like much, but it actually can cause many changes in how Earth's systems work [8].
- A warmer Earth means ice at the poles, like in Antarctica, can melt and make sea levels rise, so places near the sea can get flooded [6]. Animals that live in cold places might find it too warm, and plants, which need certain conditions to grow, can be in trouble too [8].
- Scientists and kids all over the world are noticing these changes and are trying to fix things [4][5]. They’re planting trees, telling their leaders to make laws to reduce these gases, and finding new ways to make energy that doesn’t create more of the gases [4][7].
- They say that if we can be really good at this, we can keep Earth's fever from getting too high – like not letting it go over 1.5°C. This would help so things wouldn’t change too quickly and give people and animals time to adapt [3].
- To do this big job, everyone needs to help. This means using less energy when we can, like walking instead of driving and turning off lights when we're not using them [8]. It also means making big changes, like using energy from the sun and wind instead of fossil fuels [7].
Remember, even though this is a big problem, lots of people, including scientists, are working hard to fix it. They all believe we can do it if we start now and work together [4][5].
Thanks for letting me serve you!
References
[1] Meet the 12-year-old activist taking politicians to task over climate ...https://grist.org/article/meet-the-12-year-old-activist-taking-politicians-to-task-over-climate-change/
[2] A Guide to Climate Change for Kids | NASA Climate Kids https://climatekids.nasa.gov/kids-guide-to-climate-change/
[3] We have 12 years to limit climate change catastrophe, warns UN ...https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/08/global-warming-must-not-exceed-15c-warns-landmark-un-report
[4] 12 climate activists inspiring us to fight climate change | International ...https://www.rescue.org/uk/article/12-climate-activists-inspiring-us-fight-climate-change
[5] Evidence | Facts – Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/
[6] Talking to your child about climate change | UNICEF Parenting https://www.unicef.org/parenting/talking-your-child-about-climate-change
[7] What Does '12 Years to Act on Climate Change' (Now 11 Years ...https://insideclimatenews.org/news/27082019/12-years-climate-change-explained-ipcc-science-solutions/
[8] What is climate change: facts for kids | National Geographic Kids https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/geography/general-geography/what-is-climate-change/
[9] Overview of Greenhouse Gases | US EPA https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/overview-greenhouse-gases
Perplexity (using GPT-4) 332 words
Prompt: “Explain climate change to a 12-year-old”.
Climate change is a long-term shift in global temperatures and weather patterns. It's like if you've noticed that summers are getting hotter or winters are becoming milder over the years, that's a part of climate change[1][2].
Now, Earth's climate has always changed naturally over millions of years. But what's happening now is different because it's happening much faster and it's mostly caused by things people do[1][2][6].
You know how when you're in a car on a sunny day and it gets really hot inside? That's because the car's windows let in the sun's light, but don't let all the heat out. This is similar to what's happening to our Earth. Certain gases in our atmosphere, like carbon dioxide, act like those car windows. They let in sunlight, but trap a lot of the heat that should be going back out to space. This is called the greenhouse effect[3][4].
We're increasing these greenhouse gases mainly by burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas for electricity, heat, and transportation. When we burn these fuels, they release carbon dioxide into the air. Cutting down forests also contributes to climate change because trees absorb carbon dioxide, and when they're cut down, they can't do that job anymore[3][4].
The result is that our planet is heating up, which is sometimes called global warming. This warming is causing other changes too, like more severe storms, more droughts, melting ice at the poles, and rising sea levels. It's also making the oceans more acidic, which can harm sea life[2][4].
Scientists are studying climate change using tools on the ground, in the air, and in space. For example, satellites orbiting Earth measure carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and monitor melting ice[2].
The good news is that we can all help fight climate change. We can use less energy, like turning off lights when we leave a room, and we can use cleaner energy, like solar and wind power. We can also plant trees and try to waste less[4][6].
Citations:
[1] https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/climate-change
[2] https://climatekids.nasa.gov/kids-guide-to-climate-change/
[3] https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/geography/general-geography/what-is-climate-change/
[4] https://www.c2es.org/content/climate-basics-for-kids/
[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJoAcD0oUww
[6] https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/climate-change
[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkvPdUtYhX8
[8] https://archive.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/index.html
Perplexity (using Claude 2.1) 281 words
Prompt: “Explain climate change to a 12-year-old”.
Climate change means that the usual weather patterns are changing over a long period of time. For example, some places are getting hotter, some are getting more rain and snow, or some are seeing more storms. This is different from regular weather, which changes day-to-day or week-to-week.
What causes climate change?
There are a few reasons why the climate is changing:
- Burning fossil fuels like oil, gas, and coal releases gases called greenhouse gases that trap heat from the sun, causing the planet to warm up over time. This is the main cause.
- Cutting down forests means there are fewer trees to absorb carbon dioxide, another greenhouse gas.
- Farm animals like cows also release methane gas, which is another greenhouse gas that causes warming.
Why is climate change bad?
Climate change is causing problems around the world:
- It's melting glaciers and sea ice, which can threaten animals like polar bears
- It's causing more droughts, heat waves, storms, and flooding in many places
- It's hurting crops that people depend on for food
- It causes the oceans to become more acidic, which harms ocean life
What can we do about climate change?
Here are some things we can do to slow down climate change:
- Drive and fly less to burn less fossil fuels
- Use renewable energy like solar and wind instead of fossil fuels
- Plant more trees to absorb carbon dioxide
- Eat less meat since farm animals release greenhouse gases
- Turn off lights and appliances when not using them to conserve energy
The most important thing is learning about climate change and talking to friends and leaders about solutions. Small personal actions add up to make a big difference!
Citations:
[1] https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/climate-change
[2] https://climatekids.nasa.gov/kids-guide-to-climate-change/
[3] https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/geography/general-geography/what-is-climate-change/
[4] https://www.c2es.org/content/climate-basics-for-kids/
[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJoAcD0oUww
[6] https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/climate-change
[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkvPdUtYhX8
[8] https://archive.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/index.html
Perplexity (using Gemini Pro) 91 words
Prompt: “Explain climate change to a 12-year-old”.
Climate change is when the Earth's temperature rises over a long period of time, causing changes in weather patterns and sea levels[1]. It's like when you turn up the heat in your house and it gets warmer inside[3]. Human activities, like burning fossil fuels for energy, release gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, causing the Earth to warm up[4]. This can lead to more extreme weather events like heat waves, droughts, floods, and wildfires[2]. It can also cause sea levels to rise, which can flood coastal areas and harm wildlife[3].
Citations:
[1] https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/climate-change
[2] https://climatekids.nasa.gov/kids-guide-to-climate-change/
[3] https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/geography/general-geography/what-is-climate-change/
[4] https://www.c2es.org/content/climate-basics-for-kids/
[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkvPdUtYhX8
Perplexity (using Experimental) 303 words
Prompt: “Explain climate change to a 12-year-old”.
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. It's like if you were used to having sunny weather in Hansville during the summer, but then, over several years, it started to rain a lot more. That's a simple way to think about climate change. But instead of just your town, it's happening to the whole planet[1][2][5].
The Earth's climate has always changed over time, but the current changes are happening faster and are mainly caused by human activities. This is different from the past[1][2][7].
One of the main causes of climate change is the burning of fossil fuels, like oil and gas, which releases gases into the atmosphere. These gases act like an invisible 'blanket', trapping heat from the sun and warming the Earth. This is known as the "Greenhouse Effect"[3][4].
Another cause is deforestation, or cutting down trees. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, one of the gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect. When we cut down trees, less carbon dioxide gets absorbed, and more stays in the atmosphere, which warms up the planet[4].
Climate change can lead to many problems. For example, it can cause sea levels to rise, which could flood coastal towns. It can also cause more extreme weather events, like stronger hurricanes and more intense heatwaves. It can even affect animals, like polar bears, who depend on sea ice that's melting because of the warmer temperatures[5][7].
Scientists study climate change using tools on the ground, in the air, and in space. For example, NASA satellites orbit the Earth all the time, measuring things like carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and melting ice[2].
We can all help slow down climate change by doing things like using less energy, recycling, and planting trees. Even small actions can make a big difference when everyone does their part[4][7].
Citations:
[1] https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/climate-change
[2] https://climatekids.nasa.gov/kids-guide-to-climate-change/
[3] https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/geography/general-geography/what-is-climate-change/
[4] https://www.c2es.org/content/climate-basics-for-kids/
[5] https://climatekids.nasa.gov/climate-change-meaning/
[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJoAcD0oUww
[7] https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/climate-change
[8] https://archive.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/index.html
Perplexity (using Default) 313 words
Prompt: “Explain climate change to a 12-year-old”.
Climate change is a long-term alteration in the typical weather patterns of a region or the entire planet. It's like if you were used to having sunny weather most of the time in Hansville, but then it started raining a lot more often and for many years. That's a simple way to think about climate change[2][5].
Now, you might ask, why is this happening? Well, the main reason is human activities. When we drive cars, produce electricity, or cut down forests, we release certain gases into the atmosphere. These gases, known as greenhouse gases, act like a blanket around the Earth, trapping heat from the sun and causing the planet to warm up. This is called the "Greenhouse Effect"[1][4].
One of the most important greenhouse gases is carbon dioxide, which is released when we burn fossil fuels like oil and gas. Even things like farming contribute to climate change. For example, cows release methane, another greenhouse gas, when they digest their food[3].
Climate change can lead to many problems. It can cause sea levels to rise, which could flood coastal towns. It can make weather patterns more unpredictable, leading to stronger storms. It can also harm wildlife, like polar bears, who depend on certain conditions in their environment to survive[5][7].
Scientists study climate change using various tools, including satellites that measure the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and monitor melting ice. They also study how plants, soils, and the ocean absorb carbon dioxide. Unfortunately, these natural systems can't keep up with all the extra greenhouse gases we're releasing, which is why the planet is warming up[2][4].
But here's the good news: we can all do something to help. We can use less energy, recycle more, and plant trees. We can also talk to others about climate change and why it's important to take action. Remember, every little bit helps[7].
Citations:
[1] https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/climate-change
[2] https://climatekids.nasa.gov/kids-guide-to-climate-change/
[3] https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/geography/general-geography/what-is-climate-change/
[4] https://www.c2es.org/content/climate-basics-for-kids/
[5] https://climatekids.nasa.gov/climate-change-meaning/
[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJoAcD0oUww
[7] https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/climate-change
[8] https://archive.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/index.html

Compare and Contrast the AI Models
Prompt: "Compare and contrast the AI models of GPT4, Claude 2.1, Gemini Pro, and GPT3.5."
In the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence, several AI models stand out for their capabilities and applications, namely GPT-4, Claude 2.1, Gemini Pro, and GPT-3.5. Each model has distinct features, strengths, and weaknesses, with specific use cases where they excel or falter. Below is a comparison and contrast outlining the pros and cons of each AI model.
- GPT-4 (ChatGPT Plus)
Pros: - GPT-4 exhibits compelling language and reasoning abilities, including generating text and code, answering questions, making inferences, and storytelling [1]. - It can process text and image inputs within a multimodal model framework, enhancing versatility [1]. - GPT-4's broad language support enables its use in over 200 languages, which improves accessibility on a global scale [3]. - It scores highly on standardized tests, including 93rd percentile on GRE reading comprehension and 89th on GRE analytical writing [3]. - It emphasizes safety, minimizing the generation of toxic content [3]. Cons: - Compared to Claude 2, it is significantly more expensive [3]. - GPT-4 does not verify the accuracy of its statements, which can lead to nonsensical or incorrect answers [1]. - The token limit per prompt is smaller than Claude 2's, at about 8,192 tokens, which can restrict context handling for certain tasks [4].
Best At: Versatile tasks like long-form content creation, complex code generation, and multimodal interaction. [1].
- Claude 2.1
Pros: - Claude 2.1 provides strong reasoning and coding abilities and is less expensive than GPT-4 [1]. - It has a large context window, managing up to 100,000 tokens, which is beneficial for handling extensive documents [1]. - Claude 2.1 is geared towards safety and ethics, making it less prone to generating dangerous content [1]. - It surpasses GPT-4 and other models in specialized domains such as law, mathematics, and Python coding tests [1][5]. - Claude 2.1 has been noted for fast response processing and offers a good balance between cost and performance [5].
Cons: - It features a more limited language set, capable of generating output in only 10 languages [3]. - Claude 2.1 lacks some of the newer features available in GPT-4, such as voice chat and image understanding [2]. - It cannot access the internet [6].
Best At: Specialized domains like legal and mathematical analysis and tasks requiring understanding large contexts [1][5].
Worst At: Multilingual support and multitasking with different types of inputs [3].
- Gemini Pro Since Gemini Pro is not directly mentioned in the provided research, I will not be able to provide a succinct comparison to the other models. Further investigation is needed to adequately address its pros and cons and what it is best and worst at.
- GPT-3.5 Pros: - GPT-3.5, while less advanced than GPT-4, still boasts strong conversational abilities and is adept at generating HTML and CSS code [4]. - It performs well in summarizing long-form content, which is useful for distilling complex information [4]. - GPT-3.5 is the basis for the widely accessible and free version of ChatGPT, making it more readily available for users [6].
Cons: - It has a reduced token handling capacity compared to GPT-4 and Claude 2.1 [4][6]. - GPT-3.5 is less accurate in its outputs than its successor, GPT-4, and does not feature improvements in safety measures [3]. - It can generate toxic content more frequently than GPT-4 [3].
Best At: Generating conversational text and simple code like HTML and CSS; good for general users due to no cost. [3][4].
In conclusion, each AI model has tailored advantages depending on the task. GPT-4 is a versatile and robust model, with strong language and multimodal capabilities, ideal for complex tasks. Claude 2.1 offers affordability, high performance in specialized domains, and better context handling. GPT-3.5 provides a free option with decent conversational abilities but lacks its successors’ advanced features and scale. Further investigation is required to provide a complete picture of Gemini Pro. It's essential to match your needs to the model that best addresses them while considering cost, accuracy, and task complexity trade-offs.
Thanks for letting me serve you!
References
[1] Comparing Claude 2 and GPT-4. As a software developer and AI ...https://medium.com/@Soke.AI/comparing-claude-2-and-gpt-4-a-technical-deep-dive-121ffc5bd255
[2] What is Claude AI, and how does it compare to ChatGPT? https://www.pluralsight.com/resources/blog/data/what-is-claude-ai
[3] GPT-4 vs Claude 2: Which is Better For You? https://www.akkio.com/post/gpt-4-vs-claude-2
[4] AI Battle: ChatGPT vs. Bard vs. Claude 2 - Which One is Better? https://www.aibloggs.com/post/ai-battle-chatgpt-vs-bard-vs-claude-2
[5] Claude 2 vs GPT-4 in 2023: Comparing the Top AI Models https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/claude-2-vs-gpt-4-2023-comparing-top-ai-models-kim-garst.”
[6] Claude 2 Is Out—How Does Anthropic's AI Chatbot Compare to ...https://decrypt.co/148147/anthropic-claude-2-ai-chatbot-comparison-openai-chatgpt-google-bard
What Is the Pricing for the Apps?
Prompt: “List the various pricing plans for each of the following services: ChatGPT, Perplexity, Questy.ai.”
Based on the search results, here is a summary of the pricing plans for ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Questy.ai:
ChatGPT
- Free plan: Full access to ChatGPT chatbot, but may experience limited availability during peak times.
- ChatGPT Plus (paid): $20/month. Provides priority access even during peak times, faster response times, early access to new features
Perplexity - Free plan: Limited features
- Perplexity Pro (paid): $20/month or $200/year. Includes unlimited Copilot usage, access to upgraded AI models like GPT-4, unlimited file uploads, API access
Questy.ai
- Free plan: 30 free reports
- Paid plans:
- Personal: $15/month
- Pro: $50/month
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
ChatGPT and Perplexity offer free plans with limited functionality and paid plans with additional features. Questy.ai offers a free trial for 30 reports and paid plans scaling from personal use to enterprise. Bard is enterprise-focused with custom pricing.
Sources
[1] Introducing ChatGPT Plus https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt-plus
[2] Pricing - pplx-api - Perplexity https://docs.perplexity.ai/docs/pricing
[3] Quest.ai https://www.shno.co/no-code-tools/quest-ai
[4] Google Bard https://www.saasworthy.com/product/bard-platform/pricing
[5] How (and why) to subscribe to ChatGPT Plus https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-subscribe-to-chatgpt-plus-and-why/
[6] Perplexity Pro https://www.perplexity.ai/pro
[7] Pricing Page | Figma to React https://www.quest.ai/pricing
[8] Bard AI Pricing: Best Bard AI Prices Plan For You| What does it cost https://probardai.com/bard-ai-pricing/
[9] ChatGPT Price - How much is GPT 4? https://www.pcguide.com/apps/chat-gpt-price/
[10] Perplexity AI: Review, Advantages & Guide (2023) https://www.elegantthemes.com/blog/business/perplexity-ai
[11] Quest https://www.saasworthy.com/product/quest-ai/pricing
[12] ChatGPT is currently priced at 20 dollars a month. Do you think this will increase or decrease in the future? https://www.reddit.com/r/OpenAI/comments/178tlpd/chatgpt_is_currently_priced_at_20_dollars_a_month/?rdt=41411
[13] Perplexity AI: Pricing, Reviews, and Alternatives https://tome.app/productivity-tips/the-tome-guide-to-perplexity-ai
[14] Quest : Pricing, Features, Pros, Cons & Alternatives - NoCodeList https://nocodelist.co/software/recUCRlzOkpicjnbh
[15] Are you willing to pay $$20 monthly for the Chat GPT pro plan? https://www.reddit.com/r/OpenAI/comments/10eob1h/are_you_willing_to_pay_1020_monthly_for_the_chat/?rdt=53416
[16] Perplexity - Features, Pricing, Pros & Cons (January 2024) https://siteefy.com/ai-tools/perplexity/
[17] Questy.ai https://questy.ai
[18] How much is ChatGPT Plus and what does the ChatGPT subscription get you? https://www.pocket-lint.com/chatgpt-plus-price-features-how-to-subscribe/
[19] Perplexity AI: Pricing, Features and Use Cases https://www.mlyearning.org/perplexity-ai/
[20] Pricing https://www.questgen.ai/pricing
[21] What is ChatGPT Plus? | OpenAI Help Center https://help.openai.com/en/articles/6950777-what-is-chatgpt-plus
[22] Perplexity AI - AI Tool Reviews, Pricing and Alternatives 2023 https://www.popularaitools.ai/tools/perplexity-ai
[23] Questy Pricing, Alternatives & More 2024 | Capterra https://www.capterra.com/p/191088/Questy/
[24] ChatGPT Plus: Price, features & how to get it - Dexerto https://www.dexerto.com/tech/chatgpt-pro-price-features-how-to-get-it-2040332/
[25] Pricing - Build AI-native Workflow Automations | Questflow https://www.questflow.ai/price
Buy Perplexity at https://www.perplexity.ai/search/23447a1b-9817-4892-a80c-0406895582ee
Who Is the Winner?
Right now, it is between Perplexity and Questy, with Perplexity winning due to all its features and models supported. I still pay for ChatGPT because I use their APIs in other programs and want to create GPTs in the future.
Becoming a Pro member, I have paid for a full year of Perplexity. A big advantage of Perplexity is that you can change its model. As you saw in the outputs above, various models were run through Perplexity. The models available are:
- Default - optimized for fast search by Perplexity
- Experimental - concise and less restrictive model by Perplexity
- GPT-4 - latest model by OpenAI
- Claude-2.1 - latest model by Anthropic
- Gemini Pro - beta model by Google
Perplexity allows you to upload images, text, or PDFs to be used when answering your query. It also has “Copilot,” which goes further than providing quick basic answers. It asks for details, considers your preferences, dives deeper, and then delivers pinpoint results. See https://blog.perplexity.ai/getting-started for more information. Another nice feature of Perplexity is that you can create collections (like folders) to store your queries, grouping searches related to a topic together and making them easier to locate later.
Have you used any of these programs? What are your thoughts, and why do you like one over another? Looking forward to hearing from you in the comments.