How to use AI tools the smart way: ChatGPT 5, Claude, and Perplexity compared

A simple guide to picking the right tool for everyday work 

 

Artificial intelligence isn’t just a buzzword anymore; it’s becoming a key part of how businesses function every day. You could be writing emails and reports, researching new ideas, or improving customer service. AI tools can save you more time and boost productivity. 

 

In fact, 60% of business owners believe AI will increase productivity. Specifically, 64% stated that AI would improve business productivity, and 42% believe it will streamline job processes. [1]

 

The real challenge is knowing which tool to use and how to use it wisely. Continue reading to discover which of the most popular AI tools fits your business best and how to use it to work smarter, not harder.

 

ChatGPT 5

Ideal for everyday business tasks such as writing, brainstorming, and summarizing information. ChatGPT 5 can help create reports, social media posts, and emails in minutes. 97% of business owners believe that ChatGPT will benefit their businesses, making it one of the most trusted AI tools on the market. [2]

 

Claude

Known for being logical and thoughtful. Claude is great for planning, coding, analyzing, or breaking down complex information in a way that’s easy to understand. Claude now serves nearly 19 million monthly users worldwide and ranks among the most capable reasoning-based AI tools, scoring up to 88% in math and 71% in coding benchmarks. [3]

 

Perplexity

Acts more like a research assistant. It provides quick, reliable answers with links to sources, allowing you to double-check information and stay up to date. Perplexity now handles over 780 million monthly queries, which has tripled in less than a year, and achieves a 95% answer accuracy rate, outperforming traditional search engines by 15%. [4]

 

When to use each

• ChatGPT 5: Best for drafting content, rewriting emails, or creating social posts.
• Claude: Perfect for planning, decision-making, or solving detailed problems.
• Perplexity: Ideal for quick research and fact-checking.
• Combined approach: Start in Perplexity for research, use ChatGPT 5 to write, and ask Claude to refine or organize your final plan.

 

Related resource:
How AI can help small businesses thrive

 

Business examples

For business owners and managers

• Use Perplexity to find the latest business trends or HR best practices.
• Ask ChatGPT 5 to turn those insights into a company policy or announcement.
• Let Claude review the message for clarity and consistency. 

 

For marketing teams

• Use Perplexity to research competitors or current marketing trends.
• Have ChatGPT 5 write an email or social media caption.
• Use Claude to refine the tone and ensure it matches your brand voice.

 

For IT or operations staff

• Use Perplexity to find technical guides or troubleshooting steps.
• Ask ChatGPT 5 to simplify the process for non-technical employees.
• Let Claude check for accuracy or missing details.

 

Learn more:
Podcast: Navigating AI for law firms and solo practitioners

 

Other popular AI tools to explore

While ChatGPT 5, Claude, and Perplexity are three of the most talked-about AI platforms, they’re not the only ones making an impact. Here are a few other AI tools that businesses are using to save time, boost creativity, and improve communication.

 

Gemini (Google)

If your team already uses Gmail, Docs, or Sheets, Gemini can be a big time-saver. It helps write and summarize emails, organize data, and draft documents right inside the Google tools you already use. It’s an easy way to bring AI into your daily routine without adding extra steps.

Copilot (Microsoft)

For companies that rely on Microsoft 365, Copilot acts like an extra set of hands. It can summarize meetings in Teams, analyze spreadsheets in Excel, and help write presentations or emails in Word and Outlook. It’s built for busy professionals who want to work faster without sacrificing quality.

Midjourney

Midjourney is your creative partner. Simply type what you imagine, and it turns your words into high-quality images—great for marketing and visual brainstorming. It’s a quick way to explore new design ideas or bring a creative concept to life, even if you’re not a designer.

Grammarly

Grammarly goes beyond fixing typos. It gives real-time feedback on tone, clarity, and readability so your writing sounds polished and professional. From client emails to proposals, it helps you communicate clearly and confidently every time.

 

These tools are a great reminder that AI isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether you want to save time, boost creativity, or simplify the way your team works, there’s probably a tool out there that can help.

 

Smart and safe AI habits 

• Don’t share confidential information: Never paste customer data, passwords, or private business details into public AI tools.

• Double-check the facts: If you’re using AI for research, verify information by reviewing sources.

• Give clear instructions: Be specific about what you want—tone, audience, and length all matter.

• Use AI as a helper, not a replacement: It’s great for generating ideas or saving time, but final decisions should always come from you or your team.

• Provide training: If employees will use AI tools, ensure they understand your company’s privacy and accuracy guidelines.

 

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To learn more about how we can help you improve your cybersecurity and protect your business, please visit our IT Security Packages page.

 

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1: Forbes Advisor Survey | How Businesses Are Using Artificial Intelligence
2: Forbes | 22 Top AI Statistics And Trends
3: Thunderbit | 90+ Key Claude Statistics You Should Know
4: Index | 50+ Perplexity AI Stats to Know in 2025