Goal - After reading this article -
What are AI tools?
You've probably heard people say things like "I asked AI and it solved it instantly." Maybe you're curious but haven't tried it yourself yet. You're not alone.
In simple terms, an AI tool is a service where you ask questions in plain text, and it answers in plain text.
Here's how it differs from a Google search:
- Google Search: You type keywords, and it shows you a list of web pages.
- AI tools: You ask a question in everyday language, and it gives you the answer directly.
For example, if you ask "Plan my meals for next week," it'll suggest a menu from Monday to Sunday. Ask "Make this email sound more polite," and it'll rewrite it for you.
Search is for finding. AI is for asking. That's the key difference.
The three most popular AI tools
There are many AI tools out there, but these three are the most widely used.
ChatGPT
Built by OpenAI, ChatGPT is the most well-known AI tool. You've probably heard the name before. Personally, I find it can be a bit slow to respond at times.
ChatGPT
OpenAI — Try ChatGPT
Claude
Built by Anthropic, Claude is great at reading and writing long-form text, and its responses tend to feel the most aligned with what you're actually trying to say. Out of the three, it feels the most in tune with what I'm asking for.
Claude
Anthropic — Try Claude
Gemini
Built by Google, Gemini's strength is its integration with Google services like Gmail and Google Docs. That said, it sometimes goes off track from what you asked — it can be a bit unpredictable.
Gemini
Google — Try Gemini
gemini.google.com
"So which one should I pick?" Honestly, all three are excellent, and any of them will work fine for everyday use.
firstprompt uses Claude
All three are great, but the articles on this site use Claude.
The reason is simple: it's what I use every day. That way, what you see on your screen will match the steps in the articles, so you won't get lost.
If you're already using ChatGPT or Gemini, no worries. The concepts and tips are the same, so everything you learn here will apply to other tools too.
Create your Claude account
Let's set up a Claude account. It's free, so no need to worry.
Sign up from your browser
- Go to claude.ai
Claude
Anthropic — Sign up for Claude
- Click "Continue with Google" or enter your email and click "Continue with email"
- If you used email, click the verification link in the email you receive
Once you're logged in, you'll see a screen like this. Type a message and you're already chatting with Claude.
That's it. Pretty easy, right?
Install the Desktop app too
You can use Claude in your browser, but I recommend installing the Desktop app.
- It won't get buried in your browser tabs
- You can quickly switch to it while working
- It's handy when we use the Cursor editor alongside Claude in later articles
Download it from the link below. Once installed, log in with the account you just created.
Claude Desktop App
Download the desktop app for Mac / Windows
claude.ai
Summary
Here's what we covered:
- AI tools are services that answer your questions in plain text.
- ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini are the big three — all excellent.
- The articles on this site all use Claude.
- You created an account and installed the Desktop app.
In the next article, we'll actually talk to Claude. We'll explore how different questions lead to different answers.
※ AI is a powerful tool, but it can sometimes behave in unexpected ways. We are not responsible for any damages caused by AI-generated content or actions. Always back up important data and review AI outputs yourself before using them.