AI Apps: Text Generation

With the introduction of ChatGPT in November of 2022, AI chatbots have become part of the conversation in the world of education and technology. Generative AI such as chatbots run on a large language model (LLM) which helps the program craft human-like responses and respond to diverse queries effectively. For example, the LLM powering ChatGPT is a generative pre-trained transformer (GPT), which is rapidly evolving in the breadth of its capabilities with each new version that has launched. However, it’s important to recognize that these language models have their limitations, including potential biases, inaccuracies, and reliance on predetermined data sets.

To gain a quick overview of ChatGPT, and three of its competitors: Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, and Claude, refer to the table below. For a more in-depth analysis of each tool, continue scrolling down this page. During your exploration, learn more about how to write productive prompts to get the most of these tools.

ChatGPT

ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence (AI) tool able to produce written work that sounds convincingly human-produced. The AI technology powering ChatGPT is a generative pre-trained transformer (GPT), which is rapidly evolving in the breadth of its capabilities with each new version that has launched since late 2022. Active versions of ChatGPT include: GPT-4o, GPT-4o mini, GPT-o1, GPT-o1 mini, and GPT-4o with Canvas being the most recent. Refer to OpenAI’s Models Overview for a comparison of each.

OpenAI offers free and subscription options for ChatGPT users. The free version utilizes GPT-4o or 4o-mini, depending on the prompt asked, token limits, and current demand. The subscription platform, ChatGPT Plus, utilizes OpenAI’s newest language models, GPT-4o,4o-mini, o1, o1-mini, and 4o with Canvas, providing users choice between models. Some strengths of GPT-4o models, introduced in May 2024, are: quicker information processing and multimodal integration, making them well suited for real-time language translation and speech recognition (Henry, 2024). GPT4o with Canvas is specialized for editing code outputs.

GPT o1 offers enhanced reasoning, but slower output time while the artificial intelligence works through its reasoning process (usually upwards of 20 seconds to generate a response). In addition, GPT o1 does not connect to the web and therefore can only generate output relative to the timestamp of its dataset (October 2023).

All ChatGPT users have the ability to utilize a library of third-party tools such as Expedia, Wolfram, Zapier, and Canva within a chat. Plus subscribers can create their own customized GPTs to enhance the user experience and optimize accuracy of ChatGPT for specific tasks. Additionally, Plus subscribers can share their custom GPTs freely with others to engage with.

Microsoft Copilot

Microsoft Copilot is both a stand-alone text generator in addition to an Office 365 workspace integration and utilizes the ChatGPT 4 large language model.

Like Google Gemini and ChatGPT Plus, Copilot is able to integrate search results from its engine to supplement the timestamped shortcomings of its dataset. Additionally, it offers the functionality to upload files, generate images, chat with voice, and users can toggle between output tone styles.

You can access the browser-based version of Microsoft Copilot with your Montclair credentials which provides enterprise data protection.The mobile Copilot application does not require users to log in, however an account is needed to access the “Talk” feature, which the browser-based version does not include. To use the standalone Copilot mobile app, you must log in with a personal Microsoft 365 account. Your Montclair netID credentials will not permit access to the mobile app, only the web-based version. Your input will not have enterprise data protection when using the mobile app with personal credentials.

Claude

Claude made headlines in March of 2024 when introducing the latest version of its large language model, Claude 3, which outperformed GPT-4 and Gemini on a number of benchmark tests (Anthropic, 2024). Since then, Anthropic, Claude’s developer, has introduced Claude 3.5 Sonnet, Claude 3 Haiku, and Claude 3 Opus. Claudeprioritizes safety, and has created a Constitutional AI model to help fine-tune its training. While Claude does not have access to a search engine and functions with a timestamp of August 2023, users do have the ability to upload files to add context to their prompts. Additionally, Claude is fairly accurate when generating citations and is transparent about the sources it utilizes in its output without needing to be explicitly prompted to do so. Claude has a freemium model; free users can access Claude 3.5 Sonnet (although it is prone to being unavailable due to high-demand) and Claude 3 Haiku. Claude Pro, the premium subscription, offers unlimited access to all Claude models, including their most advanced model, Claude 3 Opus.

Google Gemini

Google Gemini is Google’s large language model and AI text generator. Similar to Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini is both a stand-alone text generator as well as an integrated Google Workspace tool. Google Gemini is able to leverage its search engine to reference current information in its output and can generate images based on a prompt. Gemini offers the ability to make quick edits to output that include modifying the tone and length of responses generated along with the ability to toggle between multiple drafts of output. Overall, it is more conversational in nature than ChatGPT.

Gemini is currently unavailable for activation on Montclair Google accounts. You can access it by authenticating with your personal Google account in Gemini for your browser, or through the Google mobile app. Free users of Gemini have access to Gemini 1.5 Flash while paid users of Gemini Advanced have access to the Gemini 1.5 Pro model.