Setting Up Your AI Workspace – Tools and Access

AI Over 40 Series – Week 2

Why having multiple AI platforms is like having specialized consultants on retainer (and how I learned this the hard way)

As a Microsoft Business Central Partner, my instinct is to start with Microsoft solutions. It’s not just loyalty—my clients trust me to help them maximize their Microsoft investments. So, when I began exploring AI, I went all-in on Microsoft Copilot.

Why wouldn’t I? Copilot is powered by ChatGPT, integrates with Office apps, enhances Teams, and promised to be my one-stop AI shop.

I was wrong. Again.

The Experiment That Changed Everything

Remember last week when my son told me I was making a mistake by sticking with only Copilot? I tested his theory. I gave the same business problem to four platforms:

• Claude
• ChatGPT
• Gemini
• Microsoft Copilot

The results? Four wildly different approaches.

Then I took it further. I asked each model to improve its own output, then had all four score each other’s responses. Every single one ranked the results the same way:

1. Claude – Clear winner
2. ChatGPT – Close second
3. Gemini – Solid third
4. Copilot – Distant fourth

Even when I repeated the process, the ranking held.

The Lightbulb Moment: Specialization Matters

This led me to a key realization: each platform is optimized for different strengths. Expecting one AI to do it all is like asking your tax accountant to run your marketing campaigns.

Here’s what I’ve learned about each platform’s “specialty”:

Claude – The Deep-Thinking Strategist

• Excels at: Complex analysis, research, and coding
• Best for: Nuanced, detailed responses
• Security: Excellent default privacy

ChatGPT – The Creative All-Rounder

• Excels at: Brainstorming, creative solutions, multimodal tasks
• Best for: Versatility and image generation
• Security: Enterprise-level protection in Teams version

Gemini – The Research Analyst

• Excels at: Current, source-backed information
• Best for: When accuracy and fresh data matter
• Security: Enterprise protections via Google Workspace

Microsoft Copilot – The Office Integration Specialist

• Excels at: Office and Teams integration
• Best for: Microsoft-centric workflows
• Trade-off: Integration over general performance

The Hidden Cost of Specialization

Copilot’s lower ranking wasn’t a flaw—it’s designed to prioritize Microsoft integration and enterprise security, like a Swiss Army knife that’s perfect for Microsoft-specific tasks but not built for everything.

The Security Reality Check

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: free AI tiers learn from your data. If you’re dealing with sensitive business information, you need to know what you’re trading for “free.” Enterprise versions of these tools offer the right protections—you just need to know when it’s worth upgrading.

My New AI Workflow

I now treat AI tools like a team of consultants:

1. Start with the right tool for the job.
2. Cross-pollinate outputs between platforms.
3. Let them “compete” by scoring each other.
4. Synthesize the best results.

The outcome? Far better than relying on one platform.

Your Week 2 Challenge: Build Your AI Advisory Board

1. Set up accounts: Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot (free tiers are available).
2. Run your own AI Olympics: Use the same prompt on each platform, compare, and see which shines.
3. Create your AI workspace: Bookmark platforms, track tasks, and note each tool’s strengths.
4. Experiment with cross-pollination: Ask one platform to refine another’s output.
5. Review security needs: Identify what data you’ll process and when enterprise plans are required.

The Bottom Line

We don’t run our businesses with a single advisor, so why limit ourselves to one AI? The combined power of multiple platforms is exponential.

Next week, I’ll dive into prompting basics—but this week taught me the real magic lies in understanding how each AI interprets your prompts.

Next Week: The Art of Prompting – Basic Communication with AI

Read the full post here on LinkedIn.

Read more AI and Copilot blogs.

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