AI Assistant Showdown: What You and Your Students Should Know

With so many AI assistants flooding the market, it’s tough to keep track of what each one actually does well—and what sets them apart. This Fast Company article (March 10, 2025) offers a plain-English guide to popular AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, and lesser-known contenders like DeepSeek, Grok, and Duck.ai. Rather than diving deep into technical specs, it focuses on practical usage, integrations, unique features, and how accessible each one is for everyday users.

OpenAI’s ChatGPT stands out for its robust free tier, conversational voice mode, and integration options through customizable GPTs. Claude is praised for emotionally intelligent, human-like responses and its ability to mimic writing styles. Google’s Gemini shines when embedded in Google’s suite of tools, while Microsoft Copilot offers deep integration with Office products. The article also explores edgier or niche options like Grok (with Elon Musk’s signature irreverence), privacy-first Duck.ai, and the surprisingly powerful DeepSeek. Ultimately, the takeaway for instructors is this: generative AI is evolving fast, and staying updated with each tool’s capabilities is essential for preparing students to engage critically and creatively with this tech.

ChatGPT generated a first draft of this article and its accompanying image.