Overview: The Most Important AI Tools
The AI tool landscape today
The world of AI tools has developed rapidly in recent years. What was still considered an experiment in 2023 is now an integral part of the everyday work of millions of people. But this very variety can seem overwhelming: hundreds of tools, constant new versions, different pricing models. In this lesson, you'll get a clear overview so that you know which tool is the right one for which job.
The most important categories
Text and chat AI
This is the largest and most widely used category. These tools understand natural language, answer questions, write texts, and help you think.
- ChatGPT (OpenAI): The pioneer. Strong at creative writing, brainstorming, and general tasks. Free version available, paid plans (Plus, Pro) with higher limits and extended features.
- Claude (Anthropic): Particularly good with long documents, analysis, and nuanced answers. Known for careful, balanced answers.
- Gemini (Google): Deeply integrated into Google products. Strong at research and access to current information. Available directly in Gmail, Docs, and Search.
- Perplexity: Specialized in research with source citations. Combines AI answers with current web sources.
Image and design AI
These tools create images from text descriptions or edit existing images with the help of AI.
- Midjourney: Leading for artistic, aesthetic images. Runs via Discord or its own web app. Paid.
- ChatGPT and Gemini: Create and edit images directly in the chat (Google calls its image model Nano Banana). Very good with text in images and conceptual illustrations.
- Stable Diffusion and FLUX: Open image models that can also run locally on your own computer. Maximum control and customizability.
- Adobe Firefly: Integrated into Photoshop and Creative Cloud. Ideal for professional designers who want to build AI into their existing workflow.
- Canva AI: Simple image generation and editing directly in Canva. Perfect for quick social media graphics.
Video and audio AI
From video generation to speech synthesis. This field is developing the fastest.
- Runway: Leading in AI video generation and editing. Text-to-video, image-to-video, and powerful editing tools.
- Veo (Google): Creates realistic videos from text or images, including sound. Available in Gemini and in the video tool Flow.
- ElevenLabs: Market leader in AI speech synthesis. Natural-sounding voices in dozens of languages, voice cloning also possible.
- Descript: Combines video and audio editing with AI. You edit videos like a text document.
- Suno: AI music generation: create complete songs from text descriptions.
Code and data AI
For developers and data analysts, there are specialized tools that can also be useful for non-technical people.
- GitHub Copilot: AI programming assistant directly in the code editor. Writes code, explains existing code, finds bugs.
- Claude Code (Anthropic): Agent-based coding tool for complex programming tasks.
- ChatGPT (data analysis): Upload CSV or Excel files and have them analyzed automatically, with charts and insights.
- Julius AI: Specialized in data analysis for non-technical people. Simple interface for complex evaluations.
Automation & workflows
AI tools that connect different services and automate repetitive tasks.
- Zapier / Make: Connect different apps and automate workflows with the help of AI.
- Microsoft Copilot: AI assistant in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. For companies as Microsoft 365 Copilot; for private users included in Microsoft 365 Personal and Family (with usage limits).
- Gemini in Google Workspace: Similar to Microsoft Copilot, but for Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail). Included in the business plans since 2025.
- Notion AI: AI directly in your project management and note-taking tool.
Free vs. paid: what is worth it?
The good news: you can get started with AI tools right away without spending a single franc. Most of the big providers have free versions.
What you get with free versions:
- ChatGPT Free: current model with a usage limit, image generation (limited), web search, file upload
- Claude Free: Claude with a message limit, file upload, web search
- Gemini Free: Gemini with usage limits, Google integration; more performance with Google AI Pro
- Perplexity Free: a limited number of Pro searches per day
When an upgrade is worth it: when you work with AI every day, regularly hit usage limits, or need extended features such as longer context windows, image generation, or priority access.
Choosing the right tool
Instead of using one tool for everything, it pays to choose the right tool for each task. Here is a simple decision aid:
- What is the task? Writing text, creating an image, research, analyzing data, writing code?
- How complex is it? Simple tasks work with any tool; for complex ones, a specialized tool is worth it.
- What quality do you need? A free tool is enough for an internal draft; for a client presentation, a Pro subscription may be worth it.
- How often do you need it? Daily use justifies a subscription; a one-off need does not.
- AI tools can be divided into clear categories: text, image, video/audio, code/data, and automation.
- You don't have to know all the tools; choose one or two per category and learn them properly.
- Start for free and test several tools side by side before you sign up for a subscription.
- Choose the tool to suit the task; no single tool is the best for everything.
- The AI landscape is changing quickly: stay curious and try out new tools regularly.
This lesson is part of a course with final exam and certificate. View the course "Mastering AI Tools"