14 Understanding and Choosing an AI Operating System: ChatGPT or Gemini

In this episode, host Brett Hanson provides a thorough comparison of the two leading AI platforms for the everyday user: OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini. Framed as a guide to developing your own AI "taste," the discussion breaks down how each platform performs on common tasks like creative writing, research, and image generation, helping listeners decide which tool best fits their needs. It also introduces the "AI is like water" metaphor to help users identify their level of engagement—from a "Beachcomber" doing simple tasks to a "Snorkeler" connecting various tools. Finally, the conversation shifts to the critical, often hidden social and ethical costs of AI, covering the significant environmental impact, the crucial differences between "opt-in" and "opt-out" user privacy models, and the "ghost work" that underpins AI development. Listeners will leave with specific recommendations and a clearer understanding of how to choose their own AI "operating system" responsibly.