New to AI?

AI Basics

Chatbots aren’t the only AI tool that might be useful to explore, but are an ideal starting point for those interested in learning more. 

You can begin incorporating AI chatbots into your daily work life to:

  • Proofread, paraphrase and summarize large amounts of information from within documents

  • Compose a first draft of emails, letters, memos or other written materials

  • Outline presentations

  • Gain perspective on any topic from a variety of “personas” or perspectives

  • Translate or draft text in other languages


Cautions 

  • Check with your IT, legal or executive departments before using any chatbot on a pool or employer computer.

  • Never share pool or employer data or information on a public site, including as a data upload, file upload or in the details of any query.

  • This information is provided for your independent consideration. We’re not endorsing or suggesting any chatbot use.


Know the chatbots currently available. Chatbots will produce results aligned to the query or question used as a prompt. This means the way you ask a chatbot a question is key to the quality of response it will provide. Below are eight of the more commonly used options as of mid-2026 — this isn't an exhaustive list, and new tools continue to enter the space regularly. 


  • ChatGPT (OpenAI): Known for its versatility, ChatGPT excels in generating human-like text and can assist with a wide range of tasks, from answering questions to drafting emails and creating content. It’s widely used for both personal and professional purposes.

  • Claude (Anthropic): Claude focuses on ethical AI interactions and is designed to be helpful and honest. It's frequently used for long-form writing, editing and coding support, and is a popular choice among professionals who need thoughtful, well-reasoned written output.

  • Gemini (Google): Gemini is known for its advanced natural language processing capabilities. It excels in understanding and generating human-like responses, making it ideal for complex conversational tasks and interactions.

  • Copilot (Microsoft): Integrated into Microsoft 365, Copilot assists users by enhancing productivity tools like Word, Excel and Outlook. It helps with drafting documents, analyzing data and managing emails, making it an excellent assistant for professionals.

  • Llama (Meta): Built with Meta's Llama 4 models, this chatbot is designed to be a highly intelligent assistant available across Meta's platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger. It helps users with tasks ranging from planning events to studying for exams and even generating creative content.

  • Grok (xAI): Grok is integrated with the X (formerly Twitter) platform and draws on real-time posts and discussions as part of its responses. It's a useful option for tracking breaking news, public sentiment and social media trends, though as with any chatbot, fast-moving or trending topics should be independently verified. 

  • Perplexity: Perplexity is built around research and sourcing — it answers questions by pulling from current web content and citing where the information came from. This makes it a good fit for staff who want a starting point for research with a visible trail back to original sources, rather than a general-purpose writing assistant.