By Phil Gee · AI Academy, Southport
I get asked this a lot.
"Phil — should I be using ChatGPT? Or Gemini? Or Claude? I keep seeing different things and I don't know where to start."
So let me clear it up. Because after teaching AI to small business owners for the past couple of years, I've settled on a really simple answer.
I teach two tools. Gemini and Claude. And they're not the same thing.
Gemini — the Easy Starting Point
If you're new to AI, or if you've been using social media and Google for your business already, Gemini is where I'd point you first.
Why? Because it lives inside the tools you probably already use. Gmail. Google Docs. Google Calendar. You don't have to go anywhere new. You just start using it where you already are.
It's brilliant for:
• Writing social media posts • Drafting emails quickly • Google Business Profile updates • Getting ideas out of your head fast • Understanding your local area
It works with your Google Workspace without you having to faff about with extra logins or subscriptions.
For my clients who are 50+ and who've been putting off AI because it feels complicated — Gemini is the one that makes them say "oh, I can actually do this."
Claude — When You're Ready to Go Further
Claude is different. Not harder — different.
If Gemini is the friendly assistant who helps you get things done, Claude is more like a thinking partner who helps you run your business better.
It's what I use for deep work:
• Long documents and proposals • Complex strategies and planning • Writing that actually sounds like you • Setting up projects that run the same way every time • Work that requires real thinking, not just quick answers
My clients who use Claude seriously tend to be further along — they've got past the "what even is AI" stage and they want to actually embed it into how their business operates. They want AI doing real work, not just answering questions.
That's what Claude does well.
So Which One Should You Use?
Here's my honest answer: start with Gemini if you're new. Move to Claude when you're ready for more.
Some of my clients use both — Gemini for day-to-day quick stuff, Claude for the heavier thinking. That's not unusual.
What I teach isn't really about the tools. It's about understanding what AI can actually do for your specific business, and knowing how to use it without spending all day on your phone or laptop.
Whether that's a workshop, a one-to-one programme, or having me set it all up for you — there's a way in that suits how you work.
Want to Know Where to Start?
Drop me a message and we'll have a free discovery call. No jargon, no pressure — just a conversation about what would actually help your business.
— Phil Gee, AI Academy, Southport