ELI5: what is the difference between chatgpt and perplexity ai

ChatGPT and Perplexity AI are like two smart friends who can answer your questions, but one (ChatGPT) is better at making up stories, while the other (Perplexity AI) is better at showing you where it found its answers.

Imagine you ask both friends, "Where do strawberries come from?"

• ChatGPT might tell you a detailed story about a magical strawberry patch guarded by gnomes, where the sweetest strawberries in the world grow. It sounds great, but it's probably not true. Think of ChatGPT like a really creative storyteller. It can write poems, scripts, or even finish your sentences. It's good at generating text, even if it's not always factual. So, it's like having a friend who's a great writer but might exaggerate a bit.

• Perplexity AI, on the other hand, will tell you that strawberries are grown on farms and in gardens, and then show you links to websites like gardening blogs or scientific articles that confirm this. It's like having a friend who always shows their work. It’s more focused on giving you accurate information and showing you where that information comes from. Perplexity AI is like a super-efficient research assistant that gives you summarized answers and links to the sources.

• Use ChatGPT when you need creative text, like writing a birthday card or brainstorming ideas for a party.
• Use Perplexity AI when you need factual information, like researching a school project or finding the best recipe for chocolate chip cookies. It's especially helpful if you want to double-check the information and see where it came from.