Everyone should have access to the tools to learn AI on their own terms. When owners and teams understand the basics,
every conversation about AI gets better.
Here are the four major AI platforms, what each one does well, and the free training their makers offer.
Last reviewed October 2026. Features, pricing and course availability change often, so please confirm details on each provider's site before you sign up or buy. Taskroot is not affiliated with these companies, and these links are shared for general information only.
Gemini is built into the Google tools many businesses already use, including Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Drive and Meet. If your team lives in Google Workspace, this is the easiest place to start.
Start here Introduction to Generative AI A short, free primer from Google on what generative AI is and how it works. Open Intro to Gen AI →Models at a glance
| Model | Best for | At work | In personal life | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flash-Lite | Quick, everyday questions | Drafting short emails, summarizing notes | Recipes, quick lookups, trip ideas | Free plan |
| Flash | Fast, capable all-rounder | Writing, research, working across Google apps | Planning, budgeting, learning a new topic | Paid plans |
| Pro | Complex thinking and long documents | Analyzing reports, strategy, detailed writing | Big decisions, deep research | AI Pro and Ultra |
| Deep Think | Hardest problems, slower and more careful | Multi-step analysis, tough planning problems | Complex learning projects | AI Pro and Ultra |
| Nano Banana and Veo | Images (Nano Banana) and video (Veo) | Social graphics, simple promo clips | Creative projects, cards, invitations | Varies by plan |
Most people meet AI through ChatGPT first. That makes it a shared starting point for a team, even when everyone's comfort level is different.
Start here AI Foundations OpenAI Academy's free beginner course, built for everyday work. Open AI Foundations →How ChatGPT works now
Instead of choosing a model by name, you choose how much thinking you want, from Instant up to Extra High. ChatGPT decides which model powers that level behind the scenes, so you spend less time picking and more time working. Start with Instant for quick tasks and move up a level only when an answer misses the mark.
Thinking levels at a glance
| Level | Best for | At work | In personal life | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instant | Fast everyday answers | Emails, rewording, quick summaries | Questions, meal plans, gift ideas | Free, with limits |
| Medium | Standard thinking for most work | Comparing options, analyzing data, planning projects | Budgeting, sorting out a tricky decision | Limited free, more on paid |
| High and Extra High | Extended thinking for harder problems | Detailed analysis, long or complex documents | Big decisions with many moving parts | Paid plans |
| Pro | OpenAI's most powerful option | In-depth research, the most demanding work | Rarely needed for personal use | Pro plan |
| Images and Sora | Images and video | Mockups, social posts, presentation visuals | Creative fun, family projects | Varies by plan |
Claude is known for clear writing and working well with long documents. Anthropic also offers one of the most complete free course catalogs of any AI company.
Start here Claude 101 A free, no-code course with a certificate. Sign up with just an email. Open Claude 101 →How Claude model names work
Models at a glance
| Model | Current version | Best for | At work | In personal life | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haiku | Haiku 5.5 | Speed and simple tasks | Sorting, tagging, quick replies, short summaries | Fast answers on the go | Apps and integrations |
| Sonnet | Sonnet 5.5 | Everyday workhorse | Writing, editing, research, document review | Learning, planning, thinking things through | Free, with limits |
| Opus | Opus 5.5 | Complex, high-stakes work | Strategy, long reports, detailed analysis | Big decisions, deep research | Paid plans |
| Fable | Fable 5.1 | Anthropic's top tier, built for long, demanding projects | Multi-day research, large technical builds | Rarely needed for personal use | Paid plans |
Copilot lives inside Windows, Edge and Microsoft 365. It runs on OpenAI models along with Microsoft's own, built around the tools your team already opens every morning.
Start here Copilot on Microsoft Learn Free self-paced modules. Search "Copilot" to find beginner paths. Open Microsoft Learn →Versions at a glance
| Version | Best for | At work | In personal life | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copilot | Everyday chat, web answers, images, voice | Drafting, research with sources, quick visuals | Questions, planning, hands-free help by voice | Free account |
| Think Deeper | Slower, more careful answers | Working through complex questions | Big purchases, tricky decisions | Free |
| Microsoft 365 Copilot | AI inside Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams | Meeting recaps, inbox help, documents using your own files | Not designed for personal use | Business license |
Learning the tools is step one. If you would rather have systems built around how your business runs, that is what Taskroot does.