Getting Started with AI·Lesson 7

Setting Up Gemini & Perplexity

Complete your AI toolkit with Google's Gemini and the research-focused Perplexity.

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Google Gemini Setup

Go to gemini.google.com and sign in with your Google account. Gemini integrates deeply with the Google ecosystem — Gmail, Docs, Drive, Calendar.

Gemini's key advantage is real-time information access and Google service integration. When you need current data or want to work within Google Workspace, Gemini is the natural choice.

Perplexity Setup

Go to perplexity.ai and create an account. Perplexity is fundamentally different from ChatGPT and Claude — it's a research tool that searches the web in real-time and provides cited answers.

Every Perplexity response includes source links. This makes it invaluable for:
- Fact-checking AI outputs from other tools

- Research that requires current information

- Any question where you need to verify the answer

Building Your AI Toolkit

The most effective AI users don't rely on a single tool. Here's a practical toolkit:

Daily driver: ChatGPT or Claude (pick based on your primary use case)
Research: Perplexity (when you need cited, current information)

Google integration: Gemini (when working in Google Workspace)

Image generation: Midjourney or ChatGPT/DALL-E

Coding: ChatGPT, Claude, or Cursor AI

Start with two — your daily driver and Perplexity for research. Add others as your needs grow.

Practice This

Set up both Gemini and Perplexity. Ask all four AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity) the same current-events question and compare how each handles it — especially noting which provides sources.

Try this on ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini

Key Takeaways
  • Gemini is best for Google Workspace integration and current information
  • Perplexity is the best research tool — always provides cited sources
  • Build a toolkit of 2-3 AI tools rather than relying on just one
  • Use Perplexity to fact-check outputs from other AI tools

Test Yourself

Q1Why should you use multiple AI tools instead of just one?
Different tools have different strengths. ChatGPT/Claude for generation, Perplexity for cited research, Gemini for Google integration. Using the right tool for each task gives better results.