Gemini, Copilot, and the Platform Players

Not all AI assistants are standalone products. Some of the most widely used AI tools are baked into platforms you already use every day. Understanding these "platform players" is essential — because for many people, they'll be the default AI experience whether they choose them or not.

Google Gemini

Gemini is Google's AI assistant family, replacing the earlier Bard product. It's available at gemini.google.com and is being integrated throughout Google's product suite.

• The Gemini Model Family:
• Gemini Nano — Runs on-device (Pixel phones, Android)
• Gemini Pro — The mid-tier model, available in the free product
• Gemini Ultra — Available via Gemini Advanced ($20/month via Google One)
• Gemini 1.5 Pro — Features an extraordinary 1 million token context window

Where Gemini Wins:

Google Workspace Integration Gemini is embedded in Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Meet. If your work runs on Google Workspace, Gemini can draft emails, summarise threads, and create presentations without leaving the tools you already use.

Real-time search integration Gemini pulls in real-time Google Search results as part of its responses — meaning it's more likely to have current information than Claude or base ChatGPT.

Microsoft Copilot

Copilot is Microsoft's AI layer, powered by OpenAI's models. It comes in several forms:

• Copilot (free) — Available at copilot.microsoft.com and in Windows 11; powered by GPT-4
• Microsoft 365 Copilot — Integrated into Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams
• GitHub Copilot — Coding-specific AI integrated into code editors

• The Microsoft 365 Copilot Advantage:
• For enterprise users on Microsoft 365, Copilot is deeply integrated:
• Draft documents in Word based on a brief
• Summarise long email threads in Outlook
• Generate meeting summaries and action items from Teams recordings
• Build Excel formulas with natural language

GitHub Copilot: For developers, GitHub Copilot is arguably the most impactful AI tool available today. Studies suggest it increases developer productivity by 20-55% for the tasks it covers well.

Perplexity: The Search-Focused Alternative

Perplexity.ai occupies a different niche — it's explicitly designed as an AI-powered search engine.

• Every response includes cited sources
• It pulls real-time information from the web
• Excellent for factual questions where you need verifiable sources

How to Think About Platform Lock-In

When AI is built into a tool you already live in, the switching cost disappears — you use it because it's there.

• If your organisation runs on Google Workspace — Gemini will likely be your primary AI
• If your organisation runs on Microsoft 365 — Copilot will likely be your primary AI
• If you're a developer — GitHub Copilot plus either ChatGPT or Claude for general use
• If you're independent — you have the most choice and should evaluate based on task fit