Guide to Using Perplexity

Overview of AI Tools

• Spectrum of AI Tools:
  • High Brain Power Creative Tasks: ChatGPT (ChGPT), Google Gemini
  • Accurate, Real-Time Information: Perplexity, Google Search
  • Single Source of Truth: Reddit
• Use Cases:
  • For brainstorming/editing/writing: ChGPT & Gemini are better.
  • For accurate answers (e.g. supplements, troubleshooting): Perplexity is preferred.

Settings and Features

Exclusions and Data Handling

• Excluding Data: Perplexity allows users to exclude data from training while accessing conversation history.
• Pro Version Myths:
  • Buying Pro does not grant access to other paid AI tools like ChGPT despite model selection.
  • Different fine-tuning methods lead to different experiences, even with the same underlying model.

Profile Tab

• Self-Introduction Section:
  • Similar to ChGPT's custom instructions.
  • Set preferences for writing style (e.g. structure, tone).
  • Custom instructions can enhance overall experience and are set once.

Home Tab Features

Focus Feature

• Narrowing Sources:
  • Improves output quality by targeting specific sources based on query type (e.g. academic, social, video).
• Writing Option:
  • Generates text without web search but less effective than ChGPT and Gemini for creative writing.

Attach Feature

• File Uploads:
  • Free users can attach PDFs only; workaround for images is to convert to PDF.

Real World Use Case

Connecting to Marriott Wi-Fi on iPhone

• Instructions Provided:
  • Quick and concise steps from various sources.
  • Supplementary info like troubleshooting videos included.
• Comparison with Google:
  • Google requires more clicks and may provide outdated information.
  • Perplexity provides immediate, relevant answers.

Collections Feature

• Example Use Case:
  • Planning a trip to Japan:
    • Create a collection for tourist recommendations.
    • Add AI prompts for tailored responses.
• Outline Generation:
  • Useful for structured presentations using specific frameworks.
  • Confident in data accuracy due to sourced bullet points.

Performance Comparison

Thumbnail Brainstorming

• Creative Tasks:
  • ChGPT outperforms Perplexity in generating creative and relevant thumbnail ideas.
  • Higher brain-intensive creative tasks suit ChGPT or Gemini better than Perplexity.

Pro vs Free Version

• Pro Features:
  • Set preferred text-to-text and text-to-image models.
  • Pro users can search more frequently and access detailed answers.
  • Some features not covered in detail (e.g. generating entire blog posts).

Additional Tools

• Labs Environment:
  • A sandbox for developers to test Perplexity's models.

Conclusion

• Further Learning:
  • Playlist available for deeper insights into AI topics.