Tech Tip: Stop Chasing AI Models. Here's What to Do Instead
Focus on practical AI habits rather than chasing model releases.
If you've spent more time reading about AI than actually using it, you're not alone. And you're not as behind as you think. AI isn't slowing down, and neither is the noise around it. Stop asking which tool is winning this week. And instead determine whether you're getting anything useful done with the one you have.
Here we are at the midpoint of 2026, and it feels like every week there's a new AI model making headlines. ChatGPT releases something, and suddenly it's the best thing out there. Then Google drops an update and takes the lead. Then Anthropic does something with Claude and shifts things again. It's a constant back and forth. And if you've been paying attention, you've probably felt the pressure. Like if you're not running the latest model, you're already behind. You're not. And chasing every release is one of the fastest ways to burn time and get nothing useful done.
A (Mostly) Three Horse Race
Right now, there are really three platforms worth your attention: ChatGPT from OpenAI, Google Gemini, and Claude from Anthropic. My first piece of advice is simple. Do not try to master all of them. You will drive yourself crazy trying to keep up with the release cycles. Instead, pick two of the three and commit to tinkering with them.
These companies are on different schedules. ChatGPT might jump ahead for a month with a new image generator or a coding update, then Google releases a new version of Gemini that integrates better with your Workspace, and suddenly the "lead" has shifted. If you try to chase the latest and greatest every single day, you lose the ability to actually get work done. Because here's what actually happens when you chase releases: you spend most of your time learning new interfaces and comparing outputs instead of building real habits that make AI useful in your day-to-day work.
Intentionality Matters
In previous articles, I have talked a lot about being intentional. Being intentional means using your time and energy in a way that matches the needs of your team and your business. This applies directly to how you approach AI. Before you worry about which model is faster, you have to ask yourself: What am I trying to do?
Once you get specific, pick the platform that fits your situation.
If you're already living in Google Workspace or using Gmail regularly, Gemini is an obvious starting point. You may already have access through your Google account. Start there. Have it help you organize your inbox, prioritize what needs a response, or pull together what's on your calendar. Simple things, but they save real time.
If you're doing a lot of document work, spreadsheet builds, or content creation, Claude has become a strong option. The Microsoft Office integration is particularly solid. Claude for Excel in particular is worth trying if you spend time building reports or dashboards. Describe what you want, and it builds it. It's not instant, but it's faster than learning every step yourself. And, for those in the Microsoft world, you may have access to the more robust features of Copilot built into the Microsoft suite. While I do not find it to be as good as the Claude plugins, it is worth exploring to see if it works for your specific needs.
And if you've been using ChatGPT for a while and it's working for you, stay with it. The image generation in the current version is probably the best of the three right now for most practical uses. Stick with what's producing results.
What a Deep Dive Into Claude Might Look Like
The direction Anthropic has taken with Claude feels more intentional for practical, everyday work, versus a more general consumer user model that both Google and Open AI have taken (at least initially). Google appears to be seeing a benefit from the Workspace connection, and I expect them to lean in very heavily to more business benefits in the coming months. That said, let’s explore Claude a little further.
One feature worth trying is Claude Cowork. Here’s a simple way to use it: have it review your email inbox each morning. It reads what's there, summarizes the full list, and then sorts things for you. Urgent items that need a response today. Important things that matter but aren't on fire. Follow-ups you've been meaning to get back to. And emails it recommends you file or archive because they've been sitting there long enough.
That's it. A two-minute briefing instead of scrolling through everything yourself and hoping nothing falls through the cracks. Not complicated, it doesn't replace your judgment, and it doesn’t write anything for you (note: it could if you wanted it to). But for a retail leader managing a full plate every day, it's something that can help reduce administrative work and simplify your day. Once you see it work on something like that, you start thinking about what else it could handle. That's the point. You're not trying to master an entire application or AI system. You're building a habit of asking: what else this could do for me?
You Don't Have to Be an Expert
I am not sure anyone is an expert on AI at this stage of the game. The people who seem like they're way ahead are mostly people who got started earlier and kept adding to what they know, piece by piece. That's actually the right model. Get something to work. Then ask what else you could do with it. Then add to that. Over time those small wins compound, and you'll look up and realize you're doing things with AI that would have taken you hours to do manually.
The frustrating part is these tools make mistakes. They sometimes make things up. That's not gone. But you learn how to prompt better, how to verify outputs, and how to use them where they're strong rather than expecting them to be perfect everywhere.
Right now, everything around AI is about intentionality. What do you want to get out of it, and why? The more clearly you can answer that, the more useful these tools become. Then practice and just try new things. You may be surprised at how many little things really can be replaced through AI and connecting systems together. When you can get some of that set up, you will have more time to spend on bigger items, like coaching your team and spending time with friends and family. Maybe you can even get a little extra sleep by not staying up late or getting up early to catch up on email or messages.
Have you started putting AI to work for you? How are you avoiding chasing the latest model and getting better at one that works for you?
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