What are the best AI tools right now?

For general chat and writing: ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini, all excellent and mostly free. For research with sources: Perplexity. For images and video: the current crop of generators changes monthly. For running a business, pick a tool that connects your website, messages and bookings rather than another chat window.

Pick by job, not by brand

Every list of “best AI tools” goes out of date within months because the models leapfrog each other. What does not change is the job you need done. Here is the honest state of play, organised that way.

Writing and thinking: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini

All three are strong for drafting, editing, summarising and planning. Claude tends to write the most naturally and follow long instructions carefully. ChatGPT has the widest set of add-ons. Gemini is built into Google Workspace, which matters if your business lives in Gmail and Docs. The free tiers are enough for most owners; pay when you hit limits.

Research with sources: Perplexity

When you need an answer you can check, Perplexity cites where it got it. Useful for supplier research, regulations and competitor pricing.

Images, video and social content

Image generators now produce usable product shots, banners and social tiles from a sentence. Video tools can turn a few photos into a reel. The catch: generic AI imagery is easy to spot. Use it for backgrounds and graphics; keep real photos for your work and your people.

Coding

Claude and ChatGPT both write and fix code well. If you are non-technical, this is how you build the small tools you used to wish for: a quote calculator, a form, a spreadsheet macro.

Running a small business

This is where the chat tools stop. They can write the reply but they cannot see your bookings, send it on WhatsApp, or update your website. For that you need a system with hands as well as a brain: one that is connected to your site, inbox, calendar and customer list.

Where Kahu fitsKahu AssistKahu Assist is an AI agent that runs your website, marketing, bookings and follow-ups from one chat, and asks before anything goes live. You keep the yes; it does the typing.Connects to your site, WhatsApp, calendar and emailAsks before anything goes liveSet up from one 15-minute chatSee Kahu Assist →Fill Thursday’s empty slots and let the cafe know the new brunch hours.Kahu · 3 actions readyTwo Thursday gaps at 11:00 and 14:30. Drafted messages to 6 waitlisted customers.Updated the hours on your site and Google profile to Sat–Sun 8–2.One post about the new hours, using your Sunday counter photo.ChangeApprove all

A sensible starter kit

• One general assistant (free tier) for writing and thinking.
• Perplexity for anything you need to verify.
• One connected business system for enquiries, bookings and marketing.
• Nothing else until you feel a specific gap.