A beginner’s guide to: GenAI vs Google search

At Strawberry Sauce, our mission is to demystify Generative AI, making it approachable and user-friendly for all. Continuing our "Beginner's Guide” series, it is time to look at reasons to use generative AI.

Firstly, let’s explore the difference between using a search engine such as Google compared to using generative open AI like ChatGPT. As simple as this may seem we have had this question raised on many occasions. Just recently we heard someone say ‘ChatGPT is better than Google!’

They are however fundamentally different.

In simple terms a search engine, like Google, will help you find current information on the internet. You click on links and access the information that you need. A GenAI tool however, uses information it has already been provided to create new information and content. This information may not be current, and could be based on data in previous years.

Here is an example relating to one of our favourite things, strawberry sauce.

Asking Google: When you search for strawberry sauce recipes on Google, Google operates as a search engine. It quickly scans through millions of web pages and brings you a list of links that contain recipes for strawberry sauce. These links often lead to various cooking websites, blogs, or recipe databases. You would need to click through the different links to read individual recipes, and each recipe might have different styles or levels of detail. They will most likely have actual users reviews making the recipe trusted.

Asking ChatGPT: On the other hand, when you ask ChatGPT for a strawberry sauce recipe, you are interacting with an AI language model. ChatGPT doesn't search the internet but instead generates a response based on its training. It can provide a recipe directly in the chat, often in a conversational manner. The recipe provided by ChatGPT might be a general or commonly known method of making strawberry sauce, and it can also customise the recipe based on specific dietary needs or preferences if you mention them. It is important to note that while ChatGPT can provide helpful and general information, it may not always reflect the most current trends or be 100% accurate as it does not have access to the internet in the same way as Google for real-time data. In some cases it will make content randomly if it is unsure of the answer. If you ask the ChatGPT to make a recipe that includes strawberries and chicken, it will. There will however be no evidence that the recipe will produce something that you will enjoy eating.

So what reasons would you use a pubic GenAI?

Here are some of our favourite examples you may like to try! Remember - always protect and do not share your personal information.