THE WHICH AI? WORKSHEET Understanding AI HQ free worksheet, version 1.1 (2026-11-11) Fill it in online, print it or get the PDF: Understanding AI HQ website, Learn > Worksheets HOW TO USE IT 1. Answer the five questions for one real task. 2. Shortlist two options using our model profiles, and note the date you checked their prices. 3. Run the same prompt in both, word for word, and score each answer. 4. Record your decision and a date to check it again. ================================================================ PART 1. THE FIVE QUESTIONS ================================================================ 1. WHAT EXACTLY IS THE TASK? (ONE SENTENCE) > 2. WHAT DOES A MISTAKE COST? [ ] Nothing much: it's a draft or a brainstorm [ ] Some rework: I'll review it anyway [ ] A lot: it goes to a client, customer, publication or decision 3. HOW SENSITIVE IS THE DATA? [ ] Public or harmless [ ] Internal: I need to check the provider's data and training settings [ ] Must never leave my own machine: look at open-weight models run locally 4. HOW OFTEN, AND HOW MUCH? [ ] A few chats a day: an app subscription [ ] Bulk documents or my own app: pay-per-use API, consider a cheaper tier 5. WHAT'S THE BUDGET? [ ] Free while I learn [ ] A personal subscription [ ] Pay per use (write your monthly estimate below) MONTHLY ESTIMATE, IF PAY PER USE > ================================================================ PART 2. SHORTLIST TWO OPTIONS ================================================================ Prices and lineups change often. Our model profiles show each fact with the date we checked it. YOUR TWO OPTIONS | Tool and plan or tier | Price checked on | Data terms read? -------- | --------------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- Option A | ____ | ____ | ____ Option B | ____ | ____ | ____ ================================================================ PART 3. THE SIDE-BY-SIDE TEST (ABOUT 20 MINUTES) ================================================================ Use the same prompt, word for word, in both tools. Score each answer from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent). TASK 1 > TASK 1 SCORES | Option A | Option B ------------------------- | -------- | -------- Accuracy | ____ | ____ Usefulness | ____ | ____ Editing needed (5 = none) | ____ | ____ Time taken (minutes) | ____ | ____ TASK 2 (A DIFFERENT KIND OF TASK) > TASK 2 SCORES | Option A | Option B ------------------------- | -------- | -------- Accuracy | ____ | ____ Usefulness | ____ | ____ Editing needed (5 = none) | ____ | ____ Time taken (minutes) | ____ | ____ ================================================================ PART 4. DECISION ================================================================ I'LL USE > FOR > BECAUSE > > RE-CHECK THIS DECISION ON (DATE) > ---------------------------------------------------------------- Check names, numbers, dates, quotes and citations against a source you trust. Fluent is not the same as correct. ################################################################ # EXAMPLE ANSWERS ################################################################ THE WHICH AI? WORKSHEET Understanding AI HQ free worksheet, version 1.1 (2026-11-11) Fill it in online, print it or get the PDF: Understanding AI HQ website, Learn > Worksheets HOW TO USE IT 1. Answer the five questions for one real task. 2. Shortlist two options using our model profiles, and note the date you checked their prices. 3. Run the same prompt in both, word for word, and score each answer. 4. Record your decision and a date to check it again. EXAMPLE ANSWERS. The example answers show how to fill it in. The tools are left unnamed and the scores are made up for illustration: they are not our test results. ================================================================ PART 1. THE FIVE QUESTIONS ================================================================ 1. WHAT EXACTLY IS THE TASK? (ONE SENTENCE) > Summarise supplier contracts into a one-page risk note. 2. WHAT DOES A MISTAKE COST? [ ] Nothing much: it's a draft or a brainstorm [ ] Some rework: I'll review it anyway [x] A lot: it goes to a client, customer, publication or decision 3. HOW SENSITIVE IS THE DATA? [ ] Public or harmless [x] Internal: I need to check the provider's data and training settings [ ] Must never leave my own machine: look at open-weight models run locally 4. HOW OFTEN, AND HOW MUCH? [x] A few chats a day: an app subscription [ ] Bulk documents or my own app: pay-per-use API, consider a cheaper tier 5. WHAT'S THE BUDGET? [ ] Free while I learn [x] A personal subscription [ ] Pay per use (write your monthly estimate below) MONTHLY ESTIMATE, IF PAY PER USE > ================================================================ PART 2. SHORTLIST TWO OPTIONS ================================================================ Prices and lineups change often. Our model profiles show each fact with the date we checked it. YOUR TWO OPTIONS | Tool and plan or tier | Price checked on | Data terms read? -------- | --------------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- Option A | Tool 1, personal plan | 11 Nov 2026 | Yes Option B | Tool 2, personal plan | 11 Nov 2026 | Yes ================================================================ PART 3. THE SIDE-BY-SIDE TEST (ABOUT 20 MINUTES) ================================================================ Use the same prompt, word for word, in both tools. Score each answer from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent). TASK 1 > Summarise the attached 6-page supplier contract. TASK 1 SCORES | Option A | Option B ------------------------- | -------- | -------- Accuracy | 4 | 3 Usefulness | 4 | 4 Editing needed (5 = none) | 3 | 3 Time taken (minutes) | 2 | 3 TASK 2 (A DIFFERENT KIND OF TASK) > Draft a polite late-payment reminder. TASK 2 SCORES | Option A | Option B ------------------------- | -------- | -------- Accuracy | 5 | 5 Usefulness | 4 | 4 Editing needed (5 = none) | 4 | 3 Time taken (minutes) | 1 | 1 ================================================================ PART 4. DECISION ================================================================ I'LL USE > Option A FOR > Contract summaries and client emails BECAUSE > It was more accurate on the contract, which is the task I do most, and the data terms fit. RE-CHECK THIS DECISION ON (DATE) > 1 Feb 2027 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Check names, numbers, dates, quotes and citations against a source you trust. Fluent is not the same as correct.