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ChatGPT vs. Gemini is ?? ??? ??the AI showdown I've been itching to stage – and now I’m finally pitting the most popular chatbots in a head-to-head, nail-biting match.

ChatGPT, a brainchild of AI startup OpenAI, is far from the first AI chatbot to hit mainstream popularity, but I’d argue it was the first in recent years to kick off a fierce AI race. After it launched in November 2022, its traffic peaked at a whopping 1.8 billion users, according to analytics firm Similarweb (via TheWrap).

Soon after, a proliferation of AI began. From Snapchat AIand Meta AIto Samsung Galaxy AIand X’s Grok, it seemed like there was a chatbot launching every day. 

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However, only one seems to be a true ChatGPT rival: Google Gemini (formerly Google Bard). Like Microsoft-backed ChatGPT, Gemini is supported by one of the most prominent tech giants — and has plenty of rich data to tap into, including Google Maps, Google Search, Google Translate, and more.

But the question is, does Gemini beat ChatGPT? We put both to the test in a five-round match.

SEE ALSO: I spent a week using AI tools in my daily life. Here's how it went.

ChatGPT vs. Gemini: Methodology

I used ChatGPT and Gemini's free tiers for this showdown. I tested both AI chatbots using the same question across the following five topics: food, finance, travel, creativity, and historical information. Ding, ding, ding! Let’s see who wins.

Round 1: Food

Based on what's in my kitchen, let's see which AI chatbot can offer the best recipe suggestion. Here's my prompt:

I have the following in my kitchen: green plantains, whole-grain linguine and rotini, garlic, onion, granulated chicken bouillon, kidney beans, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, soy sauce, brussel sprouts, tomatoes, lime, lemon, tomatoes, spring onions, carrots, butter, milk, oil, garlic powder, salt, cumin, cayenne pepper, and paprika. Name one recipe I can make that uses as much as these ingredients as possible.

ChatGPT's response

Credit: Mashable / ChatGPT

Gemini's response

Credit: Mashable / ChatGPT

I may be biased because I have a Caribbean background, but Gemini's recipe suggestion sounds far tastier. ChatGPT's recommendation, however, seems a bit haphazard. The veggies in my kitchen don't seem ideal for stir fry — at least, not for my picky taste.

Winner: Gemini

Round 2: Finances

Using a fictitious person called "Joe," I used the following financial-focused prompt for ChatGPT and Gemini:

Joe makes $3,000 a month (after taxes) in Brooklyn, New York in 2024. Between housing, transportation, groceries, dining out, savings (retirement), and disposable income, create a monthly budget chart.

ChatGPT's response

ChatGPT will have Joe eating Ramen every month. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Gemini's response

Gemini's response seems a little more realistic. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

To be fair, this is a head-scratching conundrum. Even humans struggle with creating a monthly budgets for themselves, particularly those with five-figure yearly incomes in high-cost-of-living cities. As such, it's no wonder that ChatGPT and Gemini botched their responses.

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I couldn't help but exclaim "Huh?!" after reading ChatGPT's chart. Why is it carving out a budget for rent that is higher than the allotted $3,000? I'd also argue that $177 for transportation too low, but I'm willing to look the other way if Joe is a remote worker (or owns a bicycle or scooter).

Plus, spending less than $90 a week on groceries would be quite the challenge. I'd probably allocate more dining out and retirement money for supermarket shopping.

Although Gemini's $1,050 monthly rent suggestion is laughable, with a roommate (or two), it's feasible. There's too much in the transportation budget, particularly for someone with access to public transportation. I would cut down some of that and add it to groceries pool. Dining out could use a reduction, but the rest is tolerable.

Winner: Gemini

Round 3: Travel

I used ChatGPT for a trip to Costa Rica — and it failed miserably. I don't have any upcoming vacations, but I asked ChatGPT and Gemini to create a weekend itinerary for my local area.

It's Saturday and I live in Valley Stream. I want to have an active, adventurous day with lots of entertainment. Create an itinerary for me from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Start with breakfast at the best spot in Valley Stream and end with dinner at the best spot in Valley Stream.

ChatGPT's response

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Gemini's response

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Save for Valley Stream State Park, all of ChatGPT's suggestions are out of town. I also specifically stated that I did notwant lunch included in the itinerary, but it deliberately disobeyed me. Oh well. On the plus side, Frank's Steaks sounds very delicious.

Gemini, on the other hand, listed locations that are actually in town, including Valbrook Diner and Ben's Crab. However, there's a four-hour gap in the itinerary. Am I supposed to just twiddle my thumbs between rock climbing and dinner? Also, it seems like Gemini completely made up "Rockaway Adventure Zone" — I can't seem to find this establishment via Google.

Winner: Draw

Round 4: Creativity

Let's test ChatGPT and Gemini's creativity.

In the voice of Eminem, tell me how TikTok is affecting society.

ChatGPT's response

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Gemini's response

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Gemini has the better response. It has a flow that is more reminiscent of the "Lose Yourself" rapper. Plus, the expletives are very on brand.

Winner: Gemini

Round 5: Historical facts

I thought it'd be interesting to test ChatGPT and Gemini's accuracy with fashion history.

Which decade was it fashionable and popular to wear one's name on a chunky statement belt?

ChatGPT's response

You finally got it right, ChatGPT. Congratulations. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Gemini's response

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Finally, ChatGPT prevailed over Gemini in this round. The answer I'm looking for is early 2000s.

Winner: ChatGPT

ChatGPT vs. Gemini: Which is the winner?

The clear winner of this five-round match is Gemini. In three rounds, Google AI chatbot provided better answers. However, if you ever need any help with fashion history, ChatGPT's your best bet, I guess.

Topics Artificial Intelligence