AI Tool Comparison
Original work: "Educators' guide to multimodal learning and Generative AI" — Tünde Varga-Atkins, Samuel Saunders, et al. (2024/25) — CC BY-NC 4.0
Adapted for UK Nursing Education by: Lincoln Gombedza, RN (LD)
Last Updated: December 2025
This page compares the leading AI platforms currently available, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, and specific utility for nursing education.
Major Platform Comparison
| Feature | ChatGPT (OpenAI) | Claude (Anthropic) | Gemini (Google) | Perplexity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Creative tasks, voice interaction, and data analysis. | Analytical writing, coding, and large document processing. | Google Workspace integration and real-time information. | Research and source verification. |
| Reasoning | Strong across various domains. | High nuance, tends to be "safest" in tone. | Native integration with Google ecosystem. | Excellent at citing sources. |
| Multimodal | Image generation (DALL-E), voice, vision. | Vision (image analysis). | Native multimodal (audio, video, vision). | Vision and search. |
| Data Privacy | Strong enterprise options; default consumer data used for training. | Designed with "Constitutional AI" principles; strong enterprise privacy. | Integrated into Google Cloud's high security standards. | Consumer-focused; privacy depends on subscription. |
Specialized Nursing & Healthcare Tools
While general models are powerful, some specialized tools are emerging that are highly relevant to nursing:
1. PubMed / Research-Specific AI
- Consensus / Elicit: These tools search peer-reviewed journals to answer medical questions with direct citations.
- Nursing Utility: Essential for Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) modules and ensuring clinical accuracy.
2. Clinical Simulation Tools
- Virtual Patient Simulators: Many are beginning to integrate LLMs to provide more dynamic, conversational interactions.
- Nursing Utility: Developing communication skills and clinical judgment in a safe environment.
Feature Matrix for Nursing Tasks
| Task | Recommended Tool | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Drafting Care Plans | Claude | Excellent at following multi-step, structured logic. |
| Explaining Pathophysiology | ChatGPT / Gemini | Good at creating simple analogies for complex concepts. |
| Verifying Clinical Data | Perplexity / Elicit | Direct links to primary research and journals. |
| Generating Patient Visuals | ChatGPT (DALL-E 3) | Highly controllable image generation for education. |
| Analyzing Large Research Papers | Claude (100k+ Context) | Can "read" and summarize entire clinical reports. |
Important Caveat: "Hallucinations"
No matter which tool you choose, all Generative AI models can hallucinate. In a nursing context, this means they may invent medication dosages, clinical symptoms, or nursing guidelines that sound plausible but are incorrect.
[!WARNING] Clinical Verification Rule: Never use AI-generated clinical information without verifying it against an authoritative source (e.g., NICE, Royal Marsden Manual, or institutional policies).
Next: Understand the specific Selection Criteria you should use when evaluating these tools for your institution.