The AI Second Brain

For the longest time this has not only been confusing as HELL, but also got WORSE with new models.

I’m talking about WHICH ChatGPT model does WHAT.

BUT. FINALLY! They made a guide that literally explains WHEN to use WHAT AI model

What you need to know + example prompts to save:

GPT-4o "Excels at everyday tasks"

Brainstorming, summarizing, emails, and creative content.

Fully multimodal: supports almost all capabilities (GPTs, data analysis, search, image generation, canvas, advanced voice) and inputs (documents, images, CSV files, audio, and video).

Example Prompts:

- Summarize meeting notes into key action items.

- Draft a follow-up email after a project kickoff.

- Proofread my report.

GPT-4.5 "Ideal for creative tasks"

Emotional intelligence, clear communication, creativity, and a more collaborative, intuitive approach to brainstorming.

Example Prompts:

- Create an engaging post about AI trends.

- Write a product description for a new feature launch.

- Develop a customer apology letter with an empathetic tone.

OpenAI o4-mini "Fast technical tasks"

Quick STEM-related queries, programming, visual reasoning.

Example Prompts:

- Extract key data points from a CSV file.

- Provide a quick summary of a scientific article.

- Quick-fix this Python traceback for me.

OpenAI o4-mini-high (ridiculous name) "Detailed technical tasks"

Advanced coding, math, scientific explanations, thinks longer for higher accuracy.

Example Prompts:

- Solve a complex math equation and explain the steps.

- Draft SQL queries for data extraction.

- Explain a scientific concept in layman’s terms.

OpenAI o3 "Complex, or multi step tasks"

Strategic planning, detailed analyses, extensive coding, advanced math, science, coding, and visual reasoning.

Example Prompts:

- Develop a risk analysis for market expansion.

- Draft a business strategy outline based on competitive data.

- Run a multi-step analysis on this CSV, forecast next quarter and plot the trend.

OpenAI o1 pro mode (the $200 AI big boy) "Complex reasoning"

Takes a bit longer to think but delivers the accuracy you need for complex tasks.

Example Prompts:

- Draft a detailed risk-analysis memo for an EU data-privacy rollout.

- Generate a multi-page research summary on emerging technologies.

- Create an algorithm for financial forecasting using theoretical models.

If you want to put these models to work for your business, I have 5 practical guides here.

To summarize, here are the limits and capabilities:

GPT-4o - Omni model for real-time, multimodal reasoning in everyday workflows.

GPT-4.5 - Broader knowledge and better tone control, ideal for writing, coding and quick problem-solving.

o4-mini - Fast, cost-efficient reasoning for code, math and visual tasks.

o4-mini-high - o4-mini with extra depth for more thorough technical answers.

o3 - most powerful engine for complex, multi-step analysis.

o1-pro - Legacy model tuned for high-stakes, long-form analytic work.

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Got questions? Happy to help, I use all of them daily. (And Gemini is often better lol)

BONUS: A FUN, EDUCATIONAL STORY from last week:

I lost a 10k deal.

AND I’m paying THEM $100 to roast me:

EXTRA: 5 practical AI guides for the cost of 1 Italian espresso ⬇️

Arrivederci!

- Alex Northstar, your guide to success with AI 🌟