This is what Google’s AI has to say about Perplexity AI:
Perplexity AI is often considered better than other AI chatbots for its in-depth research capabilities, real-time web search, and concise, source-backed answers, making it a valuable tool for users seeking accurate and verifiable information.
Here’s a breakdown of why Perplexity AI stands out:
- In-Depth Research: Perplexity excels at detailed research, providing comprehensive answers and citations, unlike other chatbots that may focus on general knowledge or text generation.
- Real-Time Web Search: It leverages real-time web search capabilities to deliver up-to-date information, ensuring the answers are current and relevant.
- Concise and Source-Backed Answers: Perplexity provides answers in a clear and concise format, often including summaries and links to sources, allowing users to verify the information.
- Contextual Understanding: It demonstrates a strong ability to understand context and provide tailored responses, making it easier for users to find the information they need.
- Perplexity Pro: The paid version of Perplexity AI offers enhanced capabilities, including unlimited pro search, file uploads, longer conversations, priority access to the latest AI models, and API access – for a fee.
- Versatility: While it’s strong in research, Perplexity can also be used for various tasks, including translation, summarization, and even creating poems, code, and articles.
- No AI Image Creation: Unlike some other chatbots, Perplexity AI does not include free AI image creation functionality, but you can subscribe to Perplexity Pro for basic AI-image creation tools.
Now back to a real human typing on a keyboard…
Below I’m going to compare two AI responses to the same question to illustrate some differences in the kind of response one might expect from each. First, I’ll ask Google‘s default search AI to respond:
Question: “How do scientists measure the age and farthest distance of the known universe?”
Scientists estimate the universe’s age and farthest distance by measuring the Hubble constant (expansion rate) and extrapolating back to the Big Bang, and by studying redshift and cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB).
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
1. Measuring the Age of the Universe:
- Expansion Rate: The universe is expanding, and by measuring the rate of expansion (the Hubble constant), scientists can estimate how long it has been expanding, which gives an estimate of the universe’s age.
- Hubble Constant: The Hubble constant is a critical anchor point for calibrating other fundamental cosmological parameters for the universe.
- Extrapolating Back to the Big Bang: By knowing the expansion rate, scientists can work backward to determine when the universe was at its smallest and hottest state, the Big Bang.
- Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB): The CMB is the oldest light in the universe, dating back to about 380,000 years after the Big Bang. By studying the CMB, scientists can learn about the early universe and its age.
- Globular Clusters: Astronomers can also estimate the age of the universe by studying the oldest stars in globular clusters, which are groups of stars that formed around the same time.
- Uranium Abundance: Scientists can also estimate the age of the universe by comparing the abundance of uranium in very old stars to that in the solar system, as uranium decays at a known rate.
2. Measuring the Farthest Distance of the Observable Universe:
- Redshift: As the universe expands, the light from distant galaxies is stretched, causing their light to shift towards the red end of the spectrum (redshift).
- Distance and Redshift: By measuring the redshift of distant galaxies, astronomers can determine not only their distance but also their velocity relative to Earth.
- Light Years: Scientists use light years (the distance light travels in one year) to measure the vast distances in space.
- Cosmic Distance Ladder: Astronomers use a series of techniques, known as the “cosmic distance ladder,” to measure distances to objects at various scales in the universe.
- Parallax: For nearby stars, astronomers use parallax (the apparent shift in position of a star against the background of distant stars as Earth orbits the Sun) to measure distances.
- Cepheids and Supernovae: Astronomers use Cepheid variable stars and supernovae as “standard candles” to measure distances to galaxies.
- Spectroscopy: Spectroscopy, the study of light emitted or absorbed by objects, helps astronomers determine the composition and redshift of distant galaxies.
- Hubble Space Telescope and James Webb Space Telescope: Powerful telescopes like the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescope allow astronomers to observe distant objects and measure their redshifts and distances.
And now Perplexity AI:
Question: “How do scientists measure the age and farthest distance of the known universe?”
Human here. Of course one must aways verify an AI’s response. However, Perplexity appears to deliver on its promise to provide “…answers (that) are current and relevant.” I need to spend more time using Perplexity, and will when it comes time to explore a new topic for instruction.
I just wanted to get this information out there that there’s a new search tool in town that appears to blow away the default search engines. And for most mortals the free version of Perplexity should do just fine, though at the time I’m writing this post Perplexity offers 3 Pro searches per day for free. I think that’s very generous and certainly works for me.
Check out Perplexity for yourself. I think you’ll be very impressed!
