Chat based LLMs like ChatGPT and Google Gemini reward the curious, much more than traditional search engines.

Let’s say you are looking to purchase an air purifier for your home. Google Search is not built for people to be extremely curious. Typically Google Search is a one shot tool. You may type “What’s the best air purifier for a single family home of less than 2500 square feet.” But what comes next is a research project. Clicking on the links, reading the click bait ad pages, trying to navigate and remember the different pros and cons and manually comparing and making notes.

LLMs are different. LLMs reward curiosity.

Today I researched a home air purifier using ChatGPT 4o. The experience was very different than a typical Google Search. Here are the questions I asked:

  • I’m trying to find the best air purifier for my home.  Something that is free standing that can be plugged into the wall.  What should I take into consideration when I look at options?
  • I’ve got a 4 bedroom that is a total of 2200 sq feet.  It’s a semi-open floor plan where the kitchen, living room, dining room, and entry are fairly open and connected. The 4 bedrooms average about 15x15 feet.   What are good options for me.
  • How much space needs to be given around these air purifiers? Can they be tucked behind a couch or in a corner?
  • Can you get too much air purifier for a space, and would that have any negative consequences?
  • Can you perform a deep comparison between the Coway and Alen, including a 5-year total cost of ownership?
  • Are there any mistakes that people make when purchasing these filters?
  • What other common mistakes or regrets do customers typically make that can be easily avoided?
  • Why are people most unhappy with the model XXXX?

LLMs like ChatGPT is much more powerful when you think of it as an advisor and not just an answer machine.

I know there are clearly some things that I have missed and deeper ways I could analyze this problem, but I hope this provides an example of how the power of generative AI really comes from being more curious.