Which AI Model Should Creators Be Using Now?

Not all top-ranked models are the best for you.

Author

Aaron Wu
July 28, 2025

Hey there! It’s Aaron.

What if the smartest AI isn’t the one you should be using?

Between new leaderboards, surprise acquisitions, and Google quietly draining your web traffic, this week’s AI news hits hard… especially for creators trying to stay ahead.

📌TL;DR

  • Smart ≠ Best: Grok 4 ranks highest in intelligence, but Gemini 2.5 Pro and DeepSeek R1 might be better picks for creators.

  • Traffic Drop: Google’s AI Overviews cut web clicks nearly 50%. Bad news if you rely on search.

  • Privacy Watch: Amazon bought a bracelet that records and transcribes you. Cool tech, but should we be worried?

  • More AI news…

Estimated reading time: 4 - 5 minutes.

CATCH OF THE DAY

What’s the Best AI Model Right Now?

If AI models had an Olympics, LM Arena just released the medal table.

But rankings aren’t everything. I came across a deep dive by The Neuron, which broke down how today’s top API models stack up — not just on public leaderboards, but also on Artificial Analysis’ Intelligence Index.

Spoiler: it’s not a one-model show.

Let’s break it down like humans, not benchmarks.

How Do You Even Measure an AI Model?

Each model is tested on how well it handles:

• Text: Writing and answering prompts
• Math: Solving logic and equations
• Coding: Generating real, usable code
• Vision: Interpreting and describing images
• Search: Finding grounded, relevant info
• Image Gen & Edit: Creating or modifying visuals

Benchmarking tools like LM Arena and Artificial Analysis run these tests, then score the models. But here’s the twist… just because a model ranks highest doesn’t mean it’s the best for your workflow.

So... Does It Really Matter Who’s #1?

Not really. Unless you’re building research tools or automating complex processes, it’s not worth obsessing over rankings.

If you’re a creator, it’s like comparing megapixels on cameras when you’re just trying to film a decent Instagram Reel. The better question is: what are you using it for?

If you’re writing blog posts or lesson plans, you won’t notice the gap between top-ranked models. But if you’re summarizing long-form content or deploying agents, those differences start to matter.

Here’s a simple guide:

• Writing and summaries: ChatGPT-4o or Gemini 2.5 Pro
• Visuals and image editing: GPT Image 1
• Best value: DeepSeek R1 delivers 93% of Grok’s intelligence for a fraction of the cost

My Take for Creators

If you’re a content creator, educator, or solo builder, these are the models to watch:

Gemini 2.5 Pro: A reliable all-rounder for text, code, and visuals
DeepSeek R1: Budget-friendly with surprisingly strong output
GPT Image 1: Great for AI image generation and editing
Grok 4: The smartest model on the charts, though it comes at a premium

So don’t stress over leaderboards. Pick the one that matches your creative flow, not the one that aced math class.

Use what helps you CREATE, not what helps you compare.

The Final Byte

There’s no universal “best” AI model. The right one depends on your goals. Whether you’re scripting videos, designing course content, or batching newsletter drafts, use the model that helps you create with less friction and more focus.

Benchmarks are helpful. But they won’t build your brand.

YOU will.

See you in the next one,

BYTE-SIZED BUZZ

Here’s a quick roundup of what’s making waves in the AI world this week.

📉 Google AI Overviews Slash Web Clicks
A Pew study reveals Google's AI Overviews drop link clicks from 15% to 8%, with only 1% clicking source links in AI answers. Publishers are fighting back with antitrust complaints and new tech defenses.

The Big Deal: As AI turns search into answers, websites could lose visibility and revenue—making it harder for creators to get discovered.

📻 Amazon Buys Bee, an AI-Powered Bracelet
Amazon acquired Bee, a wearable startup with a bracelet that listens, transcribes, and summarizes conversations. All employees will join Amazon as the tech gets folded into their consumer AI lineup.

The Big Deal: With Amazon’s privacy record, creators and consumers alike should be wary of what “always listening” really means.

🎵 AI Revives Dead Musicians—Without Permission
Spotify had to remove AI-generated songs attributed to deceased artists like Blaze Foley and Guy Clark. These tracks used TikTok's SoundOn to sneak onto official pages undetected.

The Big Deal: Platforms are playing catch-up as AI tools enable synthetic music from the dead—blurring the lines of legacy, consent, and creative ownership.

🔍 Perplexity’s Browser Aims to Replace Chrome
Perplexity is in talks with phone makers to pre-install its AI-powered browser, Comet. It summarizes pages, schedules meetings, and answers personal queries using local data.

The Big Deal: If Perplexity lands on phones, it could become the go-to search experience—especially for creators juggling research, calendars, and content.

🇺🇸 America’s AI Plan: Full Speed Ahead
The Trump administration dropped a 90-point AI Action Plan to dominate global AI. It includes deregulation, power grid upgrades, military adoption, and open-source support.

The Big Deal: This roadmap may supercharge U.S. innovation—but critics warn it prioritizes tech giants over public safeguards.

WEEKLY CREATOR LOADOUT 🐾

  • Dumme – Turn long videos into short-form clips with zero editing, perfect for TikTok, Reels, and Shorts.

  • Jema.ai – A Notion-style AI writing workspace for brainstorming, drafting, and polishing content in one place.

  • Checklist Genie – Create shareable checklists with just your voice, ideal for planning content, launches, or lessons.

  • Meco – Keep your inbox organized by filtering and reading newsletters distraction-free with AI assistance.

  • Supernormal – Automatically writes meeting notes while you talk. Captures key points, tasks, and summaries in real time.

  • GEN – Build AI-powered characters that grow social media audiences through automated, persona-driven content.

  • Pulse – Create and publish Wikipedia-style articles on any topic, powered by AI for fast and evergreen content.

THE GUIDEBOOK

New to AI tools?

Check out past tutorials, tool reviews, and creator workflows—all curated to help you get started faster (and smarter).

SUGGESTION BOX

What'd you think of this email?

You can add more feedback after choosing an option 👇🏽

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

BEFORE YOU GO

I hope you found value in today’s read. If you enjoy the content and want to support me, consider checking out today’s sponsor or buy me a coffee. It helps me keep creating great content for you.

New to AI?
Kickstart your journey with…

ICYMI

Check out my previous posts here