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Method note

Choosing AI tools for real tasks

Ethan Mollick distinguishes chat, hosted agents and desktop agents through examples of knowledge work.

What is reported

A practical starting point for matching the interface and access permissions to a task, including source checking and document work.

Before you use it

This is a July 2026 opinion guide. Model rankings, prices and features may change; examples are the author’s experience, not this site’s tests.

Sources and review

Original source ↗

Source checked · Not tested by this site

The linked text was read for editorial selection. This entry is an original summary, not a reproduction or a product endorsement.

Evidence / source record ↗

License and reuse

Linked reading; no republication license is assumed. Follow the original publisher’s terms.

A license note is not a license audit. Open source does not guarantee free hosting, model access or commercial reuse.

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