There's been 🤯 changes to frontier AI models over the last 7 weeks. New models, new capabilities, and increasing feature parity across the board. The Q2 AI Models for SMBs Comparison Chart is now available!
Here's the headlines of what's changed.
🖼️ Visual Revolution
Gemini and ChatGPT have dramatically improved at generating and refining images using plain language commands. The six-finger problem? Nearly solved. Text in images? Vastly better. And most leading models now offer real-time camera vision through your phone.
🔄 Features Converging
Within weeks, both ChatGPT and Claude gained Google Drive connectivity. Nearly all reasoning models now search the web, and most offer “canvas” or “artifact” capabilities, features inconsistently available across models just 2 months ago. The product architecture the models sit on top of is maturing, rapidly; generative AI is getting less frustrating to use.
🚀 Model Explosion
In just 7 weeks, frontier AI labs have retired 7 models while launching 8 new ones. OpenAI alone deprecated 3 models with another on the chopping block, while introducing 3 new ones. Google completely refreshed its lineup with 4 new Gemini models, and Meta transitioned to Llama 4. Model shelf life is also decreasing; o3-mini from OpenAI was available for barely two months.
📈30 Use Cases
The second tab of the Chart has expanded even further, now providing my recommended AI model or tool for thirty business uses ranging from forecasting cash flows to crafting marketing collateral.
Want a copy? Comment "CHART!" below and I'll send a link. Or subscribe via "View my newsletter" above and you’ll get it immediately; subscribers got the updated Chart last Thursday 🙂.
What AI capabilities would make the biggest difference for your business? Let me know in the comments!
Who knows, maybe the frontier labs are listening 🤞.
Publisher of AI for SMBs Weekly and founder of MQC, helping SMBs innovate with tech. Former SVP at Newlab and partner at IDEO. Board member at Northern Illinois Food Bank and 1848 Ventures.