I was reading a New York Times article recently where they asked eight different AI experts—scientists and researchers—where they thought the technology would be in five years. They disagreed on a lot, but they all agreed on one specific area that is about to get disrupted: Education.
We usually think about this in terms of high schoolers trying to cheat on essays. But the impact is actually much bigger for the professional world. If you are learning for your job or just upskilling because you are interested, AI is an incredible tool.
I wanted to put this to the test. Instead of just reading about it, I ran a real-world experiment using a dense McKinsey report on “Super Agency” from January 2025. I walked through how three major tools—ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and NotebookLM—handle complex data to help you learn faster.
Here is how the experiment went.
The Setup: The “Textbook”
For this test, I used the McKinsey report as my source material. You could do this with anything. Maybe it’s a PWC annual survey, a new tax directive, or a chapter from a textbook.
The goal isn’t to have the AI just summarize it. The goal is to replicate the experience of taking a class or having a tutor guide you through the material.
Tool 1: ChatGPT (Study and Learn)
I started by uploading the PDF directly into ChatGPT. Under the “+” option, I selected “Study and Learn.”
I didn’t just ask for a summary. I used a prompt like: “Help me understand this McKinsey report.”
The Experience:
- Processing: I used the “Extended Thinking” mode. It took a minute to read the document and formulate a plan, but the depth was worth the wait.
- Output: It provided an orientation and key takeaways immediately.
- Interaction: The best part about ChatGPT is the back-and-forth. It acts like a professor. After giving me the basics on “Super Agency,” it asked me secondary questions to check my understanding.
- Drill Down: I told it, “I am leading an AI rollout based on this report. What should I do?” It immediately pivoted from theory to practice, giving me a rollout plan and specific levers to manage.
Tool 2: Google Gemini (Guided Learning)
Next, I uploaded the exact same file into Gemini and selected “Guided Learning.”
The Experience:
- Speed: Gemini was significantly faster than ChatGPT in this specific test.
- Data Extraction: It immediately pulled out specific archetypes and percentages from the report. It is very good at grabbing hard data quickly.
- Structure: I asked it to explain the technology and data sections. It broke the complex topics down into a structured guide. It felt less like a conversation and more like a structured lesson plan.
Tool 3: NotebookLM (The Deep Dive)
If you have a lot of data, this is the tool to use. I have used this before where I uploaded 80 different sources to research bird migration patterns. For this test, I stuck to the report.
The Experience:
- Multimedia Learning: NotebookLM can take your text file and turn it into an “Audio Overview,” which is essentially a podcast. You can listen to the report while you drive.
- Test Prep: I asked it to generate a quiz. It instantly created 10 multiple-choice questions based on the text.
- Flashcards: It generated 55 flashcards defining concepts like “Super Agency.” If you are studying for a certification, this feature alone saves hours of manual work.
The Critical Rule: Read It Yourself
I cannot stress this enough: You still need to read the material.
AI is a learning partner, not a replacement for your own brain. If you upload a file and just read the summary, you aren’t learning; you’re skimming. I read the McKinsey report first. That allowed me to fact-check the AI and ask better questions like, “The OECD survey said X, but this report says Y. Can you reconcile that?”
If you don’t know the source material, you won’t know when the AI is hallucinating.
Key Takeaways
- ChatGPT is for Conversation: Use the “Study and Learn” feature if you want a back-and-forth dialogue to deepen your understanding.
- Gemini is for Structure: Use “Guided Learning” if you want to quickly extract data points and get a structured breakdown of a topic.
- NotebookLM is for Volume: If you have 50 documents, upload them here. Use the quiz and flashcard features to test your retention.
- Context is King: Always upload the primary source (PDFs, filings) rather than just asking the AI general questions. The output is only as good as the data you feed it.
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