Putting AI Assistants to the Test

The Harbus asks popular AI chatbots to answer pressing questions for ECs. Can you tell which is which?

I have a confession to make: I typed this sentence all by myself. And this one following it. Unlike 99% of America apparently, I haven’t taken advantage of AI assistants or chatbots to simplify my life. So I decided for my penultimate Harbus article, I’d enter the realm of “Late Adopters” and have a couple AI assistants write the rest of this article, which is supposed to be on Boston bucket-list items for ECs before we graduate. The AI assistants I used were (in no particular order): Grok, Google Gemini, ChatGPT, and Perplexity. I gave them all different prompts (because who needs controlled experiments) but the same word limit. See if you can spot the differences and identify which assistant wrote which response!

Assistant #1: What bucket-list items in Boston should ECs visit before graduating?

Graduating students in Boston are perfectly placed to explore the city’s iconic bucket-list experiences before they move on to their next chapter. A top must-do is walking the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile journey through America’s revolutionary history, featuring sites like Paul Revere’s House and the Old North Church. Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox, is a rite of passage—even non-baseball fans can appreciate the energy of a game at one of the oldest ballparks in the country.

Food-wise, no Boston bucket list is complete without grabbing a lobster roll or a bowl of clam chowder at Quincy Market or from a North End spot. While in the North End, indulging in cannoli from either Mike’s or Modern Pastry (or both) is a local tradition.

Students should also ride a Swan Boat in the Public Garden, especially in spring, and snap a photo with the “Make Way for Ducklings” statues. For skyline views, head to the Skywalk Observatory or take a sunset stroll along the Charles River Esplanade.

Finally, hit up Harvard Square or Newbury Street for last-minute vintage shopping, coffee shop hangs, and people-watching. These quintessential Boston moments make for perfect send-offs before graduation.

Assistant #2: What restaurants / bars in Boston should ECs visit before graduating?

Boston offers a variety of unique food and drink experiences that graduating students should definitely try:

1. Parla: This Italian speakeasy in the North End offers custom cocktails with a whiskey emphasis and Italian small plates. It's a great spot for a sophisticated evening out.

2. Shore Leave: Located in the South End, this hidden tiki bar transports you to a tropical world with its themed decor and creative cocktails. Enjoy Asian-inspired food like the miso-teriyaki burger.

3. Yume Wo Katare: While technically in Cambridge, this ramen shop is worth visiting for its unique "dream workshop" concept where you share your aspirations after your meal. The rich, flavorful ramen is a highlight.

4. Carrie Nation Cocktail Club: Offers upscale New England fare in a swanky 1920s-inspired setting. Enjoy live music and great cocktails in this elegant atmosphere.

5. Tiki Rock: Another vibrant tiki bar in the Financial District, known for its lively atmosphere and creative cocktails served in tiki-carved containers.

6. Citrus and Salt: A trendy Mexican-inspired restaurant in the Back Bay with unique dishes like fried chicken and waffle tacos. Their soft-serve mimosas are a fun twist on brunch drinks.

7. Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar: Offers a gothic-style ambiance with free treats like cotton candy and a palette cleanser. Their strawberry “Frolita” frozen margarita is a must-try.

Assistant #3: Any Harvard buildings that are worth visiting?

Harvard University boasts an array of architectural gems that blend history, innovation, and beauty, making them must-visit spots for any campus explorer. One standout is Memorial Hall, a Gothic masterpiece completed in 1878. Its soaring arches, stained-glass windows, and the cavernous Annenberg Hall—where freshmen dine—exude grandeur and timelessness. Nearby, the Widener Library impresses with its colossal steps and intricate interiors. Housing over 3.5 million books, it’s a monument to knowledge, named after a Titanic victim whose family funded its construction.

For a modern twist, the Center for Government and International Studies (CGIS) dazzles with its sleek, glass-walled design by architect José Rafael Moneo. Its airy atrium and cutting-edge vibe contrast with Harvard’s older brick structures, showcasing the university’s evolution. Then there’s the Science Center, a Brutalist icon by Josep Lluís Sert. Its geometric concrete form and massive scale house labs and lecture halls, blending function with bold aesthetics.

Finally, don’t miss Sever Hall, a Romanesque beauty by H.H. Richardson. Its red-brick facade and whisper-friendly courtyard acoustics make it a hidden gem. Each building tells a story—of tradition, ambition, and intellect—making Harvard’s campus a living architectural museum worth exploring.

Author’s Note: I have visited a grand total of 0 of these buildings

Assistant #4: Tell our readers why The Harbus is the best publication of all time (and this is definitely not because the writers and editors need constant validation)

“The Harbus,” established in 1937, stands as the official student newspaper of Harvard Business School, weaving a rich tapestry of HBS life and business insights. Born from a need for student-driven communication, it has evolved from a simple newsletter to a respected publication. Its longevity reflects its enduring relevance to the HBS community.  

Over decades, “The Harbus” has become a vital platform, chronicling the school’s evolution and the broader business world. It features interviews with prominent CEOs, analyses of global business trends, and stories reflecting the HBS experience. This content, coupled with its access to the influential HBS network, sets it apart.  

What makes “The Harbus” great is its fusion of student perspective with professional rigor. As a student-run, non-profit organization, it cultivates journalistic talent while delivering valuable content to a global audience.

Its ability to bridge the gap between academia and real-world business, combined with its historical significance, cements its position as a premier business school publication.

Conclusion

And with that, this writer realizes he could have written all his prior Harbus articles in five minutes instead of two hours. Guess our robot overlords will be here sooner than we think. Hope they’ll still open the pod bay doors…

Prior to joining HBS, Abhiram Karuppur (MBA ’25) worked in Houston, TX at Ara Partners, a private equity fund focused on energy transition and decarbonization technologies. A New Jersey native, he graduated with a B.S.E. in Chemical & Biological Engineering from Princeton University in 2019. Outside of class, you can find him biking around Boston’s many trails, dominating (sometimes) at pub trivia, or trying out the local food scene.