Innovative educators know that unless you’re a designer or scripting wizard, building a presentation from scratch can be tedious, time-consuming, and uninspired. We deserve better. With AI at our fingertips, “blank slide syndrome” should be a thing of the past.
To put that belief to the test, I asked my edtech community on social media a simple question: Shouldn’t AI be able to turn a professional learning agenda into a polished presentation?
The responses were mixed. Some believed the right prompt could deliver. Others said the tech just wasn’t there yet. I wasn’t convinced. There had to be a smarter way.
A few colleagues suggested presentation-specific AI tools. So I tested them all.
What followed was a side-by-side comparison of the big three general AIs and three tools built for slides. Each one was given the same task: eliminate the need to start from scratch and actually save educators time.
The Process
A core part of my work is helping others leverage technology effectively. That means identifying the right tools, designing an agenda, and translating it into clear, engaging slides.
But I kept wondering: Why can’t AI handle that last step for me?
I put three general-purpose AI platforms, ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot, to the test with the same prompt: transform my agenda into a presentation.
Each fell short and the platforms even admitted their own limitations when asked.
Next, I turned to three platforms colleagues recommended because they’re built specifically for creating presentations: SlidesAI, BeautifulAI, and Gamma.
One stood out as the clear winner.
How They Compare
The charts below show strengths, limitations, and results so you can see exactly how the three general-purpose platforms and presentation-specific platforms stack up, and why Gamma is different. Sample presentations are also included so you can see for yourself what the outputs look like.
|
Platform |
Strengths |
Limitations |
Result |
|
Great at outlines, talking points, and speaker notes |
Weak on design, requires manual formatting, no design intelligence |
Best for ideation |
|
|
Works in Google Slides, generates text and AI images, seamless for Google users |
Cannot create full decks, design suggestions are basic |
Best for integration |
|
|
Builds full decks from prompts, adds notes and visuals, good for Microsoft users |
Results often generic, layouts rigid, visuals limited |
Best for basics |
Bottom Line
General-Purpose Platforms Fall Short
While general-purpose AI tools can support the planning stage, these won’t get you across the finish line. These are useful for brainstorming and structuring, but still leave you formatting slides, fixing layouts, and wrestling with design. The editing burden remains high.
That’s where presentation-specific platforms come in.
|
Platform |
Strengths |
Limitations |
Result |
|
Converts text to slides fast, integrates with Google Slides |
Limited templates, minimal design polish |
Fast but flat |
|
|
Sleek templates, auto-adjusting layouts, brand consistency |
Rigid structure, less creative flexibility, higher cost |
Polished but constrained |
|
|
Transforms agendas into full, dynamic decks, exports to Google Slides, built for collaboration and storytelling |
Light editing helpful |
Dynamic and presentation-ready |
Bottom Line
The Real Game-Changers: SlidesAI, BeautifulAI, Gamma
Presentation-specific platforms dramatically reduce that burden. SlidesAI is quick but plain. BeautifulAI produces polished decks, but at the cost of flexibility. Gamma goes further, producing polished, story-driven decks that are presentation-ready with only light refinements. That makes it the clear winner.
Stop Starting from Scratch. Choose Gamma.
If you’re tired of formatting slides, dragging elements around, or staring at a blank screen, stop.
Educators deserve tools that eliminate wasted time. Among today’s options, Gamma leads the way and can take you from an agenda to a visually engaging presentation faster than you may be able to create on your own.
Whether you’re leading PD or sharing a vision with your team, presentation-specific platforms such as Gamma help you focus on the message, while AI focuses on the mechanics.