Side Hustle Ideas

Understanding data collection methods for AI platforms

Let's clear up one big misconception right away: there is no "ChatGPT API."

What we do have are APIs for specific models such as GPT-5 or GPT-5.1-mini. These are the brains behind ChatGPT—but they are not ChatGPT itself.

The same goes for Perplexity. There's no "Perplexity API" that behaves exactly like the web interface.

You only get access to underlying models like Sonar, Sonar Pro, or Sonar Reasoning.

OpenAI API vs. ChatGPT: What's the difference?

Think of the API as the raw model.

Think of ChatGPT as the raw model plus:

• special instructions (system prompts),
• extra data feeds,
• browsing capabilities,
• memory features,
• file upload and analysis tools.

When you use the API directly, you're working with the foundation—powerful, but requiring more setup to match the full ChatGPT experience.

Key takeaways for AI agents

Understanding this distinction is crucial when building AI agents:

• Direct API access gives you more control over prompts and responses
• ChatGPT-like features require additional engineering
• Cost optimization is easier with raw API calls
• Custom workflows become possible when you understand the layers

This is why platforms like Agent X exist—they bridge the gap between raw AI capabilities and practical business automation.