Choosing an AI Model to Use

This guide helps you pick the right AI model by explaining how to open the model switcher, interpret icons (capabilities, cost, token limits, privacy), and understand changing availability and usage limits. It warns that price doesn't equal quality and recommends matching models to tasks and comparing outputs for important work. It also explains daily and 30-day usage caps and how advanced access may be granted for heavier needs.

Kirstie Knighton
4 steps
16 seconds

Cr8

Select the **model name** in the center card to open the model switcher.

The available models list can change as CR8 and Mercer add, remove, or rename models. **Do not assume the most expensive model is always the best choice.** Match the model to the task and compare results for important work.

The models below are resource-efficient options in the companion model guide. Availability can change; check the model selector for your current choices.

**Legend for the symbols below:** - **Camera:** supports images in prompts. This describes image understanding and does not guarantee image generation. - **Video Camera:** supports video in prompts - **Green $:** inexpensive relative usage cost - **Gold $**: moderate relative usage cost - **Red $:** expensive relative usage cost. Users are not personally billed, but selection of this model can shorten the number of prompts a user can make based on their usage model. - **Three long lines:** large output token limit: at least 100,000 tokens. - **Three medium lines:** Average output token limit: 4,096 to 100,000 tokens. - **Three short lines:** Below-average output token limit: fewer than 4,096 tokens. - **Cloud with slash:** The conversation is private and accessible only from the current browser. \*\*Do not assume it will appear in another browser or on another device. Save or export important work. - **Gear:** Open Advanced Conversation Settings. - **Information Circle:** Open the model indicator legend. - **Picture (not shown below):** Supports image generation

**Usage limits** **Daily limits**\ Daily limits operate on a 24-hour usage cycle. The daily limit resets at midnight UTC. If you reach the daily limit, access resumes when the next 24-hour cycle becomes available. **Rolling 30-day limits**\ The system considers usage during the previous 30 days rather than resetting on the first day of each month. If either limit is reached, usage must become available again before you can continue.

#### **About additional models** Most users receive standard access with rate limits. Users whose academic or professional work requires substantially greater or more advanced AI uses may be assigned to an advanced-use group with higher limits, pending justification and funding.

Choosing an AI Model to Use

Kirstie Knighton
4 steps
16 seconds

Cr8

Choosing an AI Model to Use

Select the **model name** in the center card to open the model switcher.

The models below are resource-efficient options in the companion model guide. Availability can change; check the model selector for your current choices.