
Should you’ve been turning to ChatGPT to jot down your Arduino code, you may very well be lacking out on a instrument designed only for you: the Arduino AI Assistant, constructed instantly into Arduino Cloud.
Whereas general-purpose AIs like ChatGPT can generate code, they typically miss vital particulars, equivalent to utilizing the unsuitable libraries or including pointless complexity. The Arduino AI Assistant, alternatively, is skilled on Arduino’s personal documentation and libraries and has context concerning the consumer’s work and the {hardware} used, so it speaks the identical language as your boards, sensors, and tasks.
To place this to the check, we ran a side-by-side comparability. We put the Arduino AI Assistant, constructed proper into Arduino Cloud, up in opposition to two variations of ChatGPT: the Free mannequin and the premium “ChatGPT 5-Pondering.”
Arduino AI Assistant vs. ChatGPT: The check
We gave all three AIs the identical check:
“Write a sketch for Nano ESP32 that connects to Wi-Fi and publishes temperature readings from an exterior HTS221 sensor to an MQTT dealer (check.mosquitto.org) each 5 seconds. Use libraries wherever attainable.”
So why this problem? As a result of it checks real-world coding wants: Wi-Fi connectivity, sensor integration, MQTT communication, all whereas requiring using particular Arduino libraries:
- Wi-Fi: Nano ESP32 core WiFi library
- MQTT: ArduinoMqttClient
- Sensor: Arduino_HTS221
It is a frequent IoT use case and an ideal check to see if every mannequin actually “understands” Arduino.
Analysis methodology
To make sure equity and transparency in evaluating the Arduino AI Assistant with ChatGPT, we adopted the LLM-as-a-Decide method — a technique detailed in latest analysis (A Survey on LLM-as-a-Decide).
We initially developed a big efficiency analysis check suite as a part of constructing the Arduino AI Assistant. This suite contains a variety of sensible queries and situations that mirror what Arduino customers usually ask when engaged on tasks.
Due to the scale of this check suite, we wanted an analysis methodology that was quick, programmatic, and neutral. As a substitute of relying solely on guide human evaluate, we use an LLM “choose” to investigate responses in opposition to clearly outlined standards and decide whether or not they meet the necessities.
For this text, we utilized the identical methodology not solely to the Arduino AI Assistant but in addition to ChatGPT Free and ChatGPT Plus (Pondering). This ensures a degree enjoying area: every instrument was examined in opposition to the identical enter and evaluated by the identical standards.
Right here, we’re sharing one consultant instance from the check suite as an example the analysis course of and the efficiency variations we noticed.
Arduino AI Assistant vs. ChatGPT: The outcomes
ChatGPT Free
ChatGPT Free generated code, but it surely failed to satisfy all necessities.Â
As a substitute of utilizing the right MQTT library, it defaulted to PubSubClient and Adafruit_HTS221, which aren’t the official library for this board. Which means the sketch wouldn’t meet the requirements set for Arduino tasks and will trigger compatibility points.
ChatGPT 5-Pondering
Subsequent is ChatGPT 5-Pondering and the result’s fairly much like ChatGPT Free.Â
You’ll get a code that technically works, but it surely nonetheless ignores the required libraries. On high of that, it provides additional explanations and options that make the sketch extra verbose than vital. It’s nearer to the goal, however not exact sufficient for dependable Arduino use.
Arduino AI Assistant
Lastly, the Arduino AI Assistant.Â
Right here, the distinction is obvious. The Assistant generates a concise sketch, makes use of the precise Arduino libraries we requested for, and is able to add instantly. No debugging, no wasted time. Simply appropriate code, tailor-made to the Nano ESP32 and HTS221 sensor.
Arduino AI Assistant vs. ChatGPT: The winner
In side-by-side comparisons, it’s apparent: the Arduino AI Assistant delivers the precise reply, whereas the opposite fashions miss the mark.

Watch Watch Leonardo Cavagnis, Firmware Engineer at Arduino, offer you a fast overview of the Arduino AI Assistant vs. ChatGPT comparability on this video.
Attempt the Arduino AI Assistant your self
You don’t want to go away your workflow to get this type of help. The Arduino AI Assistant is constructed proper into the Sketch part in Arduino Cloud and it’s free to make use of with 30 interactions/month. You may:
- Generate sketches to your board and sensors
- Repair errors in your code
- Clarify Arduino ideas
- Assist you wire your {hardware} appropriately
- And extra all Arduino-specific