AI Tools I Can’t Live Without
In the vast digital expanse, AI tools have become my arsenal. Since their ascent into accessibility early last year, I’ve dabbled and dallied with a plethora of free and paid alike. And yes, I unabashedly admit to shelling out over $100 a month on these digital magicians. Why?
Because they’ve supercharged my productivity by a factor of ten. Here’s the crème de la crème that I can’t function without.
Writing: The Dual Swords — ChatGPT and Claude.ai
Enter the arena, ChatGPT and Claude.ai, my dual swords in the battle of words.
ChatGPT, especially in its premium avatar, is like the Swiss Army knife of writing tools — emails, essays, reports, you name it.
Its GPTs function is a game-changer, allowing me to mold it into a personal writing agent sans any coding hassle. The GPTs function is a feature that allows users to create and customize their own AI models for specific tasks without needing to code, enabling a personalized approach to generating content, automating responses, and streamlining workflows. It’s like having a bespoke assistant, tailored to meet your unique requirements and preferences, making your interaction with AI not just productive, but also highly personalized. From condensing articles into tweets, and crafting stylistic emails, to generating abstracts and business arguments, it’s got my back.
And for when I need prose that flows like a natural stream, Claude.ai steps in with its uncanny knack for fluidity, albeit ChatGPT can sometimes sound like it’s cranking gears.
For those watching their wallets, Gemini by Google emerges as a worthy contender, offering solid performance without the price tag.
Meeting: Mastering Multipresence with Otter.ai
How do I clone myself across multiple meetings?
Otter.ai is my secret. This tool is like having an invisible assistant, stealthily attending meetings to transcribe them in real time. It’s a game-changer, allowing me to hop between engagements with just a glance at crisp, real-time notes. And it’s not just for virtual meetups; turn it on anywhere, and it listens, transcribes, and even lets you interact with the transcription.
The future is here, and it’s spelled O-T-T-E-R.
For those in search of alternatives, Fireflies.ai and fathom.ai stand out, offering commendable services in the realm of meeting transcription.
Photo Generation: Crafting Visuals with DALL·E and Ideogram.ai
DALL·E, part of the ChatGPT+ package, is like a wizard in my toolkit, conjuring images from the ether of imagination. Need a visual for a blog post, a quirky illustration, or a cover for your upcoming ebook?
DALL·E is your go-to. Some prefer a more advanced tool like Midjourney, but for me, I think it’s not worth $20/month unless your job relies on the most professionally looking AI-generated images possible. To that, I’d say Midjournet is the best tool around.
On the other hand, Ideogram.ai dazzles with its ability to generate custom icons and graphics, adding that personal touch to any project. Together, they ensure my visual content is always fresh, original, and engaging.
Presentation: Elevating Stories with Gamma.app and Tome.app
Presentations are no longer a snooze fest thanks to gamma.app and Tome.app. These platforms have revolutionized the way I create and deliver presentations. They’re not just tools; they’re my co-creators, enabling me to weave stories that captivate and convey with power and precision. Whether it’s a pitch, a report, or a storytelling session, these apps ensure my presentations are anything but ordinary.
Everything Graphic
Canva features revolutionize graphic design, offering users an intuitive and accessible platform to create professional-quality visuals. With AI-driven ‘Magic Studio’ design suggestions, automatic resizing for different platforms, and smart image editing tools, Canva simplifies the design process, making it possible for anyone to produce stunning graphics, presentations, and social media content without needing extensive design skills.
This democratization of design empowers users to bring their creative visions to life with efficiency and flair, making Canva an essential tool for businesses, educators, and creatives alike.
Grammar: Fix Everything
Consider the infamous typo in a job application email: “I’m attention to detail.” This mistake, intending to highlight meticulousness, ironically showcases the opposite — a lack of attention to detail. Such a minor slip can cast a shadow on the applicant’s credibility, potentially costing them a job opportunity in a competitive market where first impressions are critical. This example underscores how a small grammatical error can have disproportionate consequences, altering the course of one’s professional journey.
Grammarly is an AI-powered writing assistant that goes beyond mere spell-checking to offer comprehensive suggestions on grammar, punctuation, style, and even tone, effectively serving as an ever-vigilant editor. It helps refine your writing, ensuring clarity, correctness, and impact, whether you’re drafting an email, a report, or a social media post, making it an indispensable tool for anyone looking to elevate their writing.
Research: Perplexity.ai, My New Oracle
Goodbye, Google. Hello, Perplexity.ai.
This tool has completely replaced my need for traditional search engines. It’s like having a conversation with the internet, where I get not just information, but insights, context, and understanding. Perplexity.ai has turned research from a chore into a journey of discovery, making me wonder how I ever managed without it.
