Let me say it straight:
There are too many AI tools out there. Every week, someone drops a new “smart assistant” or “productivity booster.” And most of them? They don’t help.
I’ve tried a bunch. Some are okay. A few are solid. But most just waste time.
So what makes an AI tool actually useful?
1. It solves a real problem
Not a made-up one.
Not “imagine if your calendar could talk to your fridge.”
I mean something you deal with every day.
Like:
- You spend too much time writing emails → AI can help you draft faster.
- You forget what you wrote last week → AI can summarize your notes.
- You struggle to explain things clearly → AI can simplify your words.
If it doesn’t fix something real, it’s just noise.
2. It works without babysitting
Some tools need constant setup.
You have to train them, tweak them, fix their mistakes.
That’s not helpful. That’s a second job.
A good AI tool should:
- Understand what you mean
- Match your tone
- Improve over time without you doing much
If it needs a manual, it’s not smart.
3. It respects your time
I’ve seen tools that take longer to set up than the task itself.
That’s not productivity. That’s distraction.
The best ones:
- Load fast
- Have clean design
- Don’t push upgrades every five minutes
They let you work. That’s the point.
What I actually use
I’m not selling anything. Just sharing what works for me:
- Notion AI → helps me clean up messy notes and brainstorm
- Perplexity → gives fast answers with sources
- ChatGPT (custom GPTs) → checks my writing, structure, and tone
These tools don’t pretend to be magic. They just help.
Final thought
AI isn’t a miracle.
It’s a tool. Like a pen or a keyboard.
If it fits, use it. If it doesn’t, skip it.
Don’t chase hype.
Use what helps you think better, write clearer, and work smarter.
