Most people still aren't using AI, and maybe you're one of them. Perhaps you're a bit older, or you have some misgivings about how AI will be used in the future. This is understandable. Let's ease into it.
What even is AI?
Artificial Intelligence is a broad category of concepts, including any instance where machines replicate actions that require human intelligence. It often refers to large language models like ChatGPT or Gemini. These models work by studying existing data and extrapolating this information into new situations.
Instead of a Frankenstein monster roaring to life, imagine a robot that is looking at a series of cue cards. Each cue card has written on it a variation of 'if this, do this'. There are so many cards in the stack that it is easy to misinterpret what is happening, but at each step, the robot doesn't act without a good reason.
Why should I use AI?
You don't need to. I'm assuming that there will always be a variety of jobs that will not require AI. I'm also expecting that some part of the population will always resist using AI, and that they will create a sub-economy of products that do not use AI in the development process.
I'm also assuming that, in purely monetary terms, these people are shooting themselves in the foot.
Competition is a necessary element of survival. If you can incorporate even one AI product into your professional career, you will be so much better prepared.
1. Google Gemini
The first AI tool anyone needs is the standard large language model. This is likely to be your primary app, based on your workflow.
Gemini is a Swiss army knife that can process information from multiple sources. For people unfamiliar with the capabilities of AI, the example I like to give is the time I purchased a truck bed cover. I took a picture of the instructions for the cover, and another picture of the track installed on the left side, stuck in place with stripped screws. I asked the assistant if I needed to remove the track to install the cover, and if so, step-by-step instructions for removal.
I'm recommending Gemini over the competition for two reasons.
The first is that I know the trajectory that Gemini is on. The app has ambitious plans for the near future. Even if it doesn't stay a popular option, I'm positive that the power of the output and breadth of options eliminates the need to use another LLM.
The second reason is that I have the most familiarity with Gemini. You could see this as a sunk cost fallacy, but I believe that understanding the abilities and limitations of one LLM is a better use of time than switching between them for marginal advantages. (If you have more experience with ChatGPT or Claude, you probably don't have much reason to switch. This review is better suited to those with limited AI experience.)
2. Grammarly
The second tool is far more boring, but you have a professional obligation to avoid misspellings and awkward grammar. Unless, y'know, it's intentional.
This app makes my list because the free version isn't too aggressive with selling you on the paid version. If you merely need a double-check on your copy, this does the job.
A few times, I have had the app delete text when used with certain web forms. I got around this by typing in Notepad before exporting text. This is an annoying problem, but I'm guessing it's difficult to troubleshoot.
At the moment, 'check my tone' is the only feature that counts as AI. If you are working a job where you are restricted from using AI tools, you should be fine if you turn this off. (This is the only app I used to write this article.)
3. AIVA
The most impressive AI music app out there right now is, well, Suno. It's one of those 'AI can do that?' apps. Go check it out for a minute, and come right back.
Once the novelty wears off, it becomes less clear what the problem is that Suno is trying to solve. It's a good time-killer if you're bored.
If you're a podcaster or YouTube creator, you're more likely to want some simple background music that isn't crammed with AI-generated lyrics. If you're getting into music production, you want to supply your own vocals over a full song, or add a drum loop, or you just want the basic hook and chord progression to build a song around.
The customization options are excellent. I prefer the step-by-step method. You start by selecting a genre, then key signature, duration, and number of compositions. This is enough to create a track, but you can do some further editing from here. You can add or remove voices, reverb, filters. Each individuated note can be altered. You can easily lose a few hours playing with the app, which makes this a dangerous recommendation.
Note that you'll need to upgrade to the paid version to monetize the tracks. But if you always wanted to get into music production, and had an irrational fear that you would get sued for accidentally using a copyrighted riff, this might be the muse you need to get rolling.
4. Hatchful Logo Maker
I'll keep this brief.
You need a logo. You want to use it for free. You don't want to spend all day creating it.
Load up Hatchful, grab it, and go.
I updated the logo on this website in under five minutes.
5. flowgpt.com
Unless you need a specialized tool for something like research or advanced graphics, you already have everything you need to get rolling. Shutting out distractions is central to productivity, and creativity thrives on limitations.
You don't need to check out this website.
With that preamble out of the way, you can't really compete in the AI space unless you have an idea of what other people are up to. So far, this is the best window into that world that I've found.
The site is dominated by images; videos and custom characters. However, the AI tools and productivity sections are an excellent crash course in what others are currently doing with AI.
I didn't scratch the surface.
AI is currently used to keep self-driving cars on track, diagnose illnesses, improve energy efficiency and detect money laundering. In the future, it could be used to design underwater cities or plan asteroid mining. The potential uses are infinite.
So with that in mind, I don't know how you can best put the technology to use. It depends on who you are, and what problems you are trying to solve. Are you trying to detect illicit items at airplane security? Fluctuations in the stock market? You have to decide for yourself how the tech can best be used.
There is no better time to start.
What even is AI?
Artificial Intelligence is a broad category of concepts, including any instance where machines replicate actions that require human intelligence. It often refers to large language models like ChatGPT or Gemini. These models work by studying existing data and extrapolating this information into new situations.
Instead of a Frankenstein monster roaring to life, imagine a robot that is looking at a series of cue cards. Each cue card has written on it a variation of 'if this, do this'. There are so many cards in the stack that it is easy to misinterpret what is happening, but at each step, the robot doesn't act without a good reason.
Why should I use AI?
You don't need to. I'm assuming that there will always be a variety of jobs that will not require AI. I'm also expecting that some part of the population will always resist using AI, and that they will create a sub-economy of products that do not use AI in the development process.
I'm also assuming that, in purely monetary terms, these people are shooting themselves in the foot.
Competition is a necessary element of survival. If you can incorporate even one AI product into your professional career, you will be so much better prepared.
1. Google Gemini
The first AI tool anyone needs is the standard large language model. This is likely to be your primary app, based on your workflow.
Gemini is a Swiss army knife that can process information from multiple sources. For people unfamiliar with the capabilities of AI, the example I like to give is the time I purchased a truck bed cover. I took a picture of the instructions for the cover, and another picture of the track installed on the left side, stuck in place with stripped screws. I asked the assistant if I needed to remove the track to install the cover, and if so, step-by-step instructions for removal.
I'm recommending Gemini over the competition for two reasons.
The first is that I know the trajectory that Gemini is on. The app has ambitious plans for the near future. Even if it doesn't stay a popular option, I'm positive that the power of the output and breadth of options eliminates the need to use another LLM.
The second reason is that I have the most familiarity with Gemini. You could see this as a sunk cost fallacy, but I believe that understanding the abilities and limitations of one LLM is a better use of time than switching between them for marginal advantages. (If you have more experience with ChatGPT or Claude, you probably don't have much reason to switch. This review is better suited to those with limited AI experience.)
2. Grammarly
The second tool is far more boring, but you have a professional obligation to avoid misspellings and awkward grammar. Unless, y'know, it's intentional.
This app makes my list because the free version isn't too aggressive with selling you on the paid version. If you merely need a double-check on your copy, this does the job.
A few times, I have had the app delete text when used with certain web forms. I got around this by typing in Notepad before exporting text. This is an annoying problem, but I'm guessing it's difficult to troubleshoot.
At the moment, 'check my tone' is the only feature that counts as AI. If you are working a job where you are restricted from using AI tools, you should be fine if you turn this off. (This is the only app I used to write this article.)
3. AIVA
The most impressive AI music app out there right now is, well, Suno. It's one of those 'AI can do that?' apps. Go check it out for a minute, and come right back.
Once the novelty wears off, it becomes less clear what the problem is that Suno is trying to solve. It's a good time-killer if you're bored.
If you're a podcaster or YouTube creator, you're more likely to want some simple background music that isn't crammed with AI-generated lyrics. If you're getting into music production, you want to supply your own vocals over a full song, or add a drum loop, or you just want the basic hook and chord progression to build a song around.
The customization options are excellent. I prefer the step-by-step method. You start by selecting a genre, then key signature, duration, and number of compositions. This is enough to create a track, but you can do some further editing from here. You can add or remove voices, reverb, filters. Each individuated note can be altered. You can easily lose a few hours playing with the app, which makes this a dangerous recommendation.
Note that you'll need to upgrade to the paid version to monetize the tracks. But if you always wanted to get into music production, and had an irrational fear that you would get sued for accidentally using a copyrighted riff, this might be the muse you need to get rolling.
4. Hatchful Logo Maker
I'll keep this brief.
You need a logo. You want to use it for free. You don't want to spend all day creating it.
Load up Hatchful, grab it, and go.
I updated the logo on this website in under five minutes.
5. flowgpt.com
Unless you need a specialized tool for something like research or advanced graphics, you already have everything you need to get rolling. Shutting out distractions is central to productivity, and creativity thrives on limitations.
You don't need to check out this website.
With that preamble out of the way, you can't really compete in the AI space unless you have an idea of what other people are up to. So far, this is the best window into that world that I've found.
The site is dominated by images; videos and custom characters. However, the AI tools and productivity sections are an excellent crash course in what others are currently doing with AI.
I didn't scratch the surface.
AI is currently used to keep self-driving cars on track, diagnose illnesses, improve energy efficiency and detect money laundering. In the future, it could be used to design underwater cities or plan asteroid mining. The potential uses are infinite.
So with that in mind, I don't know how you can best put the technology to use. It depends on who you are, and what problems you are trying to solve. Are you trying to detect illicit items at airplane security? Fluctuations in the stock market? You have to decide for yourself how the tech can best be used.
There is no better time to start.
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