Some AI Tools I Use All The Time
Spam Disclaimer: If you’ve read my latest LinkedIn post, ignore this Substack article. They’re the same.
Here's a Whatsapp DM I sent to a friend recently. Listed in an ascending order of how popular I think they are.
1. Note Taking: Granola excels at meeting notes, with customizable summaries and chat-based transcript search. Reliable—no hallucinations so far. I’ve used it for Mock Interviews and User Research.
2. Web Browsing: The Browser Company’s Dia offers standout UX and AI features, like Command + E to chat across multiple tabs. I use ChatGPT and Perplexity more for AI, but Dia’s interface is top-notch. I just opened a chat to clean this language without leaving the tab. Neat. If you have an .edu email, you can probably use it. Perplexity’s Comet is next on my list.
3. Design & Prototyping: bolt.new is invaluable for prototyping, especially if you know some CSS or Figma. The syntax overlaps more than you’d think, making it easy to specify changes.
4. Project Documents and Deliverable Creation: Perplexity Labs can generate Excel files and models from good instructions. I recently built a TCO model for tech infrastructure—Perplexity found usage rates, license prices, and generated formulas and explanations. Named cells need work, though.
5. Search and Secondary Research: Perplexity is best for broad internet searches—far surpasses ChatGPT. Also includes specialized tools for shopping, finance, and research.
6. Brainstorming: CustomGPTs on ChatGPT let you upload project data and set detailed instructions. Great for brainstorming with a tailored AI assistant.
I’m still hoping to try Claude Code (but $100/month is steep). If anyone has a free trial, let me know—I promise not to spam your feed with influencer content.
I’m shifting my Substack to focus on AI, drawing from two years of hands-on AI immersion during my master’s in Human Computer Interaction at the University of Washington. Expect learnings, experiments, practical instructions — all with a UX and Product Management perspective.