2024 was the 12 months of AI instruments. Hundreds of latest apps launched — some simply photograph mills and gimmicks, others way more helpful. What stood out to me have been the instruments that really helped you get issues completed.
This record comes from a16z’s AI Unwrapped, which largely options shopper apps for private use. I’m calling out a couple of favorites from classes like productiveness, viewers progress, studying, and even constructing your personal instruments. You’ll be able to strive these instruments tomorrow to begin being extra productive.
Whether or not you want a analysis dump on area agriculture, need to clone your self right into a short-form video creator, or simply cease typing all the pieces out by hand, there’s one thing right here value making an attempt. Let’s get into it.
AI Instruments for Productiveness and Viewers Progress — My Prime Picks
1. Move Voice: Arms-Free Productiveness with AI
In the event you’ve ever wished you may speak to your laptop computer as a substitute of typing, Move could be the AI software you’ve been ready for.
Much like Grammarly, Move embeds itself into each utility that you just use. However as a substitute of fixing your grammar, Move helps you to management all of your apps by talking out loud. You’ll be able to write emails, reply to Slack messages, edit Google Docs, and extra — all with out touching a keyboard.
Why Move Is Fascinating
All of us sort manner an excessive amount of. Between emails, Slack, docs, and textual content messages, it provides up. Move is making an attempt to chop out the additional effort by making it doable to speak to your laptop the best way you’d speak to an assistant.
Move is constructed to be built-in into your workflow, which means you possibly can:
- Converse out a full Slack response as a substitute of typing.
- Edit a doc simply by saying what adjustments you need.
- Translate textual content on the fly.
- Management your total workflow with voice instructions.
How Move Works
I examined Move, and right here’s the way it works:
- Maintain down the area bar, communicate your command, and Move transcribes it in actual time.
- Dwell modifying is feasible — simply inform it to delete, rewrite, or change wording.
- You’ll be able to even reply to Slack and e mail hands-free. AI makes positive your messages don’t sound like a robotic mess.
Right here’s a screenshot of Move in motion:
My take: Enhancing by voice is bizarre at first however type of superb when you get used to it. In the event you’re somebody who lives in Slack and e mail, Move is value making an attempt
2. Cubby: AI That Organizes Your Analysis for You
Cubby is a analysis assistant for individuals who hoard info. In the event you’re the type of one that has 50 tabs open always, it is best to strive Cubby. This software makes remembering the place you noticed that one quote, article, or podcast clip easy.
As an alternative of dumping hyperlinks right into a Notion doc or bookmarking belongings you’ll by no means revisit, you possibly can simply drop all the pieces into Cubby. That features PDFs, podcasts, MP3s, MP4s, YouTube movies, social media threads, articles, and information out of your laptop. Then, Cubby can transcribe and set up the knowledge into one thing helpful.
Why Cubby Is Helpful
AI instruments promise to make life simpler, however Cubby solves an actual downside: Analysis is a multitude.
In the event you’ve ever tried to do a deep dive on a subject, you understand how it goes. You begin by studying one article, which hyperlinks to a whitepaper, which references a podcast, which makes you consider a YouTube video somebody really useful, which ends up in one other article. Now, you may have a dozen sources however no construction.
Cubby acts as a central mind for all of your analysis, pulling all the pieces collectively and making it searchable and usable. As an alternative of maintaining observe of tabs and notes, you simply dump all the pieces in and let AI deal with the remaining.
How Cubby Works
- Drag and drop something you’re researching into Cubby.
- Cubby transcribes all the pieces and pulls out the important thing factors.
- You’ll be able to ask it questions concerning the content material as a substitute of manually digging by way of hours of fabric.
My take: Cubby acts as a private analysis assistant, serving to you discover connections between totally different sources with out guide effort.
3. Delphi: AI Clones for Content material Creation
Delphi helps you to create an AI clone of your self that individuals can work together with. As an alternative of regularly answering the identical questions or making an attempt to be in 100 locations without delay, you possibly can practice an AI mannequin in your information. Your viewers can then “speak” to you even while you’re not there.
Why Delphi Is Helpful
Let’s say you’re a content material creator, advisor, or educator. You most likely get a number of the identical questions again and again — learn how to begin a e-newsletter, learn how to develop an viewers, learn how to worth companies.
Usually, you’d should both:
- Reply each query manually (exhausting).
- Create FAQ pages or pre-recorded movies (useful however static).
With Delphi, your AI clone can reply these questions for you in a manner that feels interactive and private. AI pulls from all the pieces you’ve ever mentioned, written, or recorded and responds in a manner that sounds such as you.
In the event you’ve constructed an viewers and other people worth your experience, Delphi helps you to scale that engagement with out being on name 24/7.
How Delphi Works
You practice Delphi in your current content material — articles you’ve written, your podcasts, your movies, and any related recordings. As soon as your AI clone is up and operating, individuals can go to your web page and have a dialog with it.
Delphi’s chatbot is constructed to sound such as you and to offer solutions based mostly in your perspective — not simply generic, AI-generated recommendation.
I examined this out with the AI clone of Brian Halligan, co-founder and govt chairperson at HubSpot. I wished to ask questions on rising to $30M ARR and received some fairly useful responses, together with referral hyperlinks the place I might study extra from Brian.
Delphi is a superb concept for somebody who has a wealth of experience and with little time for one-on-one convos.
That mentioned, this software does elevate a much bigger query: Do individuals really need to speak to an AI model of you? If somebody is on the lookout for a step-by-step course of, they could be advantageous speaking to AI. But when they need actual suggestions, concepts, or emotional connection, they’re most likely nonetheless going to need you, not your clone.
My take: Proper now, Delphi is finest for creators who have already got deep information in a particular area and a group of people who find themselves desperate to entry it.
4. HeyGen: AI-Powered Video Avatars
AI-generated video content material has come a good distance.
Just a few years in the past, most AI avatars appeared stiff and robotic, the type of factor you’d see in a nasty deepfake. However, HeyGen is pushing the boundaries. Individuals may really mistake an AI-generated model of you for the true factor.
HeyGen helps you to clone your self right into a high-quality AI avatar. Your digital self can then give displays and even simply speak to your viewers, with out you stepping in entrance of the digital camera.
To experiment with the software, I cloned myself and delivered a whole course by way of my AI clone.
Why HeyGen Is Fascinating
HeyGen isn’t like these bizarre robotic avatars from a couple of years in the past. The software now has smoother facial actions and higher hand gestures, which suggests the uncanny valley impact is shrinking.
The truth is, some individuals didn’t understand AI was presenting my course. They emailed me afterward, saying I appeared “a bit off” as a result of I used to be maintaining my arms nonetheless — one thing the early HeyGen mannequin required. Nonetheless, even that stage of confusion exhibits how far the tech has come.
In case your content material is only instructional or tutorial, HeyGen is an effective way to create at scale with out having to seem on digital camera each time.
The place HeyGen Might Be Useful
For individuals who must create video content material at scale, HeyGen is definitely a very great tool.
- In the event you run a web-based course, you may use HeyGen to create classes with out filming each single one.
- In the event you report a number of social media content material, HeyGen might make it easier to create short-form movies quicker.
- If you must translate movies into totally different languages, HeyGen can dub your avatar’s voice whereas maintaining a pure lip sync.
My take: Identical to with Delphi, there’s one large query in my thoughts. How a lot do individuals really need to have interaction with an AI model of you rather than the true factor?
In case your content material is only informational, this may very well be an effective way to scale video creation. But when your viewers is invested in YOU — your distinctive expressions, humor, and vitality — an AI clone isn’t an actual substitute.
5. Argil: AI Cloning for Brief-Type Video Content material
This one is particularly constructed for short-form video. Argil is a startup that permits you to clone your self with only a couple minutes of video. You’ll be able to then begin producing AI-powered movies by typing out a script.
When looking examples from their web site, I seen Argil targeted on fast, punchy, creator-style content material. It’s not making an attempt to exchange HeyGen or different full-scale avatar instruments. Argil is constructed for velocity and ease.
Why Argil Is Helpful
You add a brief coaching video after which use your AI clone to generate clips that educate, promote, or entertain. Argil’s high quality isn’t good — particularly within the voice and visible realism — but it surely’s quick and light-weight.
The place Argil Might Be Useful
Argil is finest suited to:
- Creators making short-form content material on platforms like TikTok or Instagram.
- Individuals who have already got an viewers and need to repurpose or batch video manufacturing.
- Anybody experimenting with AI avatars who doesn’t want a full manufacturing studio.
Identical to HeyGen and Delphi, the true worth right here comes after you’ve constructed an viewers and found out what sort of content material resonates.
How Argil Works
Document a two-minute video of your self, and Argil generates an AI clone. From there, you possibly can script movies by simply typing textual content. The clone will learn it again, absolutely animated. The interface is straightforward and feels extra like a Notion doc than a video editor, which makes it fairly approachable.
My take: Argil is a cool idea for short-form creators, however you’ll get probably the most out of the software in the event you already know what viewers you’re talking to.
6. Opus: AI-Powered Video Enhancing
Opus is a software most individuals already know. It takes long-form video — podcasts, interviews, keynotes — and mechanically cuts it into quick, shareable clips.
Provided that modifying video is among the largest time sucks in content material creation, instruments like Opus could be particularly worthwhile. I examined it utilizing an episode from Lex Fridman’s podcast. Opus grabbed highlights from the dialog and turned them into clips for TikTok, Shorts, Reels, and past.
Why Opus Is Helpful
Individuals devour short-form movies at scale, however creating partaking clips from lengthy content material is tedious. Opus helps by:
- Figuring out key moments in your video (so that you don’t have to wash by way of hours of footage).
- Auto-generating captions and subtitles for social media.
- Chopping a number of clips without delay to batch-create content material.
The place Opus Might Be Useful
In the event you’re producing long-form video content material, it is a must-try — even when it’s a must to tweak the AI-generated clips.
Nonetheless, right here’s the truth: These instruments create the typical model of short-form content material. They’ll get you one thing purposeful, however if you would like one thing that actually stands out, you continue to must put within the work.
How Opus Works
You add your long-form video to Opus. The AI scans it, detects key moments, and cuts them into quick clips which can be prepared for social media. Opus then mechanically provides captions, trims the fluff, and offers you a number of clips to work with — all in a couple of minutes.
My take: Instruments like Opus are nice for saving time, however they gained’t make you an ideal content material creator. Use them to hurry up the fundamentals, however nonetheless put within the work if you would like content material that hits.
7. Replit AI: Customized Coding and Automation
Replit is type of mind-blowing. Their AI agent is unbelievable, and the product as an entire is simply tremendous enjoyable to make use of. This is among the finest examples of why we’re all going to have customized software program — instruments which can be constructed by and for us, as a substitute of making an attempt to suit into one-size-fits-all platforms.
Replit AI acts like a co-pilot for coding, serving to you generate and refine code based mostly on what you want. That may very well be a easy scheduling app or a extra advanced automation.
The outcomes are mind-blowing. You’ll be able to really construct actual merchandise for your self in a matter of minutes.
Why Replit Is Helpful
Let me offer you an actual instance. I used to be watching TV and speaking to my associate. We talked about getting higher at scheduling. We now have a 10-month-old, and each hour of the day counts.
We have been utilizing Google Calendar, but it surely wasn’t precisely what we would have liked. So, I constructed one thing for us. It’s a primary scheduler that exhibits each of our days side-by-side from 6 a.m. to eight p.m. We are able to add duties, mark them as accomplished, and see the place we overlap, particularly after we need to play with our daughter or give one another a break.
It’s not a elegant app, but it surely works. And that’s the purpose: I didn’t want each function below the solar — I simply wanted one thing that labored precisely the best way I wished.
The place Replit Might Be Useful
Replit is a game-changer for entrepreneurs and enterprise homeowners who want customized software program however don’t need to rent builders for each little factor.
Replit is nice for:
- Individuals who need to construct private instruments that don’t exist but.
- Groups trying to spin up light-weight inner instruments quick.
- Entrepreneurs or operators experimenting with productized utilities or free instruments as a part of their advertising and marketing technique.
How Replit Works
Replit makes use of an AI agent that helps you thru your complete coding course of. You describe what you need to construct, like a scheduling software or a customized dashboard, and it generates the underlying code.
You may make adjustments in actual time, and the AI continues to regulate, refine, and debug as you go. You don’t must know what you’re doing to get began, and that’s type of the purpose.
My take: The large unlock right here is customized software program. As an alternative of shopping for generic instruments or making an attempt to power your workflow right into a template, Replit helps you to construct precisely what you want within the actual manner you want it.
8. Pocket book LM: AI for Smarter Observe-Taking
Pocket book LM was probably the greatest AI merchandise launched final 12 months, and never almost sufficient persons are utilizing it. In the event you take care of a number of info — docs, concepts, assembly notes, analysis — it’s straightforward for issues to get scattered. Pocket book LM turns all of that right into a structured, searchable, and truly usable information base.
It’s like your second mind however higher organized.
In the event you’ve ever wished your notes might really give you the results you want, that is the type of software that would change the way you course of info.
Why Pocket book LM Is Helpful
I exploit Pocket book LM on a regular basis. I’ve received it hooked as much as all of the totally different folders I exploit for work. It lets me:
- Create briefing docs based mostly on all the pieces in a folder.
- Generate audio opinions of content material.
- Flip uncooked content material into examine guides or structured summaries.
Principally, it’s like having an AI-powered assistant who helps you flip scattered materials into usable output with out having to manually type by way of all the pieces.
The place Pocket book LM Might Be Useful
Pocket book LM is particularly helpful for individuals who take care of a number of info however don’t have the time to manually type by way of all the pieces.
It’s an enormous win for:
- Writers and researchers who must shortly summarize massive quantities of textual content.
- College students and professionals who need AI to drag out key insights from notes.
- Content material creators who juggle a number of tasks and wish to remain organized.
How Pocket book LM Works
You join Pocket book LM to the folders or information you’re working with. AI analyzes the content material after which generates summaries, notes, and guides.
You’ll be able to question it like a analysis assistant. Ask it to floor themes, clarify advanced ideas, or spotlight key concepts throughout paperwork. Certainly one of my favourite options is the examine information software — you drop in content material, and it builds out a full studying information based mostly on what’s within the folder.
My take: Pocket book LM is among the finest AI instruments I’ve used prior to now 12 months. In the event you haven’t tried it but, begin now. It’s the type of product that feels extra worthwhile the extra you feed into it.
9. Serviette AI: AI-Generated Enterprise Visuals
Most AI picture mills are constructed for leisure or aesthetics. They’re enjoyable to play with however not likely designed for enterprise use. Serviette AI flips that. It’s targeted on serving to you create polished, skilled visuals particularly for enterprise content material.
My take: In the event you’re creating displays, writing LinkedIn posts, or constructing gross sales decks, this software offers you quick, clear photographs that seem like they belong in an actual enterprise context.
Why Serviette AI Is Helpful
I used Serviette AI on one among my LinkedIn posts about AI-driven procurement, and it immediately generated a variety {of professional}, business-friendly graphics. These weren’t surreal or off-brand. They really appeared like they belonged in a deck or B2B put up.
That is the place Serviette stands out. It helps you:
- Create clear, related photographs tailor-made to your online business content material.
- Skip the countless hunt by way of inventory images.
- Make posts, displays, and stories extra visually partaking with no need a designer.
The place Serviette AI Might Be Useful
For professionals who create a number of business-focused content material, Serviette AI helps make posts and displays extra visually partaking. Listed here are some B2B supplies I feel Serviette AI might spruce up:
- LinkedIn posts. As an alternative of utilizing overused inventory photographs, I can generate customized graphics.
- Gross sales decks and displays. I can shortly create enterprise visuals with out hiring a designer.
- Advertising and branding supplies. I can generate on-brand photographs that match your messaging.
How Serviette AI Works
Serviette AI can take one thing like your newest LinkedIn put up and mechanically generate picture choices to go along with it. You don’t should immediate it from scratch or tweak difficult settings.
This software is designed to generate visuals that really feel like they belong in an expert setting — clear, minimal, and topic-specific — slightly than the surreal or cartoonish output most picture instruments default to.
Serviette AI isn’t making an attempt to exchange a designer, but it surely offers you a place to begin that feels about 80% of the best way there. Most often, that’s greater than sufficient.
My take: In the event you put up a number of business-related content material, Serviette AI is value making an attempt. AI-generated visuals nonetheless aren’t good, however Serviette AI’s give attention to professional-looking graphics makes it stand out from different picture instruments.
Work Smarter, Not More durable With These AI Instruments
Up to now 12 months, hundreds of latest AI apps have launched. I’ve personally examined dozens if not lots of. Whereas some have been gimmicks and extra AI fluff, a few of these instruments made an enormous distinction in my productiveness.
In the event you’re on the lookout for some AI instruments to experiment with, give these choices a shot first. Move and Cubby make it simpler to course of info and lower down on guide work. Delphi and HeyGen allow you to scale your self in ways in which weren’t doable earlier than. Replit and Opus are making it simpler for anybody to construct and repurpose content material quicker than ever.
So experiment. Construct. Use what works. Simply don’t neglect to place your personal edge into it.
To study extra about lead-scoring techniques and advertising and marketing progress methods, try the full episode of Advertising Towards the Grain under:
This weblog collection is in partnership with Advertising Towards the Grain, the video podcast. It digs deeper into concepts shared by advertising and marketing leaders Kipp Bodnar (HubSpot’s CMO) and Kieran Flanagan (SVP, Advertising at HubSpot) as they unpack progress methods and study from standout founders and friends.
