2024 was the 12 months of AI instruments. Hundreds of latest apps launched — some simply photograph turbines and gimmicks, others far more helpful. What stood out to me have been the instruments that really helped you get issues finished.
This listing comes from a16z’s AI Unwrapped, which largely options client 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 may strive these instruments tomorrow to start out being extra productive.
Whether or not you want a analysis dump on house agriculture, wish to clone your self right into a short-form video creator, or simply cease typing every little thing out by hand, there’s one thing right here value attempting. Let’s get into it.
AI Instruments for Productiveness and Viewers Development — My High Picks
1. Circulate Voice: Fingers-Free Productiveness with AI
In the event you’ve ever wished you possibly can speak to your laptop computer as a substitute of typing, Circulate could be the AI device you’ve been ready for.
Just like Grammarly, Circulate embeds itself into each utility that you just use. However as a substitute of fixing your grammar, Circulate permits you to management all of your apps by talking out loud. You may write emails, reply to Slack messages, edit Google Docs, and extra — all with out touching a keyboard.
Why Circulate Is Fascinating
All of us kind manner an excessive amount of. Between emails, Slack, docs, and textual content messages, it provides up. Circulate is attempting to chop out the additional effort by making it attainable to speak to your laptop the way in which you’d speak to an assistant.
Circulate is constructed to be built-in into your workflow, that 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 Circulate Works
I examined Circulate, and right here’s the way it works:
- Maintain down the house bar, communicate your command, and Circulate transcribes it in actual time.
- Stay enhancing is feasible — simply inform it to delete, rewrite, or change wording.
- You may even reply to Slack and e-mail hands-free. AI makes certain your messages don’t sound like a robotic mess.
Right here’s a screenshot of Circulate in motion:
My take: Modifying by voice is bizarre at first however sort of wonderful when you get used to it. In the event you’re somebody who lives in Slack and e-mail, Circulate is value attempting
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 sort of one who has 50 tabs open always, it is best to strive Cubby. This device makes remembering the place you noticed that one quote, article, or podcast clip easy.
As a substitute of dumping hyperlinks right into a Notion doc or bookmarking stuff you’ll by no means revisit, you possibly can simply drop every little thing 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 arrange the data into one thing helpful.
Why Cubby Is Helpful
AI instruments promise to make life simpler, however Cubby solves an actual drawback: Analysis is a large number.
In the event you’ve ever tried to do a deep dive on a subject, you know the way 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 beneficial, 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 every little thing collectively and making it searchable and usable. As a substitute of holding monitor of tabs and notes, you simply dump every little thing in and let AI deal with the remainder.
How Cubby Works
- Drag and drop something you’re researching into Cubby.
- Cubby transcribes every little thing and pulls out the important thing factors.
- You may ask it questions in regards to the content material as a substitute of manually digging via hours of fabric.
My take: Cubby acts as a private analysis assistant, serving to you discover connections between completely different sources with out guide effort.
3. Delphi: AI Clones for Content material Creation
Delphi permits you to create an AI clone of your self that folks can work together with. As a substitute of continually answering the identical questions or attempting 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 whenever you’re not there.
Why Delphi Is Helpful
Let’s say you’re a content material creator, advisor, or educator. You most likely get lots of the identical questions time and again — learn how to begin a e-newsletter, learn how to develop an viewers, learn how to value companies.
Usually, you’d need to 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 every little thing you’ve ever stated, 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 permits you to scale that engagement with out being on name 24/7.
How Delphi Works
You practice Delphi in your present 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 bought some fairly useful responses, together with referral hyperlinks the place I might be taught extra from Brian.
Delphi is a good concept for somebody who has a wealth of experience and with little time for one-on-one convos.
That stated, this device does elevate a much bigger query: Do individuals really need to speak to an AI model of you? If somebody is searching for a step-by-step course of, they could be fantastic 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 selected house and a group of people who find themselves wanting to entry it.
4. HeyGen: AI-Powered Video Avatars
AI-generated video content material has come a great distance.
A couple of years in the past, most AI avatars seemed stiff and robotic, the sort of factor you’d see in a foul deepfake. However, HeyGen is pushing the boundaries. Folks may really mistake an AI-generated model of you for the actual factor.
HeyGen permits 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 digicam.
To experiment with the device, I cloned myself and delivered a complete course via my AI clone.
Why HeyGen Is Fascinating
HeyGen isn’t like these bizarre robotic avatars from a couple of years in the past. The device now has smoother facial actions and higher hand gestures, which suggests the uncanny valley impact is shrinking.
In reality, some individuals didn’t notice AI was presenting my course. They emailed me afterward, saying I appeared “a bit off” as a result of I used to be holding my fingers nonetheless — one thing the early HeyGen mannequin required. Nevertheless, even that degree of confusion reveals how far the tech has come.
In case your content material is solely instructional or tutorial, HeyGen is a good way to create at scale with out having to look on digicam each time.
The place HeyGen May Be Useful
For individuals who have to create video content material at scale, HeyGen is definitely a extremely great tool.
- In the event you run an internet course, you possibly can use HeyGen to create classes with out filming each single one.
- In the event you document lots of social media content material, HeyGen might assist you to create short-form movies quicker.
- If it’s good to translate movies into completely different languages, HeyGen can dub your avatar’s voice whereas holding a pure lip sync.
My take: Similar to with Delphi, there’s one huge query in my thoughts. How a lot do individuals really wish to interact with an AI model of you rather than the actual factor?
In case your content material is solely informational, this may very well be a good 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 Quick-Kind 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 may then begin producing AI-powered movies by typing out a script.
When searching examples from their web site, I observed Argil targeted on fast, punchy, creator-style content material. It’s not attempting to switch 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 train, promote, or entertain. Argil’s high quality isn’t excellent — particularly within the voice and visible realism — nevertheless it’s quick and light-weight.
The place Argil May Be Useful
Argil is finest fitted to:
- Creators making short-form content material on platforms like TikTok or Instagram.
- Individuals who have already got an viewers and wish to repurpose or batch video manufacturing.
- Anybody experimenting with AI avatars who doesn’t want a full manufacturing studio.
Similar to HeyGen and Delphi, the actual worth right here comes after you’ve constructed an viewers and discovered what sort of content material resonates.
How Argil Works
Report 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 essentially the most out of the device if you happen to already know what viewers you’re chatting with.
6. Opus: AI-Powered Video Modifying
Opus is a device most individuals already know. It takes long-form video — podcasts, interviews, keynotes — and robotically cuts it into quick, shareable clips.
Provided that enhancing video is without doubt one of the greatest time sucks in content material creation, instruments like Opus may be particularly priceless. 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
Folks eat short-form movies at scale, however creating participating clips from lengthy content material is tedious. Opus helps by:
- Figuring out key moments in your video (so that you don’t have to clean via hours of footage).
- Auto-generating captions and subtitles for social media.
- Slicing a number of clips without delay to batch-create content material.
The place Opus May Be Useful
In the event you’re producing long-form video content material, it is a must-try — even when you need to tweak the AI-generated clips.
Nevertheless, right here’s the truth: These instruments create the typical model of short-form content material. They’ll get you one thing practical, however in order for you one thing that actually stands out, you continue to have to 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 robotically provides captions, trims the fluff, and provides 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 awesome content material creator. Use them to hurry up the fundamentals, however nonetheless put within the work in order for you content material that hits.
7. Replit AI: Customized Coding and Automation
Replit is sort of mind-blowing. Their AI agent is unimaginable, and the product as a complete is simply tremendous enjoyable to make use of. This is without doubt one of the finest examples of why we’re all going to have personalised software program — instruments which can be constructed by and for us, as a substitute of attempting 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 complicated automation.
The outcomes are mind-blowing. You may 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 companion. We talked about getting higher at scheduling. Now we have a 10-month-old, and each hour of the day counts.
We have been utilizing Google Calendar, nevertheless it wasn’t precisely what we wanted. So, I constructed one thing for us. It’s a fundamental scheduler that reveals 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 once we wish to play with our daughter or give one another a break.
It’s not a cultured app, nevertheless it works. And that’s the purpose: I didn’t want each characteristic underneath the solar — I simply wanted one thing that labored precisely the way in which I wished.
The place Replit May Be Useful
Replit is a game-changer for entrepreneurs and enterprise house owners who want customized software program however don’t wish to rent builders for each little factor.
Replit is nice for:
- Individuals who wish 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 the complete coding course of. You describe what you wish to construct, like a scheduling device 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 have to know what you’re doing to get began, and that’s sort of the purpose.
My take: The massive unlock right here is personalised software program. As a substitute of shopping for generic instruments or attempting to power your workflow right into a template, Replit permits you to construct precisely what you want within the precise manner you want it.
8. Pocket book LM: AI for Smarter Observe-Taking
Pocket book LM was among the finest AI merchandise launched final 12 months, and never practically sufficient persons are utilizing it. In the event you cope with lots of info — docs, concepts, assembly notes, analysis — it’s simple for issues to get scattered. Pocket book LM turns all of that right into a structured, searchable, and really usable information base.
It’s like your second mind however higher organized.
In the event you’ve ever wished your notes might really be just right for you, that is the sort of device that might change the way you course of info.
Why Pocket book LM Is Helpful
I take advantage of Pocket book LM on a regular basis. I’ve bought it hooked as much as all of the completely different folders I take advantage of for work. It lets me:
- Create briefing docs based mostly on every little thing 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 via every little thing.
The place Pocket book LM May Be Useful
Pocket book LM is very helpful for individuals who cope with lots of info however don’t have the time to manually type via every little thing.
It’s an enormous win for:
- Writers and researchers who have to rapidly summarize massive quantities of textual content.
- College students and professionals who need AI to tug out key insights from notes.
- Content material creators who juggle a number of initiatives and want 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 may question it like a analysis assistant. Ask it to floor themes, clarify complicated ideas, or spotlight key concepts throughout paperwork. Certainly one of my favourite options is the examine information device — 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 without doubt one of 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 sort of product that feels extra priceless the extra you feed into it.
9. Serviette AI: AI-Generated Enterprise Visuals
Most AI picture turbines are constructed for leisure or aesthetics. They’re enjoyable to play with however probably not 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 device offers you quick, clear photos that appear like they belong in an actual enterprise context.
Why Serviette AI Is Helpful
I used Serviette AI on considered one of my LinkedIn posts about AI-driven procurement, and it immediately generated a spread {of professional}, business-friendly graphics. These weren’t surreal or off-brand. They really seemed like they belonged in a deck or B2B submit.
That is the place Serviette stands out. It helps you:
- Create clear, related photos tailor-made to your enterprise content material.
- Skip the infinite hunt via inventory images.
- Make posts, displays, and reviews extra visually participating with no need a designer.
The place Serviette AI May Be Useful
For professionals who create lots of business-focused content material, Serviette AI helps make posts and displays extra visually participating. Listed below are some B2B supplies I believe Serviette AI might spruce up:
- LinkedIn posts. As a substitute of utilizing overused inventory photos, I can generate customized graphics.
- Gross sales decks and displays. I can rapidly create enterprise visuals with out hiring a designer.
- Advertising and marketing and branding supplies. I can generate on-brand photos that match your messaging.
How Serviette AI Works
Serviette AI can take one thing like your newest LinkedIn submit and robotically generate picture choices to go along with it. You don’t need to immediate it from scratch or tweak sophisticated settings.
This device is designed to generate visuals that really feel like they belong in an expert setting — clear, minimal, and topic-specific — reasonably than the surreal or cartoonish output most picture instruments default to.
Serviette AI isn’t attempting to switch a designer, nevertheless it offers you a place to begin that feels about 80% of the way in which there. Most often, that’s greater than sufficient.
My take: In the event you submit lots of business-related content material, Serviette AI is value attempting. AI-generated visuals nonetheless aren’t excellent, however Serviette AI’s deal with professional-looking graphics makes it stand out from different picture instruments.
Work Smarter, Not Tougher With These AI Instruments
Up to now 12 months, 1000’s of latest AI apps have launched. I’ve personally examined dozens if not tons 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 searching for some AI instruments to experiment with, give these choices a shot first. Circulate and Cubby make it simpler to course of info and reduce down on guide work. Delphi and HeyGen allow you to scale your self in ways in which weren’t attainable 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 overlook to place your personal edge into it.
To be taught extra about lead-scoring techniques and advertising and marketing progress methods, take a look at the full episode of Advertising and marketing Towards the Grain beneath:
This weblog sequence is in partnership with Advertising and marketing 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 and marketing at HubSpot) as they unpack progress methods and be taught from standout founders and friends.
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