Earlier this month, Ezra Klein reflected on how, despite recognizing AI’s enormous potential, he found no practical place for it in his daily routine. He echoed what I’ve heard from many people: Even after trying various GenAI tools, they didn’t see a strong reason to keep returning to them.

It’s understandable because unlocking the real value in these systems requires a fundamental shift in mindset. Rather than viewing tools like ChatGPT as search engines, it’s more helpful to see them as providing access to a group of expert assistants who can perform a growing number of tasks.

Klein’s article caused me to reflect on how I used AI tools over the last year and the lessons learned through those use cases:

Personalized AI Assistants:

• Personalized Tutor: I built an AI tutor using OpenAI’s GPTs that tailors lessons to a person’s interests breaks down complex concepts, and provides real-time feedback. Now, someone can explore fractions through Star Wars scenarios or grasp Chain Weighted CPI with examples inspired by Taylor Swift.
• Healthcare Startup Advisor: I created an AI assistant for a first-time founder that simplifies complex topics like venture funding, provides practical business advice, and supports tasks from reviewing term sheets to drafting job descriptions. The founder described this support as instrumental in building her confidence to take the leap and launch her startup.
• Compassionate Medical Assistant: For a cancer patient, I developed a GPT that summarizes their pathology and treatment reports, explains medical jargon in plain language, and suggests actionable follow-up questions for doctors.
• SommeliAI: I created a virtual sommelier that provides tailored wine recommendations, analyzes labels, and offers information about vineyards, grape varietals, and winemaking processes.

Research and Data Analysis

• Summarization: I often use these tools to simplify complex legislation, regulations, research studies, and documents like health insurance plans.
• Organizing Research: I use Google’s NotebookLM to organize research into notebooks focused on topics like AI studies, healthcare research, and exit polls from the 2024 US election. Within the notebooks, I can analyze and query only those sources, which has been incredibly helpful. And the podcasting feature has been fun. 

• Data Analysis: With ChatGPT, I analyze financial forecasts, Census data, public opinion polling, NAEP results, and state healthcare data. Instead of writing complicated Excel formulas or pivotal tables, I can just ask questions the way one does with a data analyst.
• Legislative Drafting Assistance: I asked Claude to analyze the Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo decision, review draft legislation for executive authority vulnerabilities, and propose solutions. The suggestions were impressive, offering creative language that staff refined slightly before including it in the introduced bill.
• Research: Perplexity has been my go-to for deep analysis and synthesis of search results. I’ve been blown away by Google’s Gemini Advanced 1.5 Pro with Deep Research, which takes a set of questions, puts together a research plan, and then explores hundreds of websites before producing a 15-page brief with citations. 

Everyday Assistance

• Meta AI with Ray-Ban Glasses: These smart glasses merge Ray-Ban design with advanced hardware and Meta AI, which enables amazing capabilities, including real-time translations, image analysis, and conversational AI. I’ve been able to translate signs from French to English, learn more about paintings and landmarks, and capture special moments through photos and videos.

• Recipe Brainstorming: Activating ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice with Vision, I wandered through a farmers market, letting it identify ingredients from various stalls and brainstorm recipes on the spot.
• Graphics: I regularly use Midjourney to design graphics or stock art. I also designed a graphic that I uploaded to Zazzle for personalized wrapping paper.
• Household Fixes: After sharing a photo of a malfunctioning smart light switch with ChatGPT, I received step-by-step instructions on how to fix it.
• Public Speaking Practice: I used ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice to rehearse a speech for XPrize, receiving constructive feedback on tone and delivery.
• SimpleAI: Has been incredible in calling restaurants for reservations and canceling a subscription.
• Waymo: I was surprised to learn that I was in the top six percent of Waymo riders last years. Riding in a Waymo is a magical experience as an AI powered car effortlessly navigates through streets.

AI has become an invaluable partner for me, giving me instant access to a wide array of expert “assistants.” I now have a data analyst, driver with Waymo, brainstorming partner, legislative analyst, medical assistant, start-up advisor, graphics designer, and researcher at my fingertips, ready to help whenever I need specialized skills and knowledge.

Yet, what’s most exciting about these AI capabilities is that we’re still in the early days. Many of the technologies remain at the start of their maturity curve, meaning they’ll only grow smarter, more capable, and easier to use over time. As these systems continue to evolve, so too will the ways we integrate them into our daily routines.