AI Tools and Podcasts That Drive My Workflow
Hey there! Recently, I've been thinking about how I use AI tools, and how those tools have completely changed the way I work. I thought I'd share my current setup and the podcasts keeping me in the loop - maybe you'll find something useful for your own workflow!
My AI Journey
You know that mind-blown feeling when you discover something that changes everything? That's exactly what happened when I first tried ChatGPT. It reminded me of my first web search with Webcrawler over 31 years ago - that "holy s#@t, this changes everything" moment that makes you feel like you're living in the future.
While ChatGPT got me hooked, I ended up finding my groove with three other tools that I absolutely love: Perplexity for searching, Claude for the heavy lifting in writing, and Grammarly for keeping my writing clean. I use these tools multiple times a day, and honestly, I can't imagine working without them now. Recently, I've been playing around with Microsoft Copilot and giving ChatGPT another spin - more on that in a bit!
A Quick Note About Privacy and Subscriptions
Hey, before I geek out about my toolkit, let me share two important things. First up, I'm using paid versions of all these tools. While they offer free tiers, I've found the premium features totally worth it for my daily work. The paid versions give you better performance, higher usage limits, and, in some instances, better privacy options.
Speaking of privacy (yeah, we need to talk about it), you should take the time to read and understand how AI tools use your data. Here's a high-level overview of how these tools handle your data:
Perplexity: Perplexity may use your interactions to train their AI models. To opt out, navigate to your profile settings and disable the "AI Data Usage" toggle.
Claude: Anthropic, the creator of Claude, states that they do not use your conversations to train their AI models unless you explicitly opt in.
Grammarly: Grammarly collects user data to enhance its services, which may include using data to train their models. Users can manage data preferences, including opting out of certain data uses, within the app's settings.
ChatGPT: OpenAI may use your conversations to improve its models. To opt out, go to Settings > Data Controls and turn off the option that allows your data to be used for training purposes.
Microsoft Copilot: Microsoft's Copilot is designed with enterprise-grade security. Data handling practices may vary depending on organizational settings and configurations. It's advisable to consult your organization's IT or compliance department to understand how your data is managed.
Pro tip: Take a few minutes to check each tool's privacy policy and tweak those settings to your liking. When I'm working with sensitive stuff, I always review the privacy settings first. The paid versions usually give you more control over your data - another reason I prefer them.
Let me break down my current toolkit:
Perplexity: The Search Engine That Actually Gets It
Remember the old days of opening 20 browser tabs just to research one topic? Perplexity has essentially eliminated that workflow for me. It's like having a really smart research assistant who truly understands what you're looking for and provides you with direct answers and sources. Whether I'm exploring a new topic for a client or keeping up with tech trends, it's my go-to for quick, reliable information.
Sure, Google and Bing have jumped on the AI bandwagon too, but here's the thing - they're still primarily ad platforms. With Perplexity, I get a clean, focused experience without all the distracting ads and promotional content cluttering up my results.
What's really cool about Perplexity is that you can choose which AI model powers your searches. Want to use OpenAI's o3-mini? Go for it. Prefer the Deepseek R1 model? That's an option too. It's like being able to swap out different engines in your car to get exactly the performance you want.
Lastly, Perplexity does more than just search. You can use it to help with writing content, analyzing documents, writing code, and much more.
Claude: My Writing Buddy
Claude has become my secret weapon for writing and brainstorming. Need to draft a proposal, press release, or content for a blog? Claude's got my back. Stuck on how to explain a complex concept? Claude helps me break it down. Its ability to understand context and maintain a consistent voice throughout longer pieces is pretty mind-blowing.
What really sets Claude apart is its interface - it's just so clean and inviting. While other AI tools can feel cluttered or overwhelming, Claude's sleek design actually makes you want to write and create. There's something about the minimalist layout that helps you focus on what matters: your ideas and the conversation. It's like having a clean desk versus one covered in papers - the clean space just helps you think better.
Grammarly: The Always-On Editor
Look, we all make typos, and sometimes our writing just doesn't flow right. Grammarly is like having a friend who's really good at English looking over your shoulder (but in a non-creepy way). It catches the obvious stuff but also helps with tone and clarity. Super helpful when you're switching between casual messages and more formal client work.
It also works in every program or tool you are writing in. From your email editor, Microsoft products, web pages, LinkedIn posts. Everything. It is truly a remarkable assistant that everyone should try using.
ChatGPT: The OG Getting Better With Age
I've recently started playing with ChatGPT again, and wow, they've been busy! The web search feature is super handy for getting current info, and the Canvas feature is pretty sweet for organizing ideas. It's like they took the original magic and added a bunch of useful upgrades.
What's really caught my attention in the last couple of weeks is how much their writing capabilities have improved. While I used to rely exclusively on Claude for writing tasks, I'm finding that ChatGPT can now handle complex writing projects almost as well. The gap between the two has definitely narrowed. I can now bounce between both tools for writing, which gives me more flexibility in my workflow. They each have their own strengths, and it's great to have options depending on what I'm working on.
Microsoft Copilot: The New Kid With Potential
Real talk: I'm still trying to figure out how to make Copilot work for me. The idea is great - AI built right into Microsoft 365. But right now, it often feels like it's missing the mark compared to standalone tools. I'm keeping an eye on it though - Microsoft usually figures things out eventually.
The Podcasts Keeping Me Smart(ish)
So that's my AI toolkit! But tools are only part of the story - I also love staying up to date with the latest AI developments and insights. Here are the podcasts that keep me company while I work and keep my brain buzzing:
The AI for Humans podcast is perfect for understanding AI without getting lost in the technical weeds. It breaks down complex topics into useful insights. It’s a lot of fun to listen to.
The Artificial Intelligence Show is for when you want to dive deeper into the tech. They get into the nuts and bolts of new AI developments, and it's fascinating stuff.
Lenny’s Podcast is not strictly tech-focused, but Lenny's conversations about product development and business strategy are gold. Great for understanding the bigger picture of how tech fits into business.
Putting It All Together
At JP Works and in my personal life, I'm learning that having the right tools makes a huge difference. These AI assistants handle a lot of the heavy lifting, letting me focus on the creative and strategic stuff that really matters. The podcasts keep me thinking about new ways to use these tools and stay ahead of the curve.
You know, there's this quote I recently read, and I keep coming back to: "AI isn't going to take your job; people who know how to use AI will." It really hits home for me. The key isn't just having access to these tools - it's about learning how to use them effectively and integrating them thoughtfully into your workflow. That's why I'm always experimenting with new tools and sharing what I learn.