16 WAYS TO PUT AI TO WORK
A little less admin.
A little more life.
Get from “AI could help” to a calendar you can import, a reply worth sending, or a watch that knows when to stay quiet.
Pick a task. Try the sample in your AI tool. Check what comes back. These are authored walkthroughs with fictional samples, not claims of tested product performance.
01 / A DIFFERENT KIND OF HELP
Make a file
Turn school notices into an importable calendar
Extract the dates once, resolve uncertainties, and make a calendar file you can inspect before importing.
MAKE → An .ics file plus a list of unresolved datesWorkTurn receipts and an approved quote into checked rows
Extract amounts with their sources, reconcile the arithmetic, and produce an invoice draft or expense CSV.
MAKE → A checked CSV and unresolved-item listCreateTurn source material into an editable presentation
Keep the existing template, build a coherent story, and check the exported deck rather than stopping at slide copy.
MAKE → An editable deck with sources and a visual review02 / A DIFFERENT KIND OF HELP
Keep watch
Make an inbox brief that tells you what needs attention
Pull urgent messages, unanswered requests, and upcoming commitments into one small review queue.
MAKE → A sourced brief and reply draftsLifeWatch for a deal that actually meets your requirements
Compare the exact item, delivered price, stock, and seller before alerting you about a worthwhile offer.
MAKE → A dated shortlist or a quiet no-change logWorkTrack meaningful competitor changes with evidence
Keep a dated baseline and report what changed, where it changed, and why it might matter.
MAKE → A dated change report with source linksWorkTriage support tickets without making up policy
Sort a small queue, ground replies in approved help material, and route uncertain cases to a person.
MAKE → A prioritized queue with sourced draft repliesLearnBuild a small news brief that stays current
Follow a few topics with dated sources, deduplicated stories, and a clear record of what was checked.
MAKE → A concise dated digest with linksBuildKeep a pull-request queue from quietly getting stuck
Review CI, dependencies, and outstanding feedback, then report the next useful action for each pull request.
MAKE → A queue report linked to exact commits and checks03 / A DIFFERENT KIND OF HELP
Coordinate a task
Find a meeting time across busy calendars
Compare availability, buffers, and time zones before making a specific scheduling proposal.
MAKE → A ranked shortlist of conflict-free slotsWorkFind suitable jobs and tailor an honest application
Connect a real job description to evidence from your work, then prepare materials you can stand behind.
MAKE → A fit table, revised resume bullets, and a cover letter draftLifeReview subscriptions and prepare a cancellation
Find duplicate or unused services, check the actual terms, and make a cancellation decision with the costs visible.
MAKE → A review table and cancellation request draftLifeGet a local service visit ready to book
Turn a household request into a clear brief, compare real availability, and approve one specific appointment.
MAKE → A provider shortlist and booking request draftLifeCompare travel changes before committing to one
Reconcile the current booking with new constraints and show the full cost and consequences of each option.
MAKE → A sourced options table and change request04 / A DIFFERENT KIND OF HELP
Check something
Ask an agent to check a real browser journey
Turn a user task into an observed result with evidence of the clicks, output, and failure.
MAKE → A reproducible browser report with evidenceLearnMake a catch-up guide that stays inside what you have read
Organize characters and events from your supplied notes without letting later plot information leak in.
MAKE → A source-bounded catch-up sheetStart small. Keep the useful part.
Recurring work needs real connections, a supported schedule, and a way to report failures. Each walkthrough explains the capabilities to check. An ordinary chat can still help with the first draft.
New to AI? Try one of six first tasks