[Part 1] - AI Everywhere: New AI Features in the Tools You Use Daily

You don’t need a PhD in machine learning to tap into AI’s power—chances are, the very apps you open every morning are already packed with hidden superpowers. They might look like regular old programs, but under the surface, they’re humming with clever helpers ready to save you time and spark fresh ideas. It sounds wild, but here’s the kicker: “94% of execs say AI is urgent, but only 1 in 4 workers have tried AI at work.” In other words, we’re all sitting on hidden superpowers and barely scratching the surface.

So here’s the plan. First up, we’ll peek inside Google Workspace and Microsoft 365. I’ll show you how Gmail can finish your sentences, how Docs can nudge you toward better phrasing, and how Microsoft’s Copilot can capture meeting highlights while you sip your coffee. Next, we’ll wander into the world of design: imagine whipping up a slick chart in Canva without lifting a paintbrush, or asking Figma to sketch a page layout for you, or even letting Adobe’s AI turn your rough sketch into something that looks straight out of a pro portfolio.

But there’s more. We’ll also tackle communication and collaboration tools. Imagine getting smart summaries of yesterday’s Slack threads, letting Zoom’s Companion take your meeting notes, and having LinkedIn’s AI help you craft a profile that stands out. Finally, we’ll dive into writing and research assistants, including ChatGPT, Notion, and Grammarly. Those tools can help brainstorm ideas, gather research, and refine your prose with just a few clicks. By the end, you’ll know exactly which AI trick to try first so you can stop fiddling with busywork and start focusing on the stuff that matters.

Google Workspace (Duet AI) – Bringing AI smarts to Gmail, Docs, Slides & more

Imagine settling into your morning routine, coffee in hand, and opening Gmail only to find it already brimming with helpful suggestions.

Click “Help me reply” on any message, and it drafts a response that sounds just like you—drawing on past emails and Drive files so you never miss a detail. It’s like having a personal assistant who knows your style, turns your thoughts into polished replies in seconds, and saves you from wading through endless threads.

Now, what if you could simply tell your inbox what to do? With Duet’s Inbox Cleanup by Command, you type something like

No more fiddling with filters or hunting down every newsletter—that one voice command does it all. And when it comes to setting up meetings, forget the back-and-forth emails: Duet spots your “Let’s meet next week” notes and offers your available slots or even spins up a booking page for you. You click the suggestion, pick a time, and voilà—your invite is on its way, making you look organized and professional without breaking a sweat.

Switch over to Google Docs, and Duet keeps the magic going. Open the “Help me write” sidebar, and it only pulls from the Slides, Sheets, and Docs you’ve linked—so every suggestion stays true to your project’s real data. Whether you’re drafting a report or tightening up a proposal, it saves you from generic advice and keeps everything on point.

And if your work lives in slide decks, the new “Vids” tool will turn those slides into a full video complete with voice-over, animations, even an AI avatar presenter, all with a couple of clicks. No editing skills? No problem.

Finally, when it’s time for meetings, Duet AI in Google Meet has your back with live captions, transcription, and translation. Imagine hopping into a call where every word is captioned and even translated on the fly, preserving tone and emphasis. It’s a game-changer for anyone working with global teams—no more awkward pauses while someone asks for clarification. Lean on these Duet AI features, and you’ll carve hours out of your week—no extra apps or AI degrees required.

Microsoft 365 Copilot – Your AI coworker across Office and Teams

Ever find yourself staring at a blank document or fumbling for the right words in an email? Copilot’s “Create” mode is like having a teammate who jumps in the moment you need a hand.

Picture this: you’re staring at a blank Word page, cursor blinking at you like it knows you’re stuck. Or maybe you’re in Outlook, trying to draft that project update email but can’t find the right words. Enter Copilot’s “Create” mode—the teammate who swoops in the second you need a hand. You simply type something like, “Write me a Q2 launch update,” and in moments, Copilot hands you a fully fleshed-out draft, complete with headings, bullet points, or even slide outlines if you’re in PowerPoint.

If you’re new to the game—fresh out of college or just starting that first office job—this feels like a superpower. No more staring at that blank page or wondering, “Where do I even begin?” Just hit the Copilot sidebar in Word, PowerPoint, or Outlook, tell it what you need in plain English, and watch the magic happen. Within seconds, you’ve got a solid structure you can tweak with your voice and details.

The best part? You skip the dreaded “blank-page syndrome” and jump straight into polishing and personalizing your work. Instead of wrestling with layout and format, you get to focus on the ideas that matter. And according to Microsoft, these AI-powered drafts can seriously speed up how quickly you crank out routine documents, giving you more time to shine where it counts.

And that wraps up Part One of our journey through AI’s hidden superpowers in the everyday tools you already use. From Gmail’s genius smart replies and inbox cleanup to Docs’ context-aware suggestions, Slides’ instant video magic, and Meet’s real-time captions and translations, Google’s Duet AI is quietly taking the grunt work off your plate. You’ve seen how a few clicks (or even simple voice commands) can transform hours of fiddly tasks into minutes, leaving you free to focus on big ideas, creative problem–solving, and building your skillset.

But we’re just getting started.

Over the next few days, I’ll show you how non–designers can become visual maestros with Canva, Figma, and Adobe’s April 2025 AI updates.

We’ll explore ChatGPT’s Spring 2025 power boosts, Notion’s all-in-one “second brain” toolkit, Slack’s smart meeting sidekick, and LinkedIn’s Career Co-Pilot for leveling up your profile and networking game.

Consider this your launchpad—stay tuned for Part Two, where you’ll discover even more ways to work smarter, learn faster, and get ahead in your career with AI at your side.

What’s one AI sidekick you’re most excited to try this week, and how do you think it’ll supercharge your workflow?