Tip: Begin with one repetitive task, test it with fake data, and keep a human approving anything a customer sees.
Tame your inbox
Reads new email, sorts what matters, drafts replies for you to approve.
Example tools: Gemini Agent, Lindy, ChatGPT Work
Try it yourself: Ask: “Go through my unread email from today, list the 5 that need a reply, and draft replies. Don’t send anything.”
Prepare for a meeting
Pulls together notes, past emails and files into a one-page brief before a meeting.
Example tools: ChatGPT Work, Gemini Agent, Microsoft Copilot Actions
Try it yourself: Ask: “I meet [name] tomorrow at 10. Find our recent emails and shared docs and give me a one-page brief with 3 questions to ask.”
Turn data into a report or slides
Analyzes a spreadsheet and produces a finished report, chart or slide deck.
Example tools: ChatGPT Work, Manus, Microsoft Copilot Actions
Try it yourself: Upload a spreadsheet and ask: “Summarize the 3 biggest changes vs last month and make a 5-slide deck. Show your working.”
Connect your apps on autopilot
When something happens (a form, a sale, an email), the agent updates sheets, CRM or Slack for you.
Example tools: Zapier Agents, n8n
Try it yourself: In Zapier Agents, start from a template like “new form entry → add to spreadsheet → send me a summary”. Test with fake data first.
Answer common customer questions
Drafts answers to customer emails or messages using your FAQ, for you to review.
Example tools: Zapier Agents, Lindy, ChatGPT Work
Try it yourself: Paste your FAQ and 5 real (anonymized) customer emails into ChatGPT and ask it to draft replies in your tone. Review every one.
Chase invoices and receipts
Finds receipts and invoices in your email and puts them in one spreadsheet.
Example tools: Gemini Agent, Zapier Agents
Try it yourself: Ask Gemini: “Find all receipts in my Gmail from last month and list date, vendor and amount in a table.”
Build a simple website or tool
Creates a small web page or app from a description and lets you refine it.
Example tools: ChatGPT Work, Manus, Claude (Cowork + computer use)
Try it yourself: Ask: “Build a one-page website for my [hobby/business] with a contact section.” Then ask for one change at a time.
Research a topic with sources
Searches many web pages and writes a summary with links so you can check claims.
Example tools: Perplexity Comet, ChatGPT Work, Gemini Agent, Manus
Try it yourself: Ask: “Research [topic]. Give me 5 key points, each with a source link, and tell me what you’re unsure about.”
Compare options before you decide
Builds a comparison table of products, services or providers from their websites.
Example tools: Perplexity Comet, ChatGPT Work, Gemini Agent
Try it yourself: Ask: “Compare the 3 cheapest [internet/phone/insurance] plans in [city]. Table with price, contract and catches, with links.”
Find and buy the right product
Finds products that match your needs, tracks prices, and can check out after you confirm.
Example tools: Gemini Agent, Perplexity Comet, ChatGPT Work
Try it yourself: Ask: “Find 3 well-reviewed [item] under $100 and compare them. Don’t buy.” Only let it check out after you’ve read the cart.
Write client proposals
Researches a client and drafts a proposal with scope, timeline and price.
Example tools: ChatGPT Work, Claude (Cowork + computer use), Manus
Try it yourself: Ask: “Research [client company] and draft a one-page proposal for [service], with 3 package options.”
Run AI privately on your own computer
Use a free open model offline, so your chats and files never leave your device.
Example tools: Ollama, LM Studio
Try it yourself: Follow our 10-minute local AI guide: install LM Studio or Ollama and try a small model like Qwen 3.5 4B or Gemma 4 E2B. Read the guide →
Plan a month of social posts
Researches trends and drafts a posting calendar with captions.
EasyFree–$20/moWork
Example tools: Manus, ChatGPT Work
Try it yourself: Ask: “Make a 4-week Instagram plan for my [business], 3 posts a week, with captions and image ideas. Put it in a table.”