4 tips to choose the best AI tools

Why is it important to find suitable AI tools?

The best AI tools can efficiently work in the background and free up your time to focus on what’s important, while striving to deliver accurate results. Specialized AI tools exist to take on complex, time-consuming tasks—such as organizing citations in a scholarly work or removing unwanted elements in your photos. Having a roster of AI tools at your disposal can deliver the specialized results you’re looking for. As your work projects become more complex, AI tools can scale accordingly and help you meet changing demands and parameters.

AI tools vary in their accuracy and reliability. If you find that an AI tool isn’t delivering the results you’re looking for, first try a new AI prompt that can be more specific and personalized. And if that’s not working, switch AI tools and experiment with other solutions.

Tips for choosing AI tools that fit your needs

Here are some tips on how to find a new AI tool to test:

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Determine your ultimate needs and objectives

Before you start your search, be sure to define your objectives and the results that you’re looking for. What kind of writing are you looking to generate: an image caption, a social media post, or an essay outline? AI tools that are created to generate short-form content will produce different results if you’re looking for longer copy. Knowing the goals for your task can help determine which AI tool will produce the most effective results.

Pay attention to features

Some AI tools are designed to be integrated with the apps that you’re already using, and this can be a huge convenience. You won’t have to install an extension or copy and paste things across different apps—which can lead to errors in translation. Make sure that the AI tools you’re using are compatible with both your system’s processing power and the latest version of your software.

Consider an AI tool’s learning curve

The goal of generative AI is to make things easy. If you need to install additional software or do your own programming, not only can this add more time and effort, but it can also feel frustrating. Since some AI tools are easier to use and understand than others, aim for ones that offer single-click output or easy ways to enter prompts.

Double-check AI tools for accuracy

No matter how powerful AI tools may seem, they can still be prone to mistakes. Certain industries and tasks will emphasize accuracy first and foremost, and the legal aspects of AI can define what you can or can’t use in your final results. That’s why it’s vital to check the output of your AI tool for accuracy and precision. You can do this by conducting additional research or asking experts for advice. If your AI tool generates unwanted results, check its track record and user reviews, and switch if necessary.

The wrong AI tools for your results can take up time and get in the way of your workflow. Whether you’re asking AI to summarize an academic paper to more understandable language or helping you build better habits by analyzing your daily routine, check out more ways to integrate everyday AI into your life.