Keep 4 Cut 4: AI TOOLS

AI Tool Evaluation & Selection – A Prioritization Strategy

Key Concepts: Agentic Automation, Large Language Models (LLMs), AI Tool Selection, Future-Proofing, Gemini, Manis, Midjourney, NotebookLM, Perplexity, Grock, Apple Intelligence, Sam Altman.

This evaluation focuses on a rapid assessment and prioritization of various Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, specifically within the realm of agentic automation and creative applications. The speaker is actively “cutting” or discarding tools deemed less valuable or trustworthy, and “keeping” those considered essential or promising for future development. The core strategy appears to be a blend of current capability assessment and speculative future-proofing.

Agentic Automation & Core Tools

The speaker identifies Manis as the “most capable solution right now in the agentic automation space.” This suggests Manis excels at autonomously performing tasks and workflows, a key feature of advanced AI applications. Agentic automation refers to AI systems that can independently set goals, plan actions, and execute them without constant human intervention. The strong endorsement of Manis implies it currently leads in this functionality.

Conversely, ChatGPT is immediately “cut,” accompanied by a statement of distrust towards its creator, Sam Altman. This indicates a concern regarding the long-term direction or ethical considerations associated with OpenAI and its products, despite ChatGPT’s widespread popularity. The reasoning isn’t elaborated upon, but it’s a decisive rejection based on personal conviction.

Perplexity is also discarded, with the assessment that it “isn’t a future.” This suggests the speaker doesn’t believe Perplexity, a conversational search engine, will maintain relevance or offer sufficient innovation to remain a valuable tool in the evolving AI landscape.

Grock, however, is “kept” despite potentially lacking current dominance. The rationale is a “betting on the future” approach, anticipating significant changes and believing Grock possesses the potential to capitalize on them. This demonstrates a willingness to invest in tools with high speculative upside.

Creative Tools & Integration

Midjourney receives a negative evaluation: “I don’t understand how Midjourney is still a thing.” This implies the speaker finds Midjourney, a text-to-image AI, to be outdated or lacking in competitive advantages compared to newer alternatives. The statement suggests a preference for more advanced or versatile creative AI tools.

NotebookLM is retained, with the expectation of future satisfaction. NotebookLM is a note-taking application powered by Google’s Gemini models, designed to help users organize and understand information. Keeping it suggests a belief in its potential for enhanced knowledge management and AI-assisted research.

Gemini & Apple Intelligence – Strategic Positioning

The speaker anticipates Gemini’s inclusion in the toolset and actively seeks to ensure access. The reasoning is particularly insightful: Apple Intelligence is initially considered, but then strategically leveraged as a pathway to Gemini. The speaker notes Apple’s recent deal with Gemini, concluding that utilizing Apple Intelligence will effectively provide access to Gemini’s capabilities. This demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the AI ecosystem and a proactive approach to securing desired functionality through strategic partnerships and integrations.

Logical Flow & Overall Strategy

The evaluation follows a clear pattern: rapid assessment, decisive action (keeping or cutting), and justification based on either current capabilities or future potential. The speaker prioritizes tools aligned with their vision of the future AI landscape, demonstrating a willingness to discard popular options based on personal conviction and strategic foresight. The focus on agentic automation and the deliberate pursuit of Gemini access highlight a specific interest in advanced AI functionalities and a commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology.

Main Takeaways

The primary takeaway is a pragmatic and forward-looking approach to AI tool selection. The speaker isn’t simply choosing the most popular tools; they are actively curating a toolkit based on perceived long-term value, personal trust, and strategic integration opportunities. The emphasis on agentic automation and the prioritization of Gemini suggest a focus on AI systems capable of autonomous operation and advanced reasoning.