7 AI Tools Your Digital Team Can Start Using Today

Ralph Otto Chief Product Officer

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May 16, 2024

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Earlier this year, we mentioned that we had adopted several AI friends to help us do our work. Integrating AI into our work is not just adopting a trend; it’s a shift in how we operate that’s setting new benchmarks for efficiency, effectiveness, and insight.

Microsoft and LinkedIn released a fantastic article earlier this month in their 2024 Work Trend Index Annual Report. This report highlights the rapid adoption of AI in the workplace, signaling that the future is now for many teams. If your digital team has not formally embraced AI, now’s the time! These tools are about keeping pace and leveraging technology to carve out a competitive edge.

At COLAB, AI is increasingly becoming a staple due to its ability to analyze information, gather research, automate mundane tasks, and act as a thought partner in knowledge work. We have a mix of formally and informally adopted tools, many of which are still in experimental use.

The tools shared in this article are the ones we chosen to explore more formally at COLAB. They were selected for their mature algorithms and training, strong market presence/adoption, and the level of innovation of their parent companies.

ChatGPT 4: All Purpose

ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, is a state-of-the-art AI chat tool that can understand and generate human-like text. GPT has seen wide adoption across various industries for its ability to assist in drafting emails, developing content, analyzing data, and more.

We have been using ChatGPT 4, the latest iteration, which offers several enhancements over its predecessors, making it a valuable tool for digital teams. The paid version of ChatGPT allows for a much higher message limit, image generation via Dall-E, file analysis, and web browsing.

If you were going to pay for one AI tool, this would be the recommendation. 

ChatGPT Features We Love

Enhanced Context Understanding

ChatGPT 4 has a superior grasp of context compared to previous versions. This improvement means it can produce more coherent and relevant responses, making interactions smoother and more productive.

Multimodal Capabilities

One of ChatGPT 4’s revolutionary features is its ability to understand multiple input types. This multimodal capability allows it to process and respond to complex inputs more effectively, broadening its applicability.

Improved Creativity and Collaboration

GPT-4 is more creative than previous models. It excels at generating, editing, and iterating on creative and technical writing tasks, which can significantly enhance team brainstorming and content creation processes.

Greater Precision in Technical Tasks

The latest model shows improved mathematical, scientific, and logical reasoning performance. This development makes it particularly useful for teams requiring precise and accurate output in these areas (e.g., Web Development).

Always-Improving Assistant

ChatGPT 4 is continuously updated and refined, ensuring it continues to lead the pack with its cutting-edge capabilities. This improvement translates into better performance and more reliable assistance for all team members.

Practical Applications of ChatGPT

• Initial Research: Gather high-level research on specific topics instead of Googling.
• Content Creation: Generate high-quality content for blogs, social media, and marketing campaigns.
• Data Analysis: Analyze large datasets to derive insights and inform decision-making processes.
• Customer Support: Provide more accurate and helpful real-time responses to customer inquiries.
• Coding Assistance: Help developers write, debug, and optimize code. Just don’t submit any proprietary code or API keys 😅.

Learn More

Learn More About ChatGPT for Teams

GitHub Copilot: Developers

GitHub Copilot, developed by GitHub in collaboration with OpenAI, is an AI-powered code completion tool. It integrates seamlessly into popular code editors such as Visual Studio Code, providing real-time code suggestions based on the context of the current project.

Copilot Features We Love

Enhanced Productivity

GitHub Copilot significantly boosts productivity by offering code suggestions and completions as developers type. These suggestions reduce the time spent writing boilerplate code. It allows developers to focus on their work’s more complex and creative aspects.

Context-Aware Assistance

Copilot’s deep integration with the code editor enables it to understand the code’s context. It can suggest entire lines or blocks of code that fit seamlessly with existing code structures, ensuring coherence and reducing errors.

Learning and Skill Development

GitHub Copilot serves as an educational tool for less experienced developers. By observing the suggestions and understanding their rationale, developers can learn best practices and new coding techniques directly within their development environment.

Support for Multiple Languages and Frameworks

GitHub Copilot supports various programming languages and frameworks, making it versatile for multiple project types. Whether you’re working with JavaScript, Python, Ruby, or other languages, Copilot provides relevant and accurate code suggestions.

Practical Applications of Copilot

• Code Generation: Automatically generate repetitive or standard code, such as CRUD operations, saving time and reducing redundancies.
• Debugging Assistance: Identify and suggest fixes for common errors, helping to maintain code quality and reliability.
• Documentation: Suggest inline comments and documentation snippets, promoting better code understanding and maintenance.
• Complex Algorithms: Offer solutions and optimizations for complex algorithms, aiding problem-solving and improving code efficiency.

Example

Consider a web developer working on a new feature involving user authentication. Instead of manually writing all the necessary code from scratch, GitHub Copilot can suggest templates and snippets for user login, registration, and password management. This scaffolding speeds up the development process and ensures that best practices are in place.

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Learn More About Github CoPilot

Adobe Firefly: Design/Marketing

Adobe Firefly is a generative AI tool designed to enhance the creative process for individuals and teams. Available as both a standalone web application and an embedded model in Adobe’s suite of tools, Firefly leverages advanced AI capabilities to assist in ideation, creation, and communication. It is particularly beneficial for content creation, offering safe and scalable solutions for commercial use. The last bit is essential: safe and scalable solutions for commercial use. Adobe has done an excellent job training its AI on Adobe Stock images, openly licensed content, and public domain content. We use it because it’s designed for creative professionals and is safe for client use.

Note: We have informally been trialing Midjourney, which generates images very well but doesn’t feel as safe for commercial applications due to its training on copyrighted materials. Many of the graphic generation AIs we’ve used are limited and look AI-generated (particularly with interface design).

Firefly Features We Love

Generative Image Creation

Firefly allows users to generate high-quality images from text prompts. The latest Firefly Image 3 model offers improved detail and a better understanding of text prompts and scenes. It enables designers to create visually rich and accurate representations of their ideas.

Integration with Adobe Tools

Firefly integrates with Adobe’s Creative Cloud, including applications like Photoshop and Illustrator. This integration provides UX/UI designers with powerful tools to enhance their workflows, such as object addition, removal, and generative extension features. Illustrator’s vector generation blew my mind.

Customizable for Brand Consistency

For enterprise use, Firefly is customizable to align with specific brand guidelines. Brand styles ensure that all generated content maintains brand consistency and meets the unique needs of different projects.

Practical Application of Firefly

Rapid Prototyping

Firefly enables designers to prototype visual elements quickly by generating images and components based on textual descriptions. AI prototyping accelerates the ideation phase and allows for more iterations in less time.

Enhanced Creativity and Exploration

By providing a platform for experimentation, Firefly helps designers explore creative possibilities without the constraints of traditional design processes. Designers can generate multiple concept variations and choose the most suitable one for further development.

Efficient Asset Creation

The ability to generate assets on demand reduces the time spent searching for or creating specific visual elements. Quick generations allow designers to focus on the user experience and interface design rather than repetitive tasks.

Improved Collaboration

With Firefly, design teams can collaborate more effectively by sharing generated assets and design concepts in real time. This interchange fosters a more dynamic and interactive design process, facilitating better communication and idea exchange.

Example

A UX/UI designer working on a web application can use Firefly to generate placeholder images and icons based on brief descriptions. For instance, typing “modern login screen with biometric options” could yield several design variations, allowing the designer to prototype and refine the best option rapidly. A faster initial design phase will enable the team to identify additional considerations designers can integrate into the prototype from the outset.

Learn More

Learn More About Adobe Firefly

Atlassian Intelligence: Product/Project Management

Atlassian AI enhances project management and team collaboration tools by integrating AI across its suite. This AI-driven solution streamlines workflows, enhances team collaboration, and improves project outcomes through intelligent automation and insights.

Atlassian Intelligence Features We Love

Intelligent Automation

Atlassian Intelligence automates routine tasks such as updating project statuses, assigning tasks, and generating reports. This automation allows project managers and coordinators to concentrate on planning and problem-solving rather than administrative work.

Enhanced Decision-Making

With real-time data analysis and predictive analytics, Atlassian Intelligence provides actionable insights that help project managers make informed decisions. These insights can identify potential risks, track project progress, and suggest improvements to optimize performance.

Improved Collaboration

Atlassian Intelligence enhances team collaboration by facilitating better communication and coordination. It integrates seamlessly with tools like Jira, Confluence, and Trello, ensuring that all team members can access the same information and collaborate effectively from any location.

Practical Applications of Atlassian Intelligence

• Task Management: Atlassian AI automatically prioritizes tasks based on deadlines, dependencies, and team capacity. This sorting ensures the team can address high-priority tasks and efficiently assign team members.
• Risk Management: Atlassian AI can predict potential risks and provide mitigation recommendations by analyzing historical project data and current trends. This proactive approach helps avoid delays and ensure project success.
• Reporting and Analytics: AI-powered reporting tools generate comprehensive reports on project metrics such as progress, budget adherence, and team performance. These reports offer valuable insights that assist project managers in monitoring project health and making data-driven decisions.

Example

Consider a project manager overseeing a software development project. By utilizing Atlassian AI, they can automate task assignments based on team skill sets and workloads. The AI system can also predict potential bottlenecks and suggest reallocating resources or adjusting timelines to maintain project momentum. Additionally, real-time dashboards provide visibility into project status, enabling the manager to address any emerging issues quickly.

Learn More

Learn More About Atlassian’s AI

Fireflies.ai: Sales/Project Teams

Not to be confused with Adobe Firefly, Fireflies.ai revolutionizes meeting management by offering an AI-driven assistant that can join meetings, take notes, and provide summaries and action items. It integrates with popular video conferencing tools, making it a valuable asset for remote and hybrid teams.

Fireflies.ai Features We Love

Automatic Transcription

Fireflies.ai provides accurate, automatic transcription of meetings, making it quick and easy to review and share insights. Fireflies eliminates manual note-taking, allowing team members to focus more on the conversation.

Searchable Meeting Records

Transcriptions are stored in a searchable database, enabling team members to find specific discussions or decisions made during meetings quickly. This feature is handy for tracking action items and following up on commitments.

Actionable Insights

The platform analyzes meeting transcripts to identify key themes, action items, and decisions. Insights help teams stay organized and ensure that essential takeaways are clear.

Seamless Integration

Fireflies.ai integrates with popular collaboration tools such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Slack. This seamless integration ensures the AI assistant fits naturally into existing workflows, enhancing its utility without disrupting established processes.

Practical Applications of Fireflies.ai

We use Fireflies.ai in sales and client projects to help us snag the right takeaways and ensure we have everything.

Sales Teams

• Enhanced Client Communication: Sales teams can use Fireflies.ai to keep detailed records of client interactions, ensuring that all customer preferences and concerns are accurately documented and addressed.
• Training and Development: By analyzing sales calls, managers can ID areas for improvement and provide coaching to their sales representatives.
• Follow-Up Efficiency: Automatic transcriptions and action item tracking simplifies follow-up processes, ensuring the team captures all to-dos.

Project Teams

• Improved Collaboration: With searchable transcripts and summaries, project teams can get everyone on the same page, promoting better communication and coordination.
• Documentation and Compliance: Fireflies.ai helps maintain thorough documentation of project meetings, essential for compliance and record-keeping purposes.
• Task Management: The platform’s ability to track action items ensures that responsibilities and deadlines are clearly defined.

Example

Consider a project team managing a complex software development project. Fireflies.ai automatically records and transcribes each meeting, capturing critical discussions about project milestones, technical challenges, and task assignments. Team members can revisit these transcripts to clarify any ambiguities, ensuring everyone understands their responsibilities and the project’s current status. This efficiency allows for more effective project execution and minimizes the risk of miscommunication.

Learn More

Learn More About Fireflies

Jasper.ai: Marketing/Copywriting

Jasper.ai is an advanced AI-powered writing assistant designed to streamline content creation for marketers and copywriters. Leveraging sophisticated language models, Jasper.ai generates high-quality, in-brand text that caters to diverse marketing needs, from blog posts to social media content to email campaigns to product descriptions.

Jasper.ai Features We Love

Enhanced Productivity

Jasper.ai significantly boosts productivity by automating the initial drafting process. Rapid drafts allow marketers and copywriters to focus on refining and optimizing content rather than spending extensive time on initial drafts.

Consistency in Brand Voice

The platform enables users to maintain a consistent brand voice across all content. By inputting specific guidelines and preferences, Jasper.ai produces content that aligns with the brand’s tone and style, ensuring uniformity across various channels.

Time Efficiency

With Jasper.ai, content creation becomes faster and more efficient. The AI can quickly generate multiple variations of copy, providing a range of options that can be edited and finalized in less time than traditional methods. Further, Jasper provides tools like templates to streamline time-consuming assets like those required to run a broad campaign.

Creativity and Ideation

Jasper.ai aids in brainstorming and creative processes by suggesting innovative ideas and fresh perspectives. This third-party “advice” is particularly beneficial for overcoming writer’s block and generating unique content that captivates the audience.

SEO Optimization

The tool includes features that help optimize content for search engines, ensuring that the generated text meets SEO best practices. This increases the content’s visibility and drives more organic traffic to websites.

Practical Applications of Jasper.ai

Marketers

• Content Marketing: Generate engaging blog posts, articles, and social media posts that resonate with their audiences.
• Email Campaigns: Create compelling email copy that drives engagement and conversions tailored to different audience segments.
• Ad Copy: Develop persuasive ad copy that captures attention and encourages action, whether for digital ads or traditional media.

Copywriters

• Website Content: Craft informative and persuasive content that enhances user experience and supports business objectives.
• Product/Service Descriptions: Write detailed and appealing product or service descriptions highlighting features and benefits, boosting sales and customer interest.
• Script Writing: Produce scripts for videos, podcasts, and other multimedia content that are coherent and engaging.

Example

Consider a marketing team tasked with launching a new product. Using Jasper.ai, the team can quickly generate various marketing materials, such as blog posts announcing the product, social media updates to build anticipation, and email campaigns to inform existing customers. The team can ensure a cohesive and impactful product launch by providing consistent and high-quality content across all platforms.

Learn More

Learn More About Jasper.ai

Chatspot: Teams That Use Hubspot

Finally, HubSpot ChatSpot is an AI-powered conversational assistant specifically designed to optimize the workflows of marketing and sales teams. ChatSpot helps teams engage more effectively with their audience, streamline operations, and drive growth.

Chatspot Features We Love

Content Creation

Craft compelling email subject lines, engaging blog post titles, insightful LinkedIn articles, detailed buyer personas, and drafts for blog posts or sales emails. Tailor your content with specifics about your desired topic and adopt a tone that aligns with your brand’s personality.

Image Generation

Design visuals for your website and social media platforms, choosing from templates that define your desired aesthetic.

Prospecting Tools

Gather insights on company demographics such as age, size, industry, location, technology utilization, website domains, SEO standings, competitors, and recent news. Set up alerts to receive timely updates about companies of interest straight to your inbox.

HubSpot Assistance

Pose queries to ChatSpot for expert responses, leveraging HubSpot Academy and HubSpot Knowledge Base resources.

CRM Management

Efficiently create, summarize, assign, or update records for contacts, companies, deals, and tickets. Manage notes and tasks associated with these records to keep your CRM organized.

Reporting and Surveys

Generate comprehensive summaries of your account data, create detailed reports with specific filters, or design surveys to gather valuable feedback.

Practical Applications of Chatspot

• Campaign Content: Automates content creation during marketing campaigns, ensuring consistent communication and increasing engagement rates.
• Enhanced Sequences: Review your outbound emails to identify opportunities for higher engagement.
• Sales Support: Get instant answers on live calls to focus on the customer and the conversation rather than real-time googling.

Example

A marketing team launching a new product line can leverage HubSpot’s ChatSpot AI to enhance its campaign. The team ensures consistent and timely communication with their audience by automating content creation for emails and social media updates. The team can then concentrate on campaign performance and make data-driven adjustments. This combination of automation and insight helps the team effectively engage with customers and optimize their marketing strategy for better results.

Learn More

Learn More About ChatSpot

Conclusion

Incorporating AI tools into your digital team’s workflow can significantly enhance productivity, creativity, and efficiency. Each of the seven AI tools discussed offers unique features that address various aspects of the digital team’s daily performance. 

Whether it’s Copilot writing code, Firefly creating imagery, Atlassian Intelligence creating an agenda, Fireflies summarizing your meeting, Jasper generating in-brand copy, or Chatspot gathering prospect details, there’s something for everyone in the AI ecosystem. What is most exciting is that the best tools may have yet to hit the market!

By embracing these AI-powered solutions, we have more focus and concentration in our every day work, making the decisions only humans can. We hope this article helps you and your team try some new tools. If you’d like to ask us questions or learn more about our more experimental uses of AI, let us know. We’re living in exciting times!