Course 1 - Module 3 - Lesson 2
Choose the right helper instead of collecting shiny tools
Everyday AI Playground
Describe the job before choosing a tool
Begin with the material you have and the result you need. A recorded interview needs accurate transcription before it needs attractive slides. A spreadsheet with fixed formulas may need ordinary calculation rather than a conversational assistant. The task should guide the choice.
Write a short list of requirements: supported input, useful output, privacy needs, accessibility, export format, and cost you can sustain. A tool that produces impressive demonstrations may still fail because you cannot edit or export its result.
Run a small, fair comparison
Suppose you need help turning public workshop notes into a handout. Give two available helpers the same notes and the same brief. Judge whether they preserve the instructions, use clear language, and produce an editable document. Include the time you spend fixing mistakes.
You might find that the simplest editor plus a chat assistant beats a larger tool for this job. Keep a sample input and your scoring criteria so future comparisons use the same standard. Avoid changing both the brief and the tool during the trial.
Count the hidden work
Setup, uploading, correcting, downloading, and teaching colleagues all take time. Check whether your existing workplace tools already provide the capability. Before entering private material, check the applicable data settings and your organization's rules for that specific service.
Adopt a tool for a named task and review the choice after a few uses. Stop using it if the corrections cost more than the benefit. A smaller collection of reliable helpers is easier to learn and maintain.
Tiny experiment
Make a five-row scorecard for a workshop handout helper. Include accuracy, editing effort, export format, privacy fit, and total time required.
Confidence check
What requirement would immediately rule out a tool, even if its demonstration looked impressive?