AI for Efficiency in the Startup World

Answers to every question you may have are at your fingertips. From instant research to document summaries and coding help, AI can supercharge your workflow. Whether you need to generate blog posts, draft contracts, or analyze data, AI makes it effortless. With AI agents automating tasks, getting things done efficiently has never been easier.

At WWV Labs, we use Perplexity, Anthropic, and ChatGPT every day. We make our decks with Gamma, have Fireflies AI take call notes, and listen to long PDF documents turned into audio in ElevenReader. However, we are still behind in this regard and are making a concerted effort to explore and integrate new AI tools into our workflows.

AI tools are still frowned upon by most professors, but it is truly amazing how few ChatGPT windows I see open on others' computers, even at a school like Harvard. Anytime I am on my computer, I have an AI window open 100% of the time—whether it is to ask quick questions, edit emails, or extract and organize data from images and PDFs. At this point, you should be constantly thinking and experimenting with AI tools to optimize your efficiency.

It might be helpful to do two things: (1) rethink how you work—are you using AI to assist you? What tasks could it help with that you are not leveraging it for already? (2) Be highly open to trying out new AI tools. Adaptability to these tools is key. It is always fascinating to observe how older generations struggle to use smartphones simply because they lacked exposure when they were younger. Building familiarity with AI tools now and critically thinking about their applications will be essential for shaping how we work in the next generation.

Here is a quick summary, just scratching the surface of common AI use cases, followed by a list of AI tools you should consider exploring!

1. Get Instant Answers and Insights

• Research in seconds – Use AI-powered search to get direct, actionable insights on market trends, competitors, and investor expectations.

• Summarize dense documents – AI can break down legal contracts, whitepapers, and reports so you can focus on key takeaways.

• Debug and write code faster – AI coding assistants help troubleshoot errors, generate snippets, and automate repetitive tasks.

2. Automate Content, Communication, and Operations

• Create and refine content – AI can generate blog posts, LinkedIn updates, and sales pitches in seconds, saving hours of work.

• Automate meeting notes and emails – AI-powered transcription tools capture key takeaways from meetings, while AI can draft and refine professional emails.

• Streamline repetitive tasks – AI chatbots handle customer inquiries, AI-generated reports organize data, and AI-powered presentation tools create polished decks instantly.

3. Learn New Skills and Scale Your Work Faster

• Pick up technical skills quickly – AI helps non-technical employees learn to code, analyze data, and generate insights effortlessly.

• Enhance design and visuals – AI-powered tools create product images, social media graphics, and branding assets without design experience.

• Repurpose and scale content – AI transforms long-form content into tweets, newsletters, or short videos, amplifying your reach with minimal effort.

AI Tools to Explore

General Assistance

1. Perplexity – AI-powered search engine

2. Anthropic – General chatbot, great for projects

3. ChatGPT – Advanced Voice Mode lets you talk to AI

Get Work Done

1. Granola – AI notetaker that listens to your meetings

2. Wispr Flow – AI voice dictation speech into text

3. Gamma – Make decks, docs, and websites

4. Adobe – Summarize and chat with PDFs

5. Lindy – Build AI agents to automate your workflows

Build an Audience

1. Delphi – AI for text, voice, and video

2. HeyGen – AI Avatars to scale content production

3. Argil (YC S24) – AI avatars for social media videos

4. Overlap (YC S24) – Convert long-form videos into shorts

5. Persona – AI agent builder for creators

6. Captions – AI avatars and video editing

Build a Product

1. Cursor – AI code editor that knows your codebase

2. Replit – AI agents to make apps from natural language

3. AnyChat – Use any AI model in one place

4. Codeium – AI-powered autocomplete for your code

Get Creative

1. ElevenLabs – Realistic AI voices

2. Suno – Create songs/music from text prompts

3. Midjourney – AI image generation

4. KLING AI – AI video generation

5. Krea.ai – AI creative canvas to make images

6. Photoroom – AI image editor, great for product photos

Learn or Grow

1. Rosebud – Interactive journal

2. Good Inside – Parenting co-pilot

3. Ada Health – Assessments of medical symptoms

4. Particle – AI news app

Have Fun

1. Remix AI – Social app for sharing AI images

2. Meta Imagine – Make AI images in Meta apps

3. Grok – Chatbot from xAI

4. Curio – Toys for kids to talk to, powered by AI voices

AI Tool Recommendations courtesy of a16z and Kevin Jurovich