AI Cocktails: What's Your Pour?

Plus: How to juggle AI Costs to Fit Your Budget

Mastering AI isn't about just using ChatGPT—it's about crafting the perfect AI cocktail.

Every AI mixologist needs a well-stocked bar. Here are some of my favorite ingredients:

• Claude 3.5 Sonnet: My go-to for deep thinking and complex tasks

• Canva: For whipping up quick, professional designs

• MidJourney: When I need eye-catching, original visuals

• Gamma: To transform ideas into slick presentations

• HeyGen or Synthesia: For creating polished videos with simulated presenters

But that's just the start. The real fun? Experimenting. A dash of this, a sprinkle of that, a spritz of something new. 🍸️ 🍋 🍾 

Sure, it might feel chaotic at first. Wasn't AI supposed to simplify things? It will—once you've done the legwork to find your favorite combos.

The key? Stay curious. Mix and match. Learn each tool's strengths and how they play together.

And yes, mind the price tag. Balance capability with cost. Blend free with paid. (Check out our pricing 'crib sheet' below.)

With practice, you'll develop a sixth sense for the perfect AI blend. You'll instinctively know which tools to deploy for any challenge.

Remember: It's not about mastering every tool—it's about mastering the right combination.

Ready to mix things up?🍹 

AI SMORGASBORD

Melbourne Lawyer in Trouble Thanks to AI: A Melbourne lawyer has been referred to the Victorian legal complaints body after admitting to using artificial intelligence software in a family court case that generated false case citations and caused a hearing to be adjourned.

British computer scientist Professor Demis Hassabis has won a share of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry for "revolutionary" AI-led work on proteins, the building blocks of life. Prof Hassabis, 48, co-founded the artificial intelligence (AI) company that became Google DeepMind

The AI power players: The future of artificial intelligence isn’t just being built in research labs—it’s being shaped by a small circle of power players who control the capital, strategy, and vision of the industry’s biggest breakthroughs. Meet the movers who are deciding the direction of the world’s most transformative technology.

AI MADE EASY

Confession: I made this video about 9-months ago; a lifetime in the world of AI. Yet, it’s still a good example of an AI cocktail 🍸️ in this case to produce an Onboarding Manual. Tools mentioned: Google Bard (now Gemini), Grammarly, and Typeset. The video itself was created using Hey Gen with some design tweaks in Canva.

THROUGH A-EYES

Below is a menu of some different AI tool combinations. There are endless possible permutations, so as always, these are suggestions, not prescriptions!

I used a new AI tool, Infography to create this infographic automatically (I usually create them manually). The results were solid if a bit glitchy; editing options are limited and I used Canva to add extra design elements. However, this is the first time I’ve come across a tool with potential in this space, so I’ll be watching for upgrades. PS The downloadable version is clearer.

A Taster Menu of AI Cocktails9.32 MB • PDF File

AI TOOLKIT

Your AI tool “mix” shouldn’t be too constrained by cost. There are smart ways to manage even a tight budget. The tool market is very competitive, and it’s possible to use, or at least trial apps for free; subscribe on reasonable terms, and cancel easily. My advice:

  1. Always try free or freemium plans first, until fit and value are proven

  2. If that isn’t enough, then subscribe for a month or two, to test it further

  3. If you love the tool and feel you’ll stick with it, consider purchasing a discounted annual license

  4. But if you are going to use it only periodically, buy it monthly, and cancel or pause when not needed. Consider ‘batch production.”

  5. Check out software marketplaces like App Sumo where you can pick up bargain lifetime licenses with credit rebates given within a 60-day return window.

  6. Evolve your tool stack. Add, cancel, switch, and try new tools, while tracking costs on a rolling basis. For example, I’ve bought nearly 20 tools on an annual or lifetime license, 10 or so are on monthly subs, and 30+ sit in my “canceled” tracker.

AI Tool Pricing Crib Sheet46.34 KB • PDF File

AI@WORKFLOW

Today’s persona is Michael, a “career transitioner.” Michael is an ex-teacher moving into independent corporate training. He plans to leverage AI from the get-go to differentiate his offering and hopefully gain a competitive advantage. Michael uses a mix of tools across his workflow.

FREE RESOURCES

Keep an eye on our Free Digital Library of high-value e-books, reports, and infographics. We add something new each week.

Also, check out our YouTube channel where you’ll find a collection of our published videos.

IBM: AI For Everyone: Master the Basics. A Free (unaffiliated) course from IBM

For those of you who are interested in getting regular AI tech and company updates Matt Wolfe hosts a terrific channel on YouTube.

CURIOUS CAT

Meet Jackson Barn Cat a.k.a. JBC, office manager, resident AI-whisperer, and all-around curious cat. Each week he’ll nose bop a new challenge 😺

MIX AN AI COCKTAIL:

Pick something you’ve never done before. Make a video. Or create an e-book. Or generate a presentation on Climate Change … anything that captures your interest.

Break it into elements: structure, copy, design, illustrations, etc.

Now explore tool options. You can revisit this newsletter for a list of tool directories, or just ask AI.

Once you find a promising tool, get stuck in. You’ll only understand what it can and can’t do, and which gaps other tools will need to fill, through trial and error.

THE LAST WORD

How Would You Rate Us So Far?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

If you know anyone who might enjoy more content like this, we’d be delighted if you would share this newsletter with them 🙂 Word of mouth is our best growth engine 💯 http://www.ai-foreveryone.com