Table of Contents
Over the next couple of Weeks, I will be sharing tips on How You can use Artificial Intelligence to become more Productive.
In this Article, I will introduce the Core Concepts in Plain English, then over the subsequent articles, we will explore How You can use these tools to put your Productivity on Steroids.
Core Concepts in Plain English
Artificial Intelligence sounds complex, but most productivity tools rely on four building blocks:
- Machine Learning (ML) — systems that get better with data. Think spam filters that learn your inbox.
- Natural Language Processing (NLP) — tech that understands and generates human language. The engine behind smart email writers and chatbots.
- Computer Vision (CV) — algorithms that “see.” Useful for scanning receipts, reading handwriting, and checking quality on assembly lines.
- Robotic Process Automation (RPA) — software bots that mimic mouse clicks and keystrokes. Perfect for high-volume, rule-based tasks such as form filling.
You don’t need to code these from scratch. You just need to know which one solves your problem.
Off-the-Shelf vs. Custom Tools
- Off-the-Shelf: Zapier, Notion AI, Microsoft Copilot. Quick to deploy, subscription pricing, limited customization.
- Custom: Integrating an open-source model with your database. Higher upfront effort, but tailor-made for your workflow and data privacy needs.
A small team usually starts off-the-shelf, then layers custom pieces once ROI is clear.
Choosing the Right Stack for Non-Technical Users
Ask three questions:
- Problem Fit — Does the tool remove a time-killer or revenue leak?
- Ease of Setup — Can you launch in days, not months?
- Total Cost — Add license fees, training, and maintenance. Cheap tooling that eats staff hours is expensive.
Use no-code platforms as glue: Make.com, Airtable, n8n. They bridge gaps without JavaScript headaches.
Integration Beats Isolation
AI works best when connected:
- Link your CRM with an AI email writer to auto-draft follow-ups.
- Connect calendar data to a scheduling bot that proposes meeting times.
- Feed support tickets into an NLP model to surface common pain points.
Think in workflows, not standalone apps.
Key Takeaways
- Four core AI blocks—ML, NLP, CV, RPA—cover most productivity needs.
- Start with off-the-shelf tools; customize only when value is proven.
- Evaluate solutions by problem fit, setup speed, and total cost, not buzzwords.
- Maximum leverage comes from integrating tools into end-to-end workflows.
Action Points
- List your top three repetitive tasks this week.
- Map each task to the AI block that could solve it (ML, NLP, CV, RPA).
- Pick one no-code tool (e.g., Zapier) and create a free account.
- Build a simple automation that saves at least 30 minutes per day.
- Track the time saved for one week; decide if deeper integration is justified.
I will see You in the next article.
Dr. Oluwaseun Ogunmola
https://linktr.ee/seun.ogunmola
