Ever wonder how staff at the big AI companies actually use AI themselves?

A new article from Google provides a peek behind the curtain at how Googlers are using Gen-AI tools like Gemini, Imagen, and NotebookLM to solve real problems and unlock new possibilities at work.

Yes, even Googlers are vibe-coding, and finding acceleration in their code output. And while you might not be a developer, the principle is universally applicable. Think of the repetitive tasks in your own work: drafting standard emails, summarizing long documents, or even organizing data.

The benefits extend far beyond technical roles. The article shares how marketing teams are leveraging AI to quickly brainstorm campaign ideas and create compelling content. This isn't just about speed; it’s about breaking through creative blocks and exploring new angles. Whether you’re a content creator struggling with writer's block or a project manager trying to find the perfect visual for a presentation, AI can act as a powerful springboard for your ideas. Similarly, teams are using AI to streamline administrative work, like summarizing meeting notes in an instant, ensuring that key decisions and action items are never lost.

Other points include glimpses on how the Google marketing team is playing with Gemini, how the HR team uses NotebookLM and AI tools for monitoring internal employee feedback and recruiting, how the YouTube team uses LLMs for headlines and descriptions, and even how Google’s in-house chefs use AI-driven insights to refine menus, leading to a 39% reduction in food waste.

To get a closer look at all the specific examples and find inspiration for your own work, we highly recommend reading the full article: 14 ways Googlers use AI to work smarter

This Week's Links of Note

• Trying to get a handle on the rapidly expanding universe of AI productivity tools? This list is an excellent starting point. The article provides a breakdown of some of the best AI tools available for a variety of tasks, from task management and graphic design to meeting transcriptions and unified messaging. It highlights well-known players like Notion AI and ChatGPT, as well as lesser-known but powerful options. Each entry includes a brief description of key features, making it easy to find the perfect AI assistant to streamline your workflow, whether you're a solo entrepreneur or part of a small team. READ IT HERE.

• The market is flooded with laptops, and finding the right one can feel overwhelming (we just went through that). This CNET guide provides clear, concise advice on everything from picking an operating system and understanding processor speeds to deciding how much RAM you really need. Whether you're a student looking for a budget-friendly option, a creative professional in need of power, or a business owner seeking reliability, this article helps you navigate the specs and find a laptop that perfectly suits your daily needs.

• Email outreach is vital in today’s marketer, and like a lot of things, generative AI is making it smarter and more effective than ever. This guide from HubSpot walks you through how to use AI to supercharge your email campaigns, from generating compelling subject lines and personalizing content to automating workflows and analyzing performance. It offers practical, actionable advice for businesses of all sizes, showing how AI can save time and effort while improving your open rates and customer engagement. Check it out here.

That’s it for this week. We hope these insights offer some practical ways to put technology to work for you - and that’s the true focus of this newsletter.

If you know a colleague or friend who could benefit from these tips, please forward this newsletter to them. We also welcome your feedback. Simply reply to this email with your thoughts or to suggest a topic for our next edition.

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See you in the future,
THE DEPT OF NEXT