You ever use something and go, “Wait… how the hell did it just do that?”
Yeah, that’s exactly how I felt the first time I used ChatGPT to write a college assignment, ElevenLabs to clone my voice, and Notion AI to make a 3-day to-do list in 3 seconds.
We’re living in a time where AI tools are basically wizardry with Wi-Fi. Except these wizards don’t wear robes. They wear… server racks?
So I thought — why gatekeep? Let me give you the inside scoop on the AI tools that feel like magic but are also super useful, not just some gimmicky “type your age and we’ll guess your future” apps.
Whether you’re a student, creator, small biz owner, or just someone who loves pressing buttons and watching tech do miracles — this post is for you.
Let’s dive in 🔮
1. ChatGPT – Your Brain… But With Better Grammar
Let’s get the obvious one out of the way.
ChatGPT is the Swiss Army knife of the AI world. Essays? Done. Emails? Drafted. Business names? Generated. Breakup texts? Sadly, yes.
I once asked it to write a birthday message for my cousin and it wrote a full 3-paragraph emotional speech like we were in a Karan Johar movie. I cried reading it. So did my cousin. Win-win.
Cool Stuff You Can Do:
- Write scripts, tweets, blogs (like this one 👀)
- Summarize long articles (because who has time for 20-minute Medium pieces)
- Translate like a polyglot uncle at a wedding
Magic Level: 9/10
Human Replacement Potential: Terrifyingly high
2. ElevenLabs – Turn Text Into Realistic Voice (Creepy Good)
Okay, this one low-key freaked me out.
ElevenLabs lets you type text and converts it into super realistic voiceovers. I tested it with a script and made it sound like Morgan Freeman explaining my college crush timeline. Was it useful? No. Was it hilarious? Absolutely.
But if you’re a YouTuber, podcaster, or someone too lazy to record voiceovers – this is your guy.
What You Can Do:
- Clone your voice (yes, yours)
- Create voiceovers for videos, audiobooks, even memes
- Narrate stuff in like 40 different accents
Magic Level: 10/10
Creep Level: Also 10/10 if your friend uses it to fake call your crush
3. Notion AI – Like Google Docs on Steroids
I already used Notion for taking notes, but Notion AI took it to the next level. I just typed “Make me a weekly study plan” and boom — it gave me a schedule that looked like it was made by a Harvard productivity coach.
I mean, did I follow it? No. But the fact that it could is already impressive.
Why It’s Awesome:
- Generates meeting notes, blog outlines, and even creative ideas
- Corrects grammar like Grammarly but without the passive-aggressive tone
- Helps you brainstorm stuff even when your brain is on airplane mode
Magic Level: 8.5/10
Use Case: Students, productivity nerds, or overthinkers like me
4. Runway ML – Video Editing for People With No Patience
Look, I suck at video editing. But Runway ML made me feel like Tarantino with a mouse.
You literally upload a raw video and it helps you:
- Remove background (without a green screen!)
- Cut clips using just text commands
- Add visual effects that make your 720p reel look like a Netflix original
Best part? It has a “remove object” tool that’s so smooth it can erase your ex from your old travel video. (Don’t ask how I know.)
Magic Level: 9.3/10
Who Should Use It: Content creators, editors, influencers, and anyone who likes making things look cooler than they are
5. Krisp.ai – Kill Background Noise Like a Ninja
If you’ve ever been on a Zoom call where someone’s dog, fan, baby, or entire neighborhood is making noise… this app is the solution.
Krisp.ai cancels background noise in real time. Like actually, not like those fake filters that make everything sound like a robot stuck in a blender.
Why It Slaps:
- Mutes your background noise and the other person’s
- Perfect for meetings, podcasts, and gaming rage sessions
- Helps you sound like you’re in a studio, even if you’re in a chai shop
Magic Level: 8/10
Extra Points For: Saving careers one online interview at a time
6. Durable.co – Make a Full Website in 30 Seconds
No cap, this blew my mind.
I typed “I run a digital marketing agency,” hit Enter, and within 30 seconds Durable built a full website with text, layout, call-to-action buttons and even SEO tags. I just sat there like, “Am I… jobless now?”
Perfect for freelancers, hustlers, and people who say “I’ll build a website this weekend” every weekend.
Why It’s Crazy:
- It literally does in 30 seconds what takes humans 3 days and 6 cups of coffee
- No coding needed
- You can edit the design after it builds — full drag-and-drop style
Magic Level: 10/10
Threat to Web Devs: Medium-high 😬
7. Remove.bg – Remove Image Backgrounds in 2 Seconds
I’ve been using Photoshop since I was like 14, but even today removing backgrounds is the biggest headache.
Remove.bg said “hold my beer” and just lets you upload an image and remove the background perfectly in one click. No subscription, no drama.
Why It’s Useful:
- Makes profile pics look clean AF
- Helps with thumbnails, product images, memes
- Saves you from crying in Photoshop at 2AM
Magic Level: 8.8/10
Bonus: There’s also a “blur background” tool to fake that DSLR look 📸
8. Cleanup.pictures – Erase Unwanted Objects from Photos
This tool is literally what every travel Instagrammer wishes they had when there’s a photobomber ruining their perfect Eiffel Tower shot.
You just draw over the object — and poof — it disappears like your motivation after January 5th.
Use Cases:
- Remove random people from photos
- Clean up messy backgrounds
- Fix old images with annoying marks or shadows
Magic Level: 9/10
Fun Experiment: Try removing someone’s shoe from a full body photo. Creepy but oddly satisfying.
9. Copy.ai – Write Like a Copywriter Without Actually Being One
If you’ve ever stared at a blank screen wondering how to write a caption, ad, or email — Copy.ai has your back.
I used it to write a fake dating profile for my friend. It said:
“I’m 6’1 on Tinder, 5’8 in real life, but 6’5 in emotional maturity.”
We laughed for 10 minutes straight. But it’s not just for fun — it’s insanely helpful for marketing content, product descriptions, emails, and even job posts.
Magic Level: 8.5/10
Best For: Freelancers, agencies, content marketers, meme makers
10. Tome.app – Presentations That Don’t Suck
Tired of boring PowerPoints? So is everyone.
Tome lets you make interactive, AI-powered presentations that don’t look like they were made in 2009. The AI helps you design slides, structure info, and even suggests images.
Perfect if you’re tired of teachers saying, “Please don’t use Comic Sans again.”
Magic Level: 8.9/10
Use Case: College presentations, startup decks, portfolio stuff
So… Are We in a Sci-Fi Movie Yet?
Honestly, using these tools daily feels like I’m living in the beta version of the future. And the best part? Most of them are either free or have free versions, so you don’t even have to sell your kidney to try them.
AI isn’t just about robots taking over — it’s about saving time, working smarter, and lowkey flexing on your friends.
Final Thoughts from Your Local Tech Bro
If you’re still doing everything the hard way in 2025, you’re wasting more time than I do on Reddit at 3AM. These tools exist to level up your workflow, your hustle, and your creativity.
Start slow. Try one or two. Then watch your productivity (and your ego) skyrocket.
Oh, and if anyone asks how you suddenly became so efficient — just wink and say, “I got a little help from some magic.”
Until next time,
– Prateek
Probably testing 5 more AI tools while writing this outro
