As artificial intelligence continues its rapid expansion across industries in 2024, consumers have been inundated with countless AI product announcements and tool releases. A comprehensive hands-on review of over 15 AI tools this year reveals which applications have moved beyond novelty to become genuinely useful daily companions.
Google’s AI Overviews tops the list as the most frequently used tool, transforming the traditional search experience by providing AI-generated answers directly at the top of search results. This feature eliminates the need to dig through multiple web pages for simple information like contact details or product release dates. The tool includes source links for fact-checking, making it both convenient and reliable for quick information retrieval.
NotebookLM’s Audio Overview represents a breakthrough in personalized AI content. Powered by Google’s Gemini 1.5 large language model, this innovative feature generates approximately 10-minute podcast-style discussions featuring two AI hosts. Users can upload their own materials—articles, YouTube links, and documents—to create customized audio content. The platform also generates study guides, briefing documents, and fact sheets, making it particularly valuable for learning new topics or preparing presentations.
ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice Mode brings conversational AI to life with remarkably human-like interactions. While not ideal for quick queries, this feature excels at handling complex inquiries and situations where typing is impractical. The voice mode consistently impresses users with its natural conversational flow, though it may provide less detail than written responses.
Otter.ai has revolutionized meeting transcription and note-taking. The free version offers 300 monthly minutes with 30-minute session limits, delivering highly accurate real-time transcription. Beyond basic transcription, it generates summaries, identifies action items, creates outlines, and features a chatbot that can search through recordings for specific topics—dramatically improving efficiency for professionals.
Amazon’s Rufus rounds out the top five as an AI shopping assistant that has proven to be a genuine game-changer for e-commerce. Rufus helps users make informed purchasing decisions by summarizing product reviews and providing detailed product information. It’s particularly useful for navigating shared Amazon accounts with extensive order histories, allowing users to quickly locate past purchases through natural language queries.
Key Quotes
I like that it enhances the search experience without making me open another application. AI Overviews gives me the TLDR without me having to ask for it.
Describing Google’s AI Overviews, this quote captures why the tool has become the most-used AI application in the reviewer’s daily routine. It highlights the importance of seamless integration and reducing friction in user experience.
Google has nailed down the concept of personalized AI with its Audio Overview feature.
This assessment of NotebookLM’s Deep Dive conversation feature emphasizes the growing importance of AI personalization. The ability to generate custom podcast content from user-uploaded materials represents a significant advancement in tailored AI applications.
I referred to Amazon’s AI shopping assistant Rufus as a ‘game changer’ when I tried it out in July — and that still holds true.
This sustained endorsement of Amazon’s Rufus demonstrates that some AI tools maintain their value beyond initial novelty. The quote underscores how AI is transforming e-commerce by making product research and purchase decisions more efficient.
Our Take
What’s particularly revealing about this analysis is the pattern of AI tool abandonment versus adoption. The fact that most of the 15+ tools tested didn’t achieve regular usage status speaks volumes about the current state of AI product development. Companies are clearly in a ’throw everything at the wall’ phase, but consumers are proving selective about what sticks.
The winners share common traits: they solve specific problems, integrate into existing workflows, and don’t require behavioral changes. Google’s dominance with three tools suggests that embedding AI into established platforms (search, workspace tools) may be more effective than standalone AI applications. The success of voice-based and audio tools (ChatGPT Voice Mode, NotebookLM) also signals growing comfort with conversational AI interfaces. As we move into 2025, expect companies to focus less on AI feature proliferation and more on deepening the utility of tools that have proven their staying power.
Why This Matters
This comprehensive review highlights a critical inflection point in AI adoption: the transition from experimental novelty to practical utility. As companies invested heavily in scaling AI throughout 2024, the real test has been whether these tools can integrate seamlessly into daily routines rather than simply generating initial excitement.
The diversity of successful tools—spanning search, content creation, voice interaction, transcription, and e-commerce—demonstrates AI’s expanding reach across multiple sectors. Notably, Google dominates with three of the five top tools, suggesting the tech giant’s strategy of embedding AI across its ecosystem is resonating with users.
For businesses, this signals that successful AI implementation requires more than impressive technology; it demands genuine utility and frictionless integration into existing workflows. The fact that many of the 15+ tools tested failed to maintain regular usage underscores a crucial lesson: AI features must solve real problems, not just showcase capabilities. This consumer feedback loop will likely influence how companies prioritize AI development in 2025, shifting focus from feature quantity to quality and practical application.
Recommended Reading
For those interested in learning more about artificial intelligence, machine learning, and effective AI communication, here are some excellent resources:
Recommended Reading
Related Stories
- Google’s Gemini: A Potential Game-Changer in the AI Race
- AI Shopping Assistants Drive Surge in Online Holiday Sales
- Mistral AI Launches Le Chat Assistant for Consumers and Enterprise
- The AI Hype Cycle: Reality Check and Future Expectations
- How Companies Can Use AI to Meet Their Operational and Financial Goals
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/my-4-favorite-ai-tools-from-2024-2024-12