If you’ve been on the internet lately, you’ve probably seen ads for “AI productivity tools that will change your life.” But do they actually save time—or just add more apps to your digital clutter?
To find out, I spent a full week testing five of the most hyped AI tools in real-world work scenarios: writing, scheduling, meetings, and email. No fluff, no theory—just what worked, what didn’t, and what I’d actually use again.
How I Tested These Tools
Here’s the basic framework:
- I used each AI tool daily for 7 days
- I replaced my usual process with the AI-assisted one wherever possible
- I tracked how long each task took (with and without AI)
- If the tool made me redo the work, it failed
I focused on tasks most people deal with at work:
- Writing and editing content
- Taking notes in meetings
- Managing email
- Creating documentation or summarizing info
The 5 AI Tools I Tested
- ChatGPT
https://chat.openai.com - Notion AI
https://www.notion.so/product/ai - Fireflies.ai
https://www.fireflies.ai - GrammarlyGO
https://www.grammarly.com/grammarlygo - Superhuman AI
https://www.superhuman.com
Tool #1: ChatGPT (OpenAI)
Use Case: Drafting outlines, writing rough drafts, brainstorming names and angles.
Time Saved: ~30–60 minutes per day
Success Rate: 8/10
Best Use: Ideation, summaries, and rewriting copy with specific direction.
Pain Point: It’s easy to over-edit. The first draft is fast, but still needs human finesse.
Verdict: A true time-saver for creative work—as long as you’re not relying on it blindly.
Tool #2: Notion AI
Use Case: Summarizing research, turning messy notes into to-do lists, rewriting internal documentation.
Time Saved: ~15–30 minutes per session
Success Rate: 7/10
Best Use: Inside teams already using Notion heavily
Pain Point: It’s hit-or-miss for nuanced writing and sometimes too robotic
Verdict: Super helpful if your workflow already lives in Notion. Skip it if you don’t.
Tool #3: Fireflies.ai
Use Case: Automatic meeting transcription and AI-generated summaries
Time Saved: ~20 minutes per meeting
Success Rate: 9/10
Best Use: Weekly calls, internal meetings, Zoom/Google Meet
Pain Point: Some accents throw it off. Don’t expect legal transcript quality.
Verdict: Total game-changer. It lets me stay focused during meetings instead of scribbling notes.
Tool #4: GrammarlyGO
Use Case: Editing, rewriting, tone adjustment, email polishing
Time Saved: ~10–20 minutes per document
Success Rate: 7.5/10
Best Use: Non-native English writers, busy teams polishing copy
Pain Point: Sometimes oversimplifies writing or strips nuance
Verdict: Great for quick cleanups and tone tweaking—less useful for long-form content.
Tool #5: Superhuman AI
Use Case: Email triage, reply suggestions, summarizing long chains
Time Saved: ~30–45 minutes per day
Success Rate: 9/10
Best Use: High-volume inboxes and executives
Pain Point: Pricey. If your inbox isn’t a pain point, it’s not worth it.
Verdict: Feels like having an executive assistant in your inbox. Worth it if email slows you down.
Key Takeaways: What Actually Saved Time?
Here’s the actual time saved per day using all five tools:
| Tool | Estimated Time Saved | Worth Keeping? |
|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | 45 min | ✅ Yes |
| Notion AI | 20 min | ✅ Yes (with Notion) |
| Fireflies.ai | 20 min/meeting | ✅ Yes |
| GrammarlyGO | 15 min | ⚠️ Depends |
| Superhuman AI | 30 min | ✅ If you do heavy email |
Total saved: ~1.5 to 2.5 hours/day
That adds up fast, especially over a 40-hour work week.
Who Should Actually Use These?
| User Type | Tools That Help Most |
|---|---|
| Writers/Marketers | ChatGPT, GrammarlyGO |
| Remote Teams | Fireflies.ai, Notion AI |
| Busy Executives | Superhuman AI, Fireflies.ai |
| Solo Creators | ChatGPT, Fireflies.ai |
Final Verdict: Does AI Save Time?
Yes—if you use the right tools for the right tasks.
Most AI tools won’t save you time right away. There’s a short learning curve. But once you figure out how to plug them into your daily routine, the time savings are very real.
The trick? Don’t ask, “What’s the best AI tool?” Ask, “What’s wasting my time right now—and can a tool help fix it?”