3 AI tips that will open your eyes (and why you’ll fall in love with NotebookLM)

Over the past few months I’ve spoken at several AI conferences, and I kept hearing the same questions:

  • Is ChatGPT or Claude better?
  • Do AI-avatar tools work in Czech?
  • Can the free version handle this, or do I have to pay?

Honestly? Those are exactly the things you simply have to try for yourself. Experimentation is the only way to truly learn how to work with AI.

Because so many people left my talks with notebooks full of questions, I decided to flip the script. Today I’m giving you three concrete tips you can try right now—and one of them is so good it’s on my team’s list of “mandatory AI gear.”

1) NotebookLM – the tool that’ll make you love your own content

I’ve mentioned NotebookLM several times, yet I still see people under-using it. That’s a shame, because it can save you hours:

  • Upload your own documents, texts, or video links.
  • In seconds you get a summary, a mind-map, or even a podcast in which two AI “people” discuss only your content.
  • Every output is fully sourced, so you can verify accuracy.
  • It now supports Czech and has a terrific mobile app.

How I use it:

  • Before meetings I upload annual reports or LinkedIn profiles of the people I’ll meet and let NotebookLM prep a quick summary—or a podcast. I’m better prepared in minutes than ever before.
  • While building presentations I upload my first draft and let it create a mind-map; listening always sparks tons of improvements.
  • When hunting down how-tos I upload a PDF and get a step-by-step guide. And if I’m on my bike or in the car, I just convert articles to a podcast and listen.

By the way, when I send a client a long proposal, I attach a podcast version and add a short note: “Sorry for the long read—here’s an audio summary in case you’d like to listen on your commute 😉.”

Yes, some people think I recorded it myself—which instantly gives us a small-talk topic.

2) What every modern professional should know how to do today

AI isn’t just about “dropping a prompt into ChatGPT.” If you want to be truly ready for the 2025+ job market, you should be comfortable with:

  • Using ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini (ideally all three).
  • Leveraging AI inside office apps (Microsoft Copilot, etc.).
  • Knowing the Deep Research feature (in ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity).
  • Testing the differences between ChatGPT 4o and o3 models.
  • Having NotebookLM at your fingertips.
  • Understanding how to build your own AI assistants.

If that feels like a lot, try this: paste the list into an AI tool and say, “Show me what each one can do and teach me step by step.” Give it a long weekend and you’ll have it down.

3) The Prompt that will blow your mind

Try this prompt (works best if you use AI regularly):

“Write me a detailed letter summing up my previous week (everything you know), what you observed, what I’ve been thinking about, your honest thoughts, and give me brutally honest, critical feedback.”

It’s a weird feeling, but if you work with AI every day, its answer will surprise you. And if you don’t? Maybe that’s a sign you should start using it more often.

Want More Inspiration?

If you enjoy tips like these, check out my book The Future of No Work. It’s about changing your approach to work – focusing on what matters and leaving the rest to AI. Exactly what we all need today.

Take a look at The Future of No Work →

AI isn’t magic. It’s a tool that becomes your superpower only when you dive in deep. And NotebookLM? That’s the perfect place to start.

F.D.