03/10/25
AI Tools and Extensions: Increasing Productivity with Artificial Intelligence
Tim
Technology & Education Specialist
Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept or something reserved for Silicon Valley giants. It is now embedded into the tools we use every day. From editing documents in Word to building data models in Excel to collaborating in Google Docs, AI tools are changing not just what we produce, but how we work.
This guide explores the top AI tools available today, but more importantly, it looks at how they can genuinely add value. Instead of just listing features, we will explore practical applications, limitations, and what you should consider before adopting them.
Why AI Tools Matter in Everyday Work
The idea of AI tools might sound like hype, but their impact is tangible. They combine natural language processing, machine learning, and predictive analytics to automate tasks that used to eat up time.
The real value is not just speed, it is smarter work. Here’s how:
Efficiency: Grammarly doesn’t just fix typos; it reduces editing time so writers can focus on ideas.
Accuracy: DataRobot in Excel doesn’t just predict outcomes; it helps analysts reduce human error in forecasting.
Creativity: GPT for Docs doesn’t just generate words; it helps teams overcome writer’s block with fresh approaches.
The key to benefiting from AI tools is not simply installing them, but understanding how they align with your goals. For a student, that might mean polishing essays quickly. For a business, it might mean making data-driven decisions at scale.
AI Tools for Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word has been a staple for decades, but AI tools are giving it a second life…
Grammarly for Word
Grammarly is more than a spellchecker. Beyond grammar, it analyses tone, clarity, and intent. This makes it valuable for anyone writing for multiple audiences. For instance, a lawyer drafting a contract might want concise precision, while a marketer writing a product launch email might prefer an enthusiastic, persuasive tone. Grammarly helps adapt to both without changing platforms.
Microsoft Editor
While Grammarly often gets more attention, Microsoft Editor’s advantage is seamless integration. Because it works across Word, Outlook, and even Edge, it ensures consistency in professional communications. Businesses with large teams benefit from this continuity.
ProWritingAid
Unlike the other two, ProWritingAid is designed for depth. It gives readability scores and detailed reports that are particularly useful for long-form writing. For authors, academics, or businesses producing research papers, this goes beyond quick corrections into full editorial analysis.
AI Tools for Microsoft Excel
Excel has always been about numbers, but AI tools transform it into an engine for prediction and optimisation.
Power BI Publisher for Excel
The real power of Power BI Publisher is not just visualisation, but storytelling. Instead of showing your boss a spreadsheet of raw figures, you can present a clear dashboard that highlights key insights. This makes analysis accessible to non-specialists — a critical edge in industries where stakeholders may not be data experts.
Excel Solver with AI Enhancements
Solver has existed for years, but AI-enhanced Solver brings machine learning into the mix. Businesses can now simulate outcomes before committing resources. For example, a retailer could test how different discount strategies affect profit margins without actually running the campaign.
DataRobot for Excel
DataRobot turns Excel into an AutoML powerhouse. This is particularly useful for SMEs without large data science teams. Imagine a logistics company predicting delivery delays or a hospital forecasting patient admissions — all from within Excel.
AI Tools for Google & Teams
Applications like Google Docs are designed for collaboration, but with AI woven in, that collaboration becomes smarter and more seamless. Tools such as Grammarly now go beyond correcting grammar; they help distributed teams keep a consistent voice. With AI integration, a team spread across continents can ensure that emails, reports, and proposals not only meet professional standards but also align in tone and style, as if written by a single hand.
The most exciting use of AI applications (in this case GPT for Docs) is brainstorming. Content teams can generate headline ideas, outline articles, or even test different marketing messages. Instead of starting from scratch, you start from a draft that can be refined.
SAS Writing Reviser
This tool is often overlooked, but it is particularly useful for education. Teachers can use it to help students improve sentence structure and clarity. For businesses, it ensures reports remain easy to digest for stakeholders outside technical departments.
Other Notable AI Tools
The reach of AI tools extends far beyond traditional productivity apps:
Zapier with AI integrations: A marketing agency could set up automations that send campaign performance summaries to Slack every morning.
Otter.ai: Meeting fatigue is real. Otter doesn’t just transcribe; it creates searchable records that prevent details from being lost.
Loom with AI video editing: Sales teams can send cleaner, polished demo videos without hiring editors.
These aren’t just add-ons. They reshape how teams share knowledge, manage tasks, and engage clients.
How to Choose the Right AI Tools
Here’s where many businesses go wrong: adopting AI tools without a clear strategy.
Define outcomes: Do you want to save time, reduce errors, or improve creativity? Each goal demands different tools.
Think about scale: A freelancer’s needs differ from a 200-person company. Tools that work well individually may not scale effectively.
Watch for overlap: Installing five different AI writing assistants wastes time and money. Pick one that meets your needs best.
Plan for oversight: AI is not perfect. Build in human checks, especially for sensitive outputs like legal or financial documents.
Budget smartly: Free trials are great, but the real benefits often come with paid versions. Invest where the returns are measurable.
The Future of AI Tools in Productivity
AI tools today are powerful, but the next wave will be even more transformative. Expect:
Context-aware assistants: Tools that adapt not just to what you type, but why you are typing it.
Real-time translation: Breaking down barriers in global collaboration.
Cross-platform intelligence: AI that connects insights from Word, Excel, Docs, CRM systems, and even emails into a unified workspace.
But with these advances comes responsibility. Businesses must adopt AI tools thoughtfully, ensuring they enhance rather than overwhelm workflows.
As always, I encourage you and anyone who has the capacity in your business to spend at least one hour a day researching and interacting with these technologies as they develop. The progress is extraordinarily quick, and it's vital to not get left behind. If you are not sure where to start… then contact Projekt Rising!
Talk to the Professionals at Projekt Rising
Learning the technical terms is only the beginning. The real transformation happens when you put that knowledge into practice. At Projekt Rising, we help businesses move from understanding AI concepts to applying them in ways that improve efficiency, support creativity, and deliver measurable results. Alternatively, please see our case studies to learn how we have helped many brands improve their time management and efficiency using our AI toolkit.
