AI Tools with Andrew Davis. Updated every month.

Welcome back to your monthly AI tools update—the ultimate guide to staying ahead in the world of AI-powered marketing, creativity, and productivity.

Each month, I highlight three game-changing AI tools designed to help marketers and creators work smarter, faster, and more effectively.

I’m Andrew Davis, a digital marketing specialist since 2001—starting with moderating Pop Idol chatrooms, launching MySpace UK in 2006, and training over 15,000 professionals since 2009.

For daily AI insights, check out my 10-minute podcast,  ‘In A(I) Nutshell’—click here to listen.

Now, let’s dive into this month’s top three AI tools.

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Andrew Davis 

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The Top 3 AI Tools you need this March

Tool 1: Focus Buddy

Tool Type: AI-powered productivity and focus assistant.

Link for Focus Buddy: https://focusbuddy.ai/

Price: Freemium

What is Focus Buddy?

Focus Buddy is an AI-powered accountability partner designed to help you stay productive, avoid distractions, and get more done in less time.

It acts like a virtual co-worker that keeps you on track through real-time focus sessions, structured work cycles, and AI-driven reminders to maintain deep concentration… and it does this by speaking to you.

Whether you're a marketer juggling multiple projects, a creator trying to hit deadlines, or someone struggling with distractions, Focus Buddy is built to improve your workflow and efficiency.

So what? Why should I care?

The point of this platform is to keep you productive and not just busy. 4 ways it does that include:

AI-powered focus sessions – Get into deep work mode with guided productivity sessions.

Real-time accountability - AI checks in on you, ensuring you stay on track.

Custom work cycles – Structure your day with timed sessions based on Pomodoro (my personal favourite), Flow State, or Deep Work methods.

Distraction alerts – AI detects when you’re losing focus and nudges you back to work.

How to use Focus Buddy

1. Sign up at FocusBuddy.ai.
2. Set your work goals and schedule sessions.
3. Start a focus session and let the AI guide your productivity.
4. Receive real-time feedback and accountability nudges to maintain concentration.

Simples!!!

Why Creatives and Marketers Are Using Focus Buddy

In a world filled with endless notifications and creative blocks, Focus Buddy acts like a personal AI productivity coach, keeping you accountable with real-time check-ins and structured work sessions. Whether you’re crafting a social media campaign, writing copy, or brainstorming new ideas, it ensures you stay focused and productive without burnout.

Another major benefit is its AI-powered task management and habit tracking, which helps creators prioritise work. Instead of getting lost in multitasking, Focus Buddy breaks tasks into manageable chunks, making content planning and execution smoother. With built-in motivation and productivity nudges, it’s like having a virtual co-working partner who keeps you moving forward—so you can hit deadlines and create high-quality content.

In A(I) Nutshell

FocusBuddy.ai is like having a personal productivity coach that keeps you focused, motivated, and on top of your work. Worth a try to see how much it impacts your productivity.

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Tool 2: Google AI Studio (Stream Realtime)

Tool Type: Real-time AI-powered text and speech streaming.

Link to Google Ai Studio: https://aistudio.google.com/

Price: Free

What is Stream Realtime?

Google AI Studio’s Stream Realtime is a hidden gem that takes AI interaction to a whole new level.

Imagine pointing your camera at anything—a gadget, a document, your surroundings—and having Gemini 2.0 analyse it and respond in real-time. Need help choosing a laptop? Share your screen and Gemini will analyse shopping pages and suggest the best option based on what you’re looking at.

The latency is so low that it feels like you’re having a real conversation with an AI assistant—this is AI interaction like never before.

So what? Why should I care?

If you ever wanted your own IT person or a personal guide for anything, then you should care about this tool. Here is why:

Live visual analysis - Show Gemini real-world objects, documents, or shopping pages and get instant insights.

Real-time conversation - Get AI responses with near-zero latency, making interactions feel natural.

Screen-sharing AI assistance -  Let Gemini analyse your laptop screen and offer smart recommendations in real time.

Completely free - No cost to start using it, just sign in and explore. I don’t know how long they will keep this free for though.

How to use Stream Realtime on Desktop

1. Go to: https://aistudio.google.com
2. Sign up or in to your Google account
3. On the left hand side menu, select Stream Realtime (Option 2)
4. Make sure it says “Talk With Gemini Live” on the main screen.
5. Select “Share your screen” at the bottom of the page
6. Select the screen and microphone.
7. Ask away

Why Creatives and Marketers Are Stream Realtime

Whether you’re showcasing live product demos, analysing marketing dashboards, or need help in fixing your website, the ability to instantly share your screen keeps people and teams aligned and speeds up decision-making. This means less back-and-forth, more immediate feedback, and a smoother creative workflow.

Another game-changer is the ability to point your mobile camera at anything and get AI-powered insights in real time. Marketers can analyse product packaging, scan ads in physical spaces, or even test visual content on the fly. For creatives, this feature transforms brainstorming sessions, enabling instant feedback and AI-driven suggestions. It’s a hands-free, immersive way to bring ideas to life—anywhere, anytime.

In A(I) Nutshell

Stream Realtime is Google’s bold move into real-time AI interaction, making AI feel like a natural extension of your own thinking process. Some tools are hard to justify with words on how good it actually is so try it out now and see AI in action like never before.

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Tool 3: Ask Perplexity on X/Twitter

Tool Type: AI-powered search and research assistant directly on X (Twitter).

Link to Ask perplexity on X: https://twitter.com/AskPerplexity

 Price: Free

What is @askperplexity?

@askperplexity is an AI-powered research tool built directly into X, designed to provide real-time, accurate answers to questions. It’s like having a smarter, AI-driven version of Google Search, capable of delivering fact-checked insights, citations, and up-to-date information within seconds. You simply find a tweet where you want more information, ask perplexity by tagging it and they will provide you with an answer.

So what? Why should I care?

@askperplexity is redefining how people search, consume and use X. Where a lot of people are leaving X, this might give you a reason to go back. Here is why:

Instant, accurate answers - Get real-time responses for your questions backed by credible sources.

Deep research capabilities - Ask complex questions and receive detailed insights.

Fact-checking and summarisation - Helps marketers and researchers verify information quickly.

How to use @askperplexity:

1. Go to x.com and login or sign up
2. Find a tweet that you want to know more information or have questions
3. Ask a question in the comment and tag @askperplexity
4. Wait seconds for an answer in your notifications.

Why Creatives and Marketers Are Using @askperplexity

Instead of spending hours researching trends, SEO strategies, or the latest engagement tactics, you can simply tag @askperplexity with your question and get a smart, data-driven response. This makes it a fast and efficient way to gather insights, validate ideas, and stay ahead of the competition in real-time.

Another huge advantage is the ability to tap into AI for quick content inspiration and fact-checking. Whether you need fresh post ideas, trending topics, or clarification on marketing best practices, @askperplexity works as a real-time research assistant.

 In A(I) Nutshell

@askperplexity is like having a fact-checking AI librarian on X, delivering reliable, real-time research at your fingertips.

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The Top 3 AI Tools you need this February

Tool 1: ChatGPT on WhatsApp

Tool Type: AI-powered chat, instant responses, and automated assistance inside WhatsApp.

Link: Save the number to your phone contacts: 001 800 242-8478

Price: Free

What is ChatGPT On WhatsApp?

ChatGPT on WhatsApp is your AI-powered assistant, right inside your DMs, helping you do many things from brainstorm ideas to answering question—without ever leaving WhatsApp.

Need instant quick copywriting help, or stuck on what to do? Just text ChatGPT like you would a friend, and it delivers fast, engaging, and on-brand responses in real-time.

This tool is a game-changer and the potential here is unlimited. It’s like having a genius on speed dial, ready to help whenever inspiration strikes.

So what? Why should I care?

If you love ChatGPT and are always using it then you will love some of the features:

• Chat naturally – Ask questions and get real-time answers, just like texting a person.
• Quick customer support – Automate replies to common questions, collect leads, and help with inquiries.
• Works with WhatsApp Business – Businesses can set up AI-powered chats to engage with customers.
• Everyday assistance – Get instant help with writing messages, brainstorming ideas, or summarising information.

How to use ChatGPT On Whatsapp:

1. Add the number to your phone contact book (001 800 242-8478)
2. Go to WhatsApp, search for ChatGPT from your phone book and select it
3. Send a message and start chatting with AI like you would with a normal contact.

Simples!!!

Why Creatives and Marketers are using ChatGPT on Whatsapp

• Answering questions

Whether you are leaving voice notes or text, you can ask it anything you like (within reason of course) and you will get a reply within seconds.

• Analysing images 

Ever seen something and thought “What in the world is that?”…now you can take a picture of it, upload it to ChatGPT Whatsapp and it can tell you.

• Content ideas and suggestions

Coming up with ideas on the go, or getting it to suggest ways to improve ideas are common ways people are using it. It’s like you are brainstorming with a very clever friend or co-worker.

In A(I) Nutshell

ChatGPT On WhatsApp is like having the friend who knows everything in your pocket. In need of help or even a random chat, then this is the tool for you.

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Tool 2: Descript

Tool Type: AI-powered video & audio editing for creators and marketers

Link for Descript: https://www.descript.com/

Price: Freemium

What is Descript?

Descript makes editing simple—imagine editing your video or podcast just like a Word Doc, where you cut, copy, and tweak by editing text, not timelines.

For marketers, it’s a fast, no-fuss way to create professional videos, social clips, and podcast episodes without expensive software or a steep learning curve. For creators, it’s the ultimate tool for repurposing content, whether it’s turning a YouTube video into a blog post, a webinar into a podcast, or a script into a polished video.

It also has AI voice cloning, automatic transcription, studio-quality sound enhancement and a bunch of other cool AI features.

So what? Why should I care?

Descript’s latest update makes content creation faster, smarter, and easier than ever:

• Edit audio & video like a document – No timeline scrubbing, just cut words, not waveforms.
• AI voice cloning & overdubbing – Forgot to say something or said the wrong thing…you can clone your voice, type the words and it will add it to the content.
• Studio-quality sound, instantly – Remove background noise and enhance clarity with a single click.
• Screen recording & video editing – Record, transcribe, and edit your videos all in one place.
• Collaboration made simple – Share projects with your team for real-time feedback.

How to use Descript

1. Sign up for a free plan on Descript’s website (Can always upgrade if you like it).
2. Upload your audio or video file and Descript will transcribe it automatically.
3. Edit by tweaking the text and Descript will sync the changes to your video/audio.
4. (Optional) Use AI-powered overdubbing to fix mistakes without re-recording.
5. Export your final project in video or audio format—ready for YouTube, TikTok, or your podcast.

 Why Creatives and Marketers are using Descript

Sometimes we overestimate how long it will take to create a video or podcast and underestimate how long it will take to edit. Without a doubt when I speak to content creators, a lot say the editing is the time consuming, and sometimes painful part.

Descript’s aim is to take some of the hands on editing off your plate. I have a daily 10-minute podcast that needs to be recorded and edited daily. As you can imagine, there is a lot of time spent getting this done. After finding this tool, the editing process has been cut down by more than half the time.

In A(I) Nutshell

If you are recording video and audio, where there is a lot of talking and you are not an expert in Adobe Premier or Final Cut Pro etc, then this tool will save you a lot of time.

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Tool 3: Midjourney

Tool Type: AI-powered image generation for marketers, designers, and content creators.

Link: https://www.midjourney.com/

Price: Paid

What is Midjourney?

I cannot go another month without mentioning the platform that got me into Generative AI, which is Midjourney.

Midjourney is your personal AI-powered artist and designer, capable of generating stunning, high-quality visuals from just a text prompt.

For marketers, it’s a game-changer—no more relying on stock images or expensive designers for creatives, product mockups, or branded social media graphics. For content creators, it’s the ultimate tool for generating eye-catching visuals, whether for thumbnails, book covers, concept art, or campaign assets.

From hyper-realistic portraits to surreal fantasy worlds, Midjourney transforms your ideas into professional-grade visuals in seconds—and it is constantly improving with quality and new features.

So what? Why should I care?

Midjourney’s latest updates make image generation more powerful and precise than ever:

• Create unique, high-quality visuals instantly – All you need is a good prompt and a creative imagination and watch the AI bring it to life.
• Perfect for ads, social media posts, presentations and branding – Generate eye catching content for your marketing campaigns.
• Refine, remix, and upscale – If you don’t get exactly what you are after first try then you can adjust and edit to match your exact creative vision.
• AI-assisted concept art & design – Whether for fashion, architecture, or product mockups, Midjourney brings concepts to life through mood boards, consistent characters and stylisation.
• Faster generation & higher resolution – Recent updates provide more detail, better lighting, and richer textures.

How to use Midjourney:

1. Go to midjourney.com and either sign up or log in with your account.
2. Make sure “Create” is highlighted on the right hand side and then go to the prompt bar at the top, type your prompt, and press Enter to generate an image. (You can also click on the icon on the bar and here is where you can control the output generated)
3. Click on an image to open it in full view, then use “Variations” to explore different styles or “Upscale” to enhance the quality, if needed.
4. Click download icon to save your final image or organise it in your Archive for later use.
5. (Optional) Use the “Explore” tab to get inspiration from community’s created images or join themed challenges.

You can also use Discord to generate images.

Why Creatives and Marketers are using Midjourney

Presentations that stand out

Marketers and brands use Midjourney to create high-quality, custom visuals for pitch decks, reports, and keynote presentations—no more boring stock images.

AI-generated videos with video generating tools like Kling.ai 

Creators are combining Midjourney with AI video tools like Kling and Runway to turn static images into dynamic animations and promo videos.

Concept art and product mock-ups 

Designers and businesses use Midjourney to visualise branding, product packaging, and creative concepts before committing to full-scale production.

 In A(I) Nutshell

Midjourney is like having a design studio with a world class designer at your fingertips—turning your text prompts into jaw-dropping visuals in seconds! This will be one of the most important tools you can have in your tech arsenal.

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The Top 3 AI Tools you need this January

Tool 1: Kling AI Version 1.6

Tool Type: AI-powered video and image generator

Link: Kling AI (Not Sponsored)

Price: Freemium

What is Kling AI?

Kling AI is a cutting-edge tool designed for AI-powered video and image generation. It enables users to create professional-grade visuals using text prompts and image references. Where it comes into its own is that it simplifies content creation, making it ideal for creators, marketers, and designers looking to save time and boost creativity.

So what? Why should I care?

Kling AI just rolled out Kling 1.6, bringing major improvements to its already impressive platform. The update includes:

• Higher Resolution Outputs – Sharper and more professional visuals.
• Enhanced Prompt Understanding – Better interpretation of complex prompts.
• Faster Rendering Speeds – Get results in seconds, not minutes.
• Custom Style References – Match your favourite design aesthetics effortlessly.

How to use Kling 1.6

1. Click to visit Kling AI’s site.
2. Create an account or sign in using Google.
3. Upload an image or type a text prompt for video or image generation.
4. Adjust parameters to fine-tune your design.
5. Click Generate and watch your vision come to life!

Why creatives and marketers are using Kling

1. Social Media content that grabs attention

Marketers love using Kling’s text-to-video features to produce scroll-stopping organic videos and ads that look polished and professional - perfect for Instagram Reels and TikTok campaigns.

2. Product Launches with custom motion graphics

Creatives are leveraging Kling’s motion graphics capabilities to create promo videos and product demos that stand out without hiring a video editor.

3. Quick prototypes and visual concepts

Design teams are using Kling to rapidly prototype visuals for presentations, mood boards, and client pitches—cutting down hours of design work into minutes.

In A(I) Nutshell

Kling AI is like having a personal Hollywood studio in your pocket—turning text prompts into stunning videos and images faster than you can say ‘action!’

Carol's Comments - Culturehive's Editor road tests the tool

I needed a thumbnail image to accompany this resource so generated it using Kling. Very intuitive. I used a basic prompt: 'Colourful, bright, square to represent  a fuzzy felt robot using Artificial Intelligence tools. The robot is holding a spanner and looking down at an open laptop. Quirky. Fun.' I set the aspect ration to 1:1 and pressed generate. It came up with four options in about 10 seconds. Free download includes small watermark in the bottom right of the image.

I tried the Image to Video option using the fuzzy felt robot I'd just generated as the image. I added a simple prompt: 'Fuzzy felt robot experiments with AI tools. Picks up laptop. Shakes it. Shakes head. Drops laptop. Shrugs. '.  I set a duration of 5 seconds in standard mode. There's an option for a negative prompt where you can list the types of content you don't want to see in the video and it gives examples of what these could be - animation, blur, distortion and more. Plenty of free credits left - the video cost 20 credits to generate. Sadly got 'Heavy demand, upgrade for a member accelerating access'. I was trying at around 5pm UK time so might get better luck on the free version early morning. Update: An early morning request to generate put me in a 3 hour queue on free credits but happy with the result:

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Tool 2: Google NotebookLM

Tool Type: AI-powered research, note-taking, and podcast generation.

Link: Google NotebookLM

Price: Free

What is Google NotebookLM?

NotebookLM is Google’s cutting-edge AI-powered assistant designed to help you organise, analyse, and summarise large amounts of information quickly and easily.

It’s perfect for anyone who needs to process data-heavy documents, extract insights, and generate summaries—all in one easy to use interface.

But here’s the game-changing feature—it can create podcasts based on any link, PDF, or presentation you upload. Whether you’re working on a report, studying for exams, or preparing a pitch, NotebookLM can turn your content into audio summaries that you can listen to on the go.

So what? Why should I care?

Google NotebookLM just rolled out a powerful update, making it easier than ever to:

• Summarise Complex Information – Quickly generate summaries for long reports, articles, and research papers.
• Generate Insights and Ideas – Use AI prompts to brainstorm ideas or outline articles directly within the app.
• Organise Sources and Notes – Upload documents and have NotebookLM link key concepts and highlight relationships between ideas.
• Create Podcasts from Documents – Simply upload any file (PDF, slide deck, or article link) and let NotebookLM convert it into an audio format—perfect for learning on the go.
• Ask questions about your content – Simply type a question, and NotebookLM pulls insights from your uploaded files and resources.

How to use NotebookLM:

1. Click this link to visit Google NotebookLM.
2. Sign in using your Google account.
3. Upload your notes, research papers, PDFs, links etc.
4. Use AI prompts to summarise sections, extract key points, or generate insights.
5. Click the Podcast Option to convert your content into an audio file.
6. Save and export findings for reports, presentations, or articles.

Why creatives and marketers are using NotebookLM

1. Simplify content research and outlines

Writers and content marketers use NotebookLM to digest lengthy reports and generate outlines for blogs, whitepapers, case studies—cutting hours off their research process.

2. Build pitch decks faster

Marketers leverage NotebookLM to summarise data from spreadsheets, PDFs, and articles, turning dense information into presentation-ready content.

3. Create podcasts for repurposed content

Content creators can quickly turn research documents or presentations into audio podcasts for sharing on platforms or internal use—perfect for making information accessible while multitasking.

NotebookLM is free to use for now, making it one of the most affordable AI tools available for note-taking, research assistance, and podcast creation.

In A(I) Nutshell

NotebookLM is your brainy AI research assistant that not only organises and summarises your notes but can also turn them into podcasts—because who has time to read anymore?

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Tool 3: ElevenLabs

Tool Type: AI voice generation and text-to-speech technology.

Link: ElevenLabs (Not Sponsored)

Price: Freemium

What is ElevenLabs?

ElevenLabs is an advanced AI voice generator that creates ultra-realistic speech from text.

Whether you’re producing audiobooks, podcasts, voiceovers, or interactive audio experiences, ElevenLabs makes it easy to generate natural-sounding voices in multiple languages and accents.

With some of my favourite features being voice cloning and custom voice design, it’s quickly becoming the go-to tool for creators who want to make professional-grade audio without needing a recording studio.

So what? Why should I care?

ElevenLabs just rolled out powerful updates, making it easier than ever to:

• Create Ultra-Realistic Voices – Generate human-like speech with perfect pitch, tone, and emotion.
• Clone Your Voice – Record a short sample, and ElevenLabs can replicate your voice for consistent branding.
• Multilingual Support – Speak to global audiences with AI voices in 29+ languages and regional accents.
• Text-to-Speech on Demand – Turn any written content into an audio file in seconds—perfect for podcasts and audiobooks.
• Script Narration for Videos – Add seamless voiceovers for explainer videos, product demos, and animations.

Create custom sound FX - You prompt the sound you want to hear and ElevenLabs creates it.

How to use ElevenLabs:

1. Click to visit ElevenLabs.
2. Sign up for a free trial or log in with your existing account.
3. Select Text-to-Speech and paste your script.
4. Choose a voice from the pre-designed library or clone your own voice by uploading a sample.
5. Click Generate and download your audio file instantly.

For advanced features:

• Use Voice Cloning to replicate your voice or design a new one.
• Try Multilingual Mode to translate scripts and create voices in different languages with realistic accents.

Why creatives and marketers are using ElevenLabs

1. Podcasts and Audiobooks without recording studios

Podcasters and authors use ElevenLabs to convert scripts into spoken-word content, saving time and production costs.

2. Localised ads and campaigns

Marketers love ElevenLabs for creating multilingual ads—perfect for targeting diverse audiences without hiring voice actors.

3. Video voiceovers that sound real

Content creators use ElevenLabs to add professional voiceovers for product demos, explainer videos, and social media campaigns—no need for a sound booth.

In A(I) Nutshell

ElevenLabs is like having a voiceover artist, translator, and audiobook narrator rolled into one—ready to speak your words in any accent, anytime, and anywhere!

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