
AI Tools with Andrew Davis. Updated every month.
AI Tools with Andrew Davis. Updated every month.
By
Andrew Davis
Every month our guest columnist and digital marketing maestro Andrew Davis shares three standout tools that are making waves in the AI world - tools designed to save you time, boost creativity and keep you ahead of the competition.
Welcome to this new feature highlighting the best AI tools to help marketers and creators like you work smarter, faster, and more effectively.
Every month, I’ll share three standout tools that are making waves in the AI world—tools designed to save you time, boost creativity, and keep you ahead of the competition.
I’m Andrew Davis, and I’ve been in Digital Marketing since 2001—starting in chatrooms for Pop Idol, helping to launch MySpace UK in 2006, and since 2009, I’ve trained over 15,000 people.
If you’re interested in more AI tips and want to stay updated daily, check out my 10-minute podcast, ‘In A(I) Nutshell’—click here to listen.
Now, let’s dive into this month's top 3 AI tools...
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
- Click to visit Kling AI’s site.
- Create an account or sign in using Google.
- Upload an image or type a text prompt for video or image generation.
- Adjust parameters to fine-tune your design.
- Click Generate and watch your vision come to life!
Why creatives and marketers are using Kling
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
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:
- Click this link to visit Google NotebookLM.
- Sign in using your Google account.
- Upload your notes, research papers, PDFs, links etc.
- Use AI prompts to summarise sections, extract key points, or generate insights.
- Click the Podcast Option to convert your content into an audio file.
- Save and export findings for reports, presentations, or articles.
Why creatives and marketers are using NotebookLM
- 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.
- Build pitch decks faster
Marketers leverage NotebookLM to summarise data from spreadsheets, PDFs, and articles, turning dense information into presentation-ready content.
- 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?
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:
- Click to visit ElevenLabs.
- Sign up for a free trial or log in with your existing account.
- Select Text-to-Speech and paste your script.
- Choose a voice from the pre-designed library or clone your own voice by uploading a sample.
- 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
- Podcasts and Audiobooks without recording studios
Podcasters and authors use ElevenLabs to convert scripts into spoken-word content, saving time and production costs.
- Localised ads and campaigns
Marketers love ElevenLabs for creating multilingual ads—perfect for targeting diverse audiences without hiring voice actors.
- 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!
