December AI Delights
Exploring Google's Latest and Greatest
December has been a whirlwind of exciting launches at Google, and I've been having a blast exploring all the new AI-powered tools and experiments. From Deep Research in Gemini to Audio Interactivity in NotebookLM to the creative magic of Whisk, it's been a fun and inspiring end to the year.
I wanted to share a few ways I've been using these tools, highlighting their potential to not only enhance productivity but also spark creativity and even create personalized keepsakes.
2025 AI Predictions: A Collaborative Exploration
One of my annual traditions is creating an AI BINGO card, predicting the major trends and developments we'll see in the coming year. This year, I decided to leverage Google's AI tools to gather insights and inspiration.
I started by using Gemini's Deep Research feature to explore a wide range of sources, supplementing my own reading from industry reports (like a16z's Big Ideas in Tech 2025 and Benedict Evans' AI Eats the World) in addition to conversations with colleagues. Deep Research proved to be an invaluable tool for quickly synthesizing information and surfacing key themes from a variety of sources that I wouldn’t have otherwise thought to pull from.
Next, I took those insights and plugged them into NotebookLM - using the new Interactivity feature in Audio Overviews, which meant that I was effectively having a conversation with the AI about the future of AI. I was able to ask direct questions, explore different perspectives, and even inject a bit of humor into the process (asking the hosts "What's the funniest prediction?" led to a delightful banter). NotebookLM's ability to maintain context and steer the conversation back to the main topic was particularly impressive. This tool is quickly becoming my go-to for learning about new subjects and exploring complex ideas.
Stay tuned next week for the final result of my 2025 AI BINGO card!
Personalized Kids Books: Blending Physical and AI-Generated Memories
We recently took our kids to visit Santa Claus, a joyous experience that yielded two precious physical photos. Seeing those framed pictures on my daughter's shelf reminded me of the enduring power of physical keepsakes in our increasingly digital world.
Inspired by those photos, I'm now working on a personalized photo book for my daughter, capturing highlights from the past year. And this is where the magic of AI comes in. I've been using Whisk to create AI-generated images based on our real photos, adding a touch of whimsical creativity to her memory book.
The Takeaway: AI for Work, Life, and Everything In Between
These are just a few examples of how I've been incorporating Google's latest AI tools into my life, both personally and professionally. They highlight the incredible potential of AI to not only streamline tasks and enhance productivity but also to spark creativity and create meaningful connections.
I'm excited to see what new possibilities emerge in the coming year as these tools continue to evolve.