🔧 Three Tools I’m Testing

📔 NotebookLM - I use this weekly to create reports based on multiple source documents or online articles. However, I usually consume the information through the generated podcast feature; it’s well done.

☑️ ChatGPT Tasks - These scheduled prompts are helping me automate some simple tasks (no pun intended) like daily inspiration and content ideas. I’ve also seen other folks using this to do daily coding/language learning.

🖋️ Writesonic - I’m trying this to help with technical long-form writing, such as blog posts, white papers, etc. So far, I’m very impressed with the well-researched (and cited) writing.

🧪 AI Experiment of The Week

This week, I built a web scraping tool to pull information from various sites. For my experiment, I’m pulling exhibitor information from a conference for lead generation for my company, Losant. My team will then use this information to build a campaign and plan to attack the show.

The tool is built using Python and three underlying technologies: LLM model (using DeepSeek R1), Groq, and Crawl4AI. I followed this very informative video on building a web scraper. The example app he builds pulls data about wedding venues; I pulled data about potential companies we can target.

Overall, the system works well and can easily be expanded to pull even more data. In the end, pulling the data I wanted cost me a few cents (you can do this for free, but it requires a bit more optimization with the scraper). This could then be directly fed into another system to help find contact information and build a very personalized campaign.

I look forward to using this combination of technologies for additional projects. It’s a great tool in the tool belt. ⚒️ 

📰 Article of The Week

Formula for Great AI Chat Prompts

This article (post) outlines a highly effective method for crafting prompts for AI chatbots. It’s a six-step process that includes:

1. Task - Start with an action verb stating your request. Clearly define the end goal.

2. Context - Give relevant details about the situation and background.

3. Examples - Provide sample text to demonstrate the desired style.

4. Persona (optional) - Adopt a specific viewpoint or character.

5. Format - Specify the output structure you want.

6. Tone - Indicate the preferred emotion and language style.

Creating a prompt that generates the desired outcome, rather than just some regurgitated junk, is essential for using AI chats. Prompt engineering is one of the most crucial skills to develop. It’s also the area where I see beginners struggle the most. This method from The Rundown AI is an excellent starting point.

🌎 Where the World is Going

The rise of AI isn't just changing how we work – it's rewriting the rules of who can create meaningful impact. As I dive deeper into various AI tools each week, I'm struck by a powerful realization: polymaths are emerging as the unexpected champions of this new era. While AI acts as a force multiplier for human capabilities, amplifying everything to 11, it's the renaissance minds who can transform this raw power into a masterpiece of innovation.

Consider this: launching a business today already requires juggling multiple disciplines – product, sales, marketing, legal, operations – but AI dramatically lowers the expertise threshold needed in each area. I've watched solopreneurs prototype complex software with basic architecture knowledge, draft compelling marketing campaigns with fundamental storytelling skills, and handle legal documentation with a grasp of core principles. It's not about being an expert in everything; it's about having enough foundational knowledge to effectively direct AI tools toward sophisticated solutions.

What excites me most is how this shift democratizes innovation. Like how low-code platforms revolutionized software development, AI is creating a new breed of creators who can transform cross-disciplinary insights into tangible solutions. I'm already seeing small teams, armed with diverse knowledge and AI collaborators, build products that would have required dozens of specialists just a few years ago. This isn't just about efficiency – it's about unlocking new possibilities through the unique connections that only a polymath mind can make. The future belongs to the curious generalists who can navigate multiple domains and mold AI to fill the gaps. We're entering an era where small teams with broad knowledge bases can compete with industry giants, using AI as their secret team member.

👨‍💻 About Me

🔗 Extra Links to Check Out

• Polymath 🧮

• Robots Are Coming For Our Jobs 🤖

• Ultimate Guide to Prompt Engineering 🛠️