10 Ways I’m Using AI Right Now (Part 2)
In less than a year, AI tools have added the equivalent of a full-time teammate to my business. All for around $100 per month.
In Part 1 of this Wave Report – 10 Ways I’m Using AI Right Now (Part 1) – I shared five ways I’m using AI to multiply my output. It turned out to be one of the most popular articles of the year.
It confirmed something I’ve been sensing in so many conversations lately – leaders are hungry for practical, real-world ways to use AI-based tools to work smarter and lead better.
Today, I’m sharing five more — all aimed at helping you think, lead, and create with more clarity and capacity.
First, here’s a quick recap of the five ways I use AI tools from Part 1:
To learn on the go – I use voice-based AI assistants to answer questions and spark ideas while I’m driving or walking.
To create and document processes – From popcorn recipes to CRM workflows, AI helps me organize steps and write clear instructions.
To read content to me – I use apps like Speechify to turn articles and documents into audio, making errands and drives more productive.
To plan a trip – AI tools helped me research and book a family vacation, including narrowing down hotel options with kid-friendly pools.
To edit words – Whether I’m refining emails, simplifying a draft, or editing this very newsletter, AI helps sharpen my communication.
My hope with both Part 1 and Part 2 is simple: to spark ideas for how you can use AI-based tools in small but powerful ways — not just to save time, but to grow yourself and your organization.
Let’s dive in...
How I’m Using AI
6. To write words.
Tools Used: ChatGPT, Grammarly
While editing is one thing, writing a rough first draft is another.
The most frequent way I use AI tools in writing is to edit what I’ve already written, mostly using Grammarly. But right behind that is using tools like ChatGPT to write rough first drafts — fast. Whether it’s a document, a recommendation for a former colleague, or an awkward email I’ve been avoiding, AI helps me get from blank page to solid start in less time (and with less stress).
☑️ Example: I needed to draft a low-stakes copyright release so my event planner could print excerpts from my book. Rather than googling for legal templates or digging through old files, I explained what I needed and pasted the book excerpt into ChatGPT. Within 30 seconds, it generated a professional-sounding release. I reviewed it, tweaked a few phrases, and sent it off.
Here are a few other ways I’ve used AI to write recently:
Came up with multiple ledes for this article.
Drafted a first pass at a tricky reply to a colleague.
Wrote a recommendation letter from bullet points.
Started an email I didn’t know how to begin.
💡 Takeaway: Writing with AI doesn’t mean outsourcing your voice — it means getting out of your own way. It’s only as good as the content and context you give it (I regularly paste whole outlines or previous pieces I’ve written). Use it to generate a rough starting point, then shape it with your own insight and tone.
How I’m Using AI
7. To brainstorm ideas.
Tools Used: ChatGPT Voice, ChatGPT Text
Sometimes I just need a thought partner. A sounding board. A creative nudge. A list of ideas to get my wheels turning.
AI tools like ChatGPT are great for bouncing ideas around. And even better, ChatGPT Voice enables you to have a conversation in a much more natural way, as if you were brainstorming with a colleague.
One situation I’m increasingly growing fond of is pulling up ChatGPT Voice when I’ve got a 20-minute drive, and brainstorming about something I’m working on.
☑️ Example: Ahead of a recent event, I wanted to do a giveaway or interactive game — something fun, relevant, and easy to manage. I asked ChatGPT to brainstorm options, giving it details about the setting, audience, and vibe I was going for. It surfaced 10 ideas I hadn’t considered, including a few that became finalists for the event.
I’ve also used AI to:
Generate headline options for a social post.
Expand on a client’s sustainer acquisition strategy.
Explore alternative naming conventions for an idea I was stuck on.
💡 Takeaway: AI can help you move from “stuck” to “start” by throwing out ideas, refining your thinking, and helping you see around creative corners.
How I’m Using AI
8. To research.
Tools Used: Copilot, Google, ChatGPT
Old method: spend hours googling, opening 17 tabs, reading reviews, getting overwhelmed.
New method: Ask AI a clear, specific question, tell it what you are looking for, and follow up as needed.
☑️ Example: In January, we decided to buy a treadmill. I wanted one with a built-in screen that could stream apps like Netflix or Disney+, but without requiring a subscription to a treadmill service like Peloton. I started with Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT, asking for treadmills that fit that criteria. Within minutes, I had a shortlist of models that checked all the boxes. After cross-checking features, reviews, and watching a few videos, we ended up with the Sole F89 — and love it.
Recently, I used AI to research alternative voice note apps. The app we currently use, Voxer, is a little clunky. I asked for alternatives with a modern interface, high-quality audio, and collaborative features. ChatGPT introduced me to apps I hadn’t heard of or considered, including Yac, Telegram, and WhatsApp – we’re currently testing them, and the jury is still out, but I wouldn’t have thought of these alternatives without ChatGPT.
💡 Takeaway: AI tools can help you surface relevant, personalized insights faster — making your decision-making smarter, not just quicker.
How I’m Using AI
9. To remind me.
Tools Used: Siri
This one might seem basic, but it’s become extremely useful.
I use voice-based reminders constantly. I just say, “Hey Siri, remind me…” and the rest takes care of itself.
I don’t like to clog up my memory with trivial things like reminders.
Here are a few ways I’ve used Siri for reminders:
“Remind me when I get home to bring the Amazon return inside.”
“Remind me tonight at 6:00 p.m. to start prepping dinner.”
“Remind me in an hour to change the laundry.”
Whether it’s time-based, location-based, or just a nudge to switch gears, it works.
💡 Takeaway: You don’t need a fancy AI assistant to make a big difference. Start small — voice-activated reminders can declutter your brain and help you stay focused on what matters.
How I’m Using AI
10. To design a talk.
Tools Used: ChatGPT
I was invited to deliver a 20-minute talk at AFP ICON — one of the world's largest fundraising conferences.
The challenge? I had an existing 60-minute talk, and I didn’t want just to trim it down — I wanted to reimagine it for a different format and audience.
So, I turned to ChatGPT.
☑️ Example: I fed in my original talk outline, explained the audience and event constraints, and asked for help designing a shorter version that still packed a punch. The results included two viable outlines, a compelling new title — From Netflix to Nonprofits — and a crisp description that I used in the program.
I spend anywhere from 20 to 100 hours on a new talk. Instead, I was able to generate this variation on an existing speech in minutes, and polish it to my standards in just a few hours.
💡 Takeaway: Whether you’re working on a new talk, workshop, or board presentation, AI can act like a smart collaborator — helping you shape your content, clarify your message, and elevate your impact.
That wraps up the second half of this list. I hope this post has given you a few ideas on how to utilize AI to grow yourself and your organization in meaningful ways.
From trip planning to talk designing, voice notes to writing drafts — AI is increasingly becoming a trusted, efficient, and surprisingly creative coworker. When used well, it doesn’t replace you — it multiplies your capacity.
This past year, I created a downloadable guide titled "12 Ways to Leverage AI." It’s still very relevant to today:
Above: "12 Ways to Leverage AI" is a guide to utilizing AI tools for increased efficiency and effectiveness. Download the guide now at www.imago.consulting/ai.
Until next week… Surfs Up! 🌊
- Dave
About the Author | Dave Raley
Consultant, speaker, and author Dave Raley is the founder of Imago Consulting, a firm that helps nonprofits and businesses who serve nonprofits create profitable growth through sustainable innovation. He’s the author of the book The Rise of Sustainable Giving: How the Subscription Economy is Transforming Recurring Giving, and What Nonprofits Can Do to Benefit. Dave also writes a weekly innovation and leadership column called The Wave Report, and the co-founder of the Purpose & Profit Podcast — a show about the ideas at the intersection of nonprofit causes and for-profit brands. Connect with Dave on LinkedIn.
Want to receive insights like this weekly?
Every Friday, we send out The Wave Report, highlighting one trend or insight “wave,” from donor and consumer trends to innovation in different industries or new models for growth.
Subscribe today to receive free weekly insights in your inbox here: