Hey Friends,
Hope you had a great week. The AI scene was moving fas as always. My job? Cut through the hype and hand you the stuff that'll actually move the needle.
Plus, I’m diving into something at the end about human connection that's pure GOLD. I guarantee it will get your wheels turning.
Let's get to the good stuff.
NOTION MAIL IS YOUR INBOX'S NEW BEST FRIEND
Notion's new AI-powered email client, Notion Mail, is a must for anyone drowning in emails.
This tool uses GPT-4.1 to auto-sort your inbox into categories like clients, projects, or urgent tasks. Its "Views" feature lets you organize emails like a Notion database, and it syncs with Notion Calendar for effortless scheduling.
I've been using Gmail forever, and while it's good, there's always been something missing. My inbox never quite feels organized the way my brain works. I'm a huge Notion user (my entire life runs on it), so I'm pretty excited about this integration.
I've only dabbled with Notion Mail so far, but I'll be diving deeper this week. What I love about tools like this is they don't replace me - they make me more productive. That's always what I'm looking for in AI tools.
If you’re like me — this is your ticket to taming chaos without hiring an assistant. It's free (with premium AI options), though it's Gmail-only for now, and some users want deeper Notion integration. If you live in Notion, this could be your email command center.
Try it: Log into Notion's site or app, connect your Gmail, and watch your inbox get organized.
META'S AI APP IS COMING FOR CHATGPT'S CROWN
Meta just launched a standalone Meta AI app, and it's making waves.
Powered by Llama 4, it dropped with voice-driven chats and personalization pulled from public Facebook and Instagram data. It's even baked into Meta's AI glasses, blending software and hardware.
Tech publications are calling it a "ChatGPT rival," and users are hyped for its natural voice interactions. For businesses, this opens doors for AI-powered customer engagement, like voice-based support or social media campaigns.
Meta's data approach raises privacy flags, but this is a bold play in the AI race.
Why it matters: Marketers and customer-focused businesses, keep an eye on this—it could reshape how you reach audiences.
MOVEWORKS AI AGENT MARKETPLACE: PLUG-AND-PLAY PRODUCTIVITY
Everyone's racing to crack AI agents, and Moveworks' AI Agent Marketplace is a standout.
It's a hub of hundreds of pre-built AI agents, integrated with tech giants like ServiceNow, Slack, and Jira. These agents handle repetitive tasks—think automating IT tickets, scheduling, or data pulls without you coding a thing.
For business owners, this is like hiring a digital workforce that works 24/7. The focus here is pure productivity: less time on busywork, more on strategy. Users are calling it a "no-brainer" for scaling ops efficiently.
Get started: Check out Moveworks' site to explore the marketplace and plug agents into your stack.
CLAUDE INTEGRATIONS: YOUR WORKFLOW'S NEW BRAIN
Anthropic's Claude just got a major upgrade with integrations into 10+ popular apps (like Trello, Asana, and Slack) via the Model Customization Platform (MCP).
This lets Claude automate deep workflows — think pulling tasks from Jira, updating project boards, or drafting reports across apps. It's a big deal for entrepreneurs who need tools to talk to each other without constant manual tweaks.
The AI agent race is all about productivity, and Claude's integrations are a step toward a world where your apps run themselves. Users praise its flexibility, especially for custom setups.
Why it's hot: If your business relies on multiple tools, this could cut hours of admin work.
A FEW NEW AI TOOLS TO SUPERCHARGE YOUR GAME
The web's buzzing with fresh AI tools that are perfect for lean teams. Here's what's turning heads:
Claude Code: A coding AI that lives in your terminal and edits projects directly. Devs are raving, saying it's like a co-founder who codes all night. Ideal for tech founders building fast.
DDASHID: AI avatar generation for next-level branding. I was a beta tester for this group several years ago and they have an incredibly impressive team. Whip up custom visuals for ads or social in seconds — huge for scrappy marketing teams.
Check it out here: https://www.d-id.com/
MIKE'S TIME TO NERD OUT: HUMAN CONNECTION IS YOUR AI-PROOF ADVANTAGE
I've been thinking about something my friend Ben Levy does that's strangely powerful in today's AI-driven world.
Shaan Puri recently wrote about Ben's extraordinary ability to stay connected with people. What makes Ben special? He texts around 100 different people DAILY with no agenda beyond genuine connection.
Some examples of what Ben actually does:
- If you write a blog post, he'll text you specific feedback about what resonated with him
- He sends relevant articles or resources that might help with your current projects
- He knows your favorite sports team and texts you after games
- He remembers to follow up on conversations weeks later ("How did that meeting go?")
It's not just random check-ins. Ben pays attention to details and creates meaningful touchpoints consistently. As Shaan put it, "If a Lannister always pays their debts, then the Levy's always send their texts."
I've been trying to implement some of these strategies myself. Not at Ben's scale (yet!), but I've set up systems to ensure I don't let important relationships fade:
- Calendar reminders for regular check-ins with key people
- A notes system to track personal details that matter to others
- Daily "relationship building" time blocks where all I do is reach out
- No-agenda calls with people I want to stay connected with
Here's why I think this matters more than ever:
As AI gets increasingly capable of doing the "work" parts of our jobs, the uniquely human ability to build authentic relationships becomes your ultimate competitive advantage.
Think about it - we're entering a world where:
- AI can write your emails, but it can't grab coffee with a potential partner
- AI can analyze your data, but it can't sense when someone needs emotional support
- AI can optimize your processes, but it can't create trust through shared experiences
The more AI handles tactical execution, the more relationship-building becomes the differentiator. And not fake, transactional networking - I'm talking about the Ben Levy approach of consistent, genuine human connection.
In a world where most content will be AI-generated, where technical skills become increasingly commoditized, your network and your ability to connect authentically with others becomes the ultimate moat.
I can't stress this enough: while we're all rushing to adopt the latest AI tools (and we should!), we shouldn't neglect investing in the uniquely human skill of building meaningful relationships.
That might be the most valuable thing you do this year. And unlike AI capabilities, it only appreciates over time.
I’ll DM you soon :)
Mike
PS: Want add someone cool to this email list? Just let me know and I'll do it!
PPS: Remember this is a two-way street. If you're getting value, pay the tax. Text me, call me, email me with cool things you're seeing. I want to learn from YOU. Share challenges you're facing as well as your wins. The best stuff I share often comes from you guys. This isn't a monologue - it's a conversation between winners.
