Life often feels like a constant juggling act, with work deadlines, family commitments and personal goals all competing for our attention. 

Thankfully, AI is stepping in to help, offering tools that save time and keep life running smoothly.

Google has long been at the forefront of AI innovation, integrating it into everyday products such as Search, Maps, Photos and Workspace. 

These features streamline daily tasks, from real-time traffic updates to effortless photo organisation and drafting smarter emails. By embedding AI into these services, Google has helped transform how we work and play – with no special tech know-how required.

Here are five ways these cutting-edge AI solutions can save you time and energy…

Google Gemini acts as a super-smart AI assistant, ready 24/7 to simplify your workday. 

Take meetings, for example. You can use Gemini in Google Meet to automatically make notes for you, allowing you to focus on the conversation, stay present and contribute fully to what’s being said (just remember to let other attendees know that you’re using this function up front).

Putting together a summary of work for your manager? Gemini can make it easier to refine your ideas into an easy-to-digest format, allowing you to be your most creative self without getting bogged down in the admin.

Try using a prompt like, ‘organise this into a one-page document that I can share with my manager’ and Gemini will swiftly turn your thoughts into a polished document.

By handling these repetitive admin tasks, Gemini frees you up to focus on strategic planning, creative problem-solving or the parts of your job you truly enjoy.

Want to understand a little more about how Gemini can help streamline your working life? Google’s AI Essentials courses are the perfect place to improve your AI understanding, through both in-depth knowledge and practical tools. Click here to sign up and find out more.

Gemini isn’t just for work – it can be your personal assistant for everything else, too. 

Need dinner inspiration? Tell Gemini what’s in your fridge and it’ll suggest recipes to save time and cut food waste.

Maybe you’re planning a holiday. Gemini can put together an extensive itinerary for you, from finding direct flights to locating your dream hotel.

Got a big fitness goal on the horizon? Gemini can help you build a schedule to keep you motivated and on track. Just try a prompt like: ‘’I need to train for a 10k run in 6 weeks, make me a training plan.”  

Whether you’re brainstorming ideas for personal goals or juggling a busy week, Gemini helps keep you organised so you can focus on what matters most.

If you have an Android phone, Circle To Search is a game-changer for anyone tired of spending hours hunting online for something specific.

Here’s how it works. Just highlight anything on your screen with a circle – a bag you love, a product featured in a video or even a snippet of text that sparks your curiosity – and Circle To Search will instantly provide you with more information about what you’re looking at. 

Say you’re looking at an image of a celeb wearing a shirt you like. Circle To Search It can help you find the exact same one online, or suggest similar alternatives you might like to consider. All without you leaving the app or web page you’re looking at.

Whether you’re shopping, researching or just satisfying your curiosity, Circle To Search transforms your browsing into a seamless experience, saving you hours of endless scrolling and searching.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re buried under an overwhelming amount of information, NotebookLM is here to simplify things. This AI-powered research assistant transforms complex research into easy-to-digest formats.

NotebookLM organises your documents, highlights key points and even answers questions based on your materials. Preparing for a big project? It can sift through hundreds of pages to extract the most relevant details, saving you hours of reading.

It can also create concise study guides based on your research. If you’re someone who prefers listening to reading, it can also turn materials into engaging audio summaries. Like a personalised podcast you can listen to while commuting.

Whether you’re a professional, student or lifelong learner, NotebookLM helps you spend less time sorting through data and more time putting your insights to work.

Gemini Live (available through the Gemini app) takes the intelligence of Gemini and transforms it into a real-time AI voice assistant you can chat with.

It helps you brainstorm ideas, prepare for big moments like interviews and presentations, or offer helpful tips. Whether you need to plan a business project, come up with a last-minute gift idea for your gran or strategize how to make your day more productive, Gemini Live has you covered.

If you’re preparing for something major, like a presentation, Gemini Live even doubles as a rehearsal partner, offering real-time feedback to help you shine. 

Think of Gemini Live as a PA in your pocket that saves you time, reduces stress and ensures you’re fully prepared for whatever comes your way.

So next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, whether in your work or home life, remember Google’s suite of AI tools are on hand to streamline and simplify, allowing you to take back your time and focus on what really matters.

Want to learn how Google’s AI tools can help you take your time back? From present planning to career dreaming, these tools can help you take on the to-do list with renewed creativity and efficiency, leaving you free to focus on what truly matters to you in work and life. Google’s AI Essentials courses are the perfect place to improve your AI understanding, through both in-depth knowledge and practical tools. Find out more and sign up here.