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Productivity Pros,
One of my favorite under-the-radar AI apps is MyLense. It visualizes data from sources in virtually any format, or you can prompt it to conduct its own research. Here's an (alarming) look at the sources used most by AI chatbots when they search the web—an important reminder that AI assists, doesn't replace, your work:
From conventional charts to sophisticated mind maps and flowcharts, it can tell your data's story in many formats. The visualizations are interactive and easily shareable by linking, embedding or downloading.
The free plan is generous. Give it a whirl and reply on LinkedIn with your creation. Then, explore all my recommended AI tools—battle-tested for benefit and dependability. The latest addition is Anything, my new favorite vibe coding app. I can't wait for you to see what I'm building with it. Get 500 free credits →
And below: The latest AI news you can't miss. As always, if it's helpful, thank me with a share.
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Onward 🦾,
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OpenAI
GPT-5 had a rocky rollout.
- If GPT-4 was a college student, GPT-5 is a PhD-level expert on everything. At least, that's how Sam Altman described the highly anticipated model at its debut event.
- With mixed expectations came mixed reactions, but GPT-5 is objectively state-of-the-art in writing, coding, math and health guidance. (Interestingly, insights on health have emerged as a top use of AI and core metric for evaluating performance.)
- GPT-5 also hallucinates less and communicates honestly when it's unlikely to fulfill a request effectively.
- The three-model GPT-5 family replaces a flurry of previous models to offer a unified, simpler experience, where you no longer need to pick models or choose when to enable "thinking" (reasoning).
- But many users lamented that reduced control, especially as the system persistently failed to invoke thinking at the right times. So, OpenAI added a dropdown with three options:
- "Fast" for instant answers;
- "Thinking" for reasoning; or
- "Auto" (default) for the system to choose based on your prompt.
- And to the surprise of OpenAI (and sane observers like yours truly), an alarming portion of users said that with the retirement of GPT-4o, they lost a friend, therapist or romantic partner.
- That prompted OpenAI to restore 4o as an option for paid users.
- And it underscored the mounting concern over unhealthy attachments to AI chatbots leading to "AI psychosis."
- GPT-5 is available to all users, including those on the free plan, with various usage limits. (When you reach your quota, GPT-5 Mini kicks in.)
- Along with the new models, OpenAI added the ability to choose a ChatGPT "personality" and customize your visual theme.
- At a candid dinner with reporters, Sam Altman said OpenAI has better models it can't release due to computing limitations.
Nutt's Notes
- How you feel about GPT-5 depends on your expectations. If you were expecting AGI, it's definitely not there. If you were expecting a noticeable improvement from GPT-4, you're pleased.
- However, its gain from GPT-4 is far smaller than the jump from 3 to 4. And its lead over top models from competing labs is also smaller than GPT-4's profound advantage when it debuted.
- The welcome surprise was GPT-5's availability to free users, which grants them access to a reasoning model for the first time.
- The unwelcome surprise was the amplification of AI's toll on mental health.
Trends
"Learning modes" abound.
In the previous Productivity Nexus, I wrote about ChatGPT's new Study Mode.
- Using Socratic questioning and constructive feedback, it guides students to conclusions rather than answering outright.
- Prompts, hints and knowledge checks foster deeper comprehension through participation.
It took no time for Google and Anthropic to respond with features that take the same approach:
- In Gemini, Guided Learning is an option within the prompt box. Google also made its AI Pro plan available for free to students.
- In Claude, you'll find Learning among the styles you can choose for the output.
Nutt's Notes
- Learning is a top use case of AI, and these Socratic study modes unlock its potential.
- While the trend is a boon to students and their budget-conscious parents, it's likely to accelerate the displacement of tutors and other education-adjacent professions.
AI Need-to-Know
- For Plus subscribers, ChatGPT can now reference Gmail, Google Calendar and other connectors in any chat, without requiring deep research.
- In response to GPT-5, xAI made Grok 4 free for a limited time.
- Perplexity offered to acquire Chrome from Google for $34.5B, which exceeds Perplexity's valuation by $20B. It's likely a marketing gimmick but intrigues me nonetheless because I'd love to see it propel Comet.
- Anthropic added memory to Claude, allowing it to reference past chats. It's more cautious than ChatGPT's memory, recalling previous conversations only when asked.
- Gemini got memory, too, along with a temporary chat option.
- On the heels of ChatGPT's Study mode, Google also released Guided Learning mode for Gemini, which similarly guides users to answers rather than answering directly. It's also offering its AI Pro plan free to students.
- More Google: Flights got AI-powered search.
- And with Google's Genie 3 model, users can generate and navigate interactive environments, including real-world simulations, which will be a boon to training AI robots.
- LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman has an interesting take on OpenAI's GPT-5 strategy and potential for 1 billion weekly active users by year's end.
- Lindy, the exceedingly useful AI-first automation builder, released version 3.0 with "vibe coding for AI agents" and Autopilot, which gives agents their own computer.
- Gemini Storybook creates and narrates illustrated stories from your ideas and photos. I had fun with my first stab at it.
- xAI rolled out Grok Imagine for generating images and videos. In Grok's spirit of fewer restrictions, a "Spicy" mode produces NSFW content.
- ElevenLabs added music generation to its suite of capabilities.
Red-Hot Resources
The Bulletproof Framework for Notion
The Bulletproof framework is my flagship contribution to the Notion universe, helping millions of users maximize the app. With the debut of Version 4, it reset the standard for Notion Workspaces. If you're not using it or learning from it, take the tour, then join Notion A-to-Z for full access to Bulletproof and all other templates and resources from Notion VIP.
There's a version for Coda, too, if that's you preference.
The Battle-Tested AI Tools Fueling Top Performers
My curated list of AI tools with proven benefits—the ones most recommended by experts and core to my own workflow.
8 Ingredients of Highly Effective Prompts
When it comes to harnessing the power of AI, one of the most accessible improvements you can make is enhancing the quality of your prompts. The quality of AI output is largely determined by the quality of your input—specifically, the prompt you provide. Let's walk through eight essential ingredients of an effective prompt to consider each time you interact with an AI chatbot or craft custom instructions for a GPT, Gem, or project.
Notion Flowchart Generator
Easily generate Mermaid code for rendering useful and beautiful flowcharts in Notion's Code blocks.
10 Crucial Roles of AI in Your Workflow
Ten ways everyone should use AI reflexively throughout their day to boost eficiency and productivity.
Your 10-Minute Jumpstart to Formulas 2.0
I'm actively creating tutorials on the essential formulas and functions used in the Notion Wealth Tracker. This jumpstart is an essential prerequisite.
The WWWH Prompting Framework
The quality of your responses from AI is a function of the quality of your prompts. My WWWH framework ensures you provide the information the AI needs, in a format it will understand.
The 12 Golden Rules of Notion
I've developed countless workspaces and worked intensively with the Notion team, top experts, and users of all stripes. Along the way, I established a set of core principles for maximizing Notion. They underpin every strategy I hone and resource I craft. Skip years of learning the hard way, and let them guide your own approach to Notion.
Next-Generation Wealth Tracker for Google Sheets
This sophisticated wealth tracker leverages the latest features of Google Sheets to create a simple, powerful tool for managing your entire net worth in one familiar place. And it's an extraordinary way to master Google Sheets.
Create Your Team of Personalized AI Assistants
The #1 way to harness AI is to create a team of specialized, personalized assistants. Here's how to do it in a snap.
Notion vs. Coda: 30 Key Differences
You've seen Notion inspire a whole new app category that’s redefining productivity. But it’s not doing it alone: Coda is just as instrumental in the rise of “all-in-one” apps.
They’re built on the same foundational concept, but Notion and Coda have distinct differences that suit them for particular users. The best one for you depends on your priorities.
To make it easy to find your match, I conducted a methodical comparison that revealed the most consequential differences between Notion and Coda.
Animated Page Covers
You can make your Notion pages look stunning with animated covers. But choose them carefully: Stick to gradients and subtle patterns to avoid distractions, and use SVGs over GIFs, which are grainy and bulky. To make that easy, I aggregated my best animated covers for you to preview and download instantly. Six are available for free. Members of Notion A-to-Z get more than 40.
Create Stunning Card Previews
One of the best ways to enrich a Notion workspace is the Gallery database layout with robust card previews. That's partly what makes the Bulletproof Framework such an exceptional Notion experience. So I created a tool for generating
similar cards for your own workspaces.
Tools of the Modern Professional
Tried and true tools that fuel the Nutt Labs machine.
- Fillout — One of my top-5 productivity principals is collecting information through forms, never freeform docs or especially email. Fillout is the best tool for it—and much more.
- Tally — Another incredible form tool—simpler than Fillout if you don't need the bells and whistles.
- Cal.com — The booming Calendly alternative with robust integrations and automations.
- Wispr — Another top-5 productivity principal: Speak, don't type. Wispr transcribes and polishes your spoken word in any app—desktop or mobile.
- Voicenotes — And Voicenotes captures your rambling ideas, then tidies and formats however you need them.
- Otter — My go-to for transcribing, summarizing, and organizing meetings. I love Otter for its versatility and rich UI.
- Notion — The all-in-one app that stole my heart and ignited my success when I launched Notion VIP. It's the operating system of my business and life.
- Coda — An all-in-one app like Notion, but with more horsepower.
- Make — The most affordable, yet dependable, automated workflow builder—far more capable than Zapier.
- Lindy — The AI-first automated workflow builder.
- Screen Studio — Ever wonder how I capture those silky smooth zooms in my screen recordings? They're automated with Screen Studio—an indispensable tool in my production workflow.
- Ideogram — The top AI image generator, with exceptional ability to generate text and an elegant interface.
- Descript — My indispensable video production app with innovative script-based editing. It also converts my cruddy audio to studio sound.
- ElevenLabs — The top AI voice generator. It's just a few updates from allowing me to ditch recording and use text-to-speech exclusively. Can't. Wait.
- Softr — The easiest way to build powerful web apps that integrate seamlessly with Notion, Airtable, Google Sheets, et al.
- Super — Hands-down, the best way to publish Notion as a website, with a custom design and domain. The Super team upholds incredibly high standards.
- Lovable — The #1 way to create sophisticated, gorgeous web apps through natural-language AI—AKA "vibe coding."
- Robinhood — The app that democratized investing is becoming a full-fledged financial services company. I love everything Robinhood does—and you can't beat its unlimited 3%-back credit card. With this link, you'll get a gift stock when you join.
- Mercury — Banking services exceedingly well tailored for modern professionals. Truly among the best experiences across categories.
- Wealthfront — My indispensable destination for earning interest on cash and automated investing. Wealthfront consistently offers the highest APY and simplest UX.
Let's supercharge your workflow.
I help ambitious professionals leverage next-generation tools to achieve profound efficiency and productivity. If you're serious about modernizing your workflow to maximize your performance 👇
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