Your first AI automation: pick the boring task

The best first automation is small, frequent, and annoying. A simple way to choose one and build it safely.

Find the candidate

List tasks you do at least weekly that follow the same steps each time. Copying data between apps, sending reminders, and summarizing notes are classic starting points.

Map it before you build

Write the steps on paper: trigger, inputs, decisions, output. If you can’t describe it, a tool can’t do it.

Build with a no-code tool

Tools like Make, Zapier, or n8n connect your apps. Add an AI step only where judgment or writing is needed.

Test, then trust gradually

Run it alongside your manual process for a week. Compare results before you switch the manual version off.

Want help applying this? See how we work or browse AI tools.