AI Keynote Q&A: What People Really Want to Know about AI.

Whenever I give an AI keynote, I expect the big, existential questions—Is AI going to take my job? Will robots develop emotions? How do we regulate something this powerful? But while those topics make for interesting debate, what people really want to know is this:

"Can AI make my life easier?"

It turns out, the most common questions I get aren’t about AI ethics or regulations. They’re about escaping email overload, dodging endless Zoom meetings, making networking less awkward, and—yes—improving their dating lives. So, let’s break down the top things people ask me if AI can help with—and the best tools that are actually making a difference.

1. Can AI help me escape my inbox?

Short answer: Yes.

Long answer: AI is transforming email from an endless source of stress into something manageable. And that’s not just wishful thinking—companies like Google, Microsoft, and Superhuman are integrating AI into their email platforms to help cut through the clutter.

• Google’s Gemini AI (formerly Bard) is being integrated into Gmail, offering auto-summaries of long email threads and smart replies that actually sound human. No more scrolling through 15 back-and-forth messages just to figure out the main point—Gemini will summarize it in seconds.
• Microsoft Copilot for Outlook is another game-changer, helping you draft emails, prioritize your inbox, and even suggest responses that sound like you. Instead of sifting through dozens of emails each morning, Copilot will highlight the most important ones and draft suggested replies based on previous interactions.
• Superhuman, a high-end email app, uses AI to categorize messages, offer one-click responses, and speed up your workflow. It even tells you when someone has read your email, so you know if they’re ghosting you or just busy.

The goal of these tools isn’t to eliminate email (we’re not that lucky), but to make it far less painful. If you find yourself drowning in unread messages, AI can help you reclaim your time.

2. Can AI save me from Zoom meetings?

We all know the feeling—you log into a meeting that probably could have been an email, and suddenly, an hour of your life is gone. While AI can’t stop people from scheduling unnecessary calls, it can make meetings more efficient.

• Otter.ai and Fireflies.ai are leading the charge in AI-driven transcription and summarization. These tools automatically generate real-time transcriptions, highlight key points, and even create action items. So, instead of taking notes, you can actually pay attention.
• Microsoft Teams Copilot and Zoom AI Companion go a step further, providing meeting summaries even if you weren’t there. Missed a meeting? No problem—just read the AI-generated summary and catch up in two minutes instead of sixty.
• Rewatch is another great tool, turning recorded meetings into searchable transcripts so you can jump straight to the part that matters instead of rewatching the whole thing.

AI is helping turn meetings from time-sucking black holes into efficient, to-the-point interactions. And for that, we should all be grateful.

3. Can AI handle my small talk for me?

If you hate networking, you’re not alone. The awkward pauses, the forced smiles, the scramble to think of anything to say—it’s not fun for most people. AI, however, can make it a whole lot easier.

• ChatGPT and Claude can generate conversation starters, helping you prep for meetings, conferences, or even casual networking events.
• Crystal Knows is an AI-powered tool that analyzes people’s LinkedIn profiles and writing styles to suggest the best way to approach them. It’ll tell you if someone prefers direct, no-nonsense communication or likes a casual, friendly tone.
• Humantic AI takes it even further, offering personality insights based on social media and public data. You’ll know whether to start with a joke, get straight to business, or ease into a conversation with shared interests.

With AI’s help, small talk doesn’t have to feel like an awkward guessing game. You’ll walk into conversations prepared, confident, and ready to connect.

4. Can AI make my dating life less awkward?

This is probably one of the most frequent—and most enthusiastic—questions I get. And yes, AI is changing the way people approach online dating.

• Hinge’s new AI-powered prompts suggest icebreakers based on your profile, so you don’t have to come up with a witty first message on your own.
• Rizz GPT, an AI-powered chatbot, helps people craft more engaging and natural-sounding messages (without sounding like a robot).
• Teaser AI lets users chat with an AI version of a match before talking to the real person, helping gauge compatibility before investing time in an actual conversation.
• GPT-4 and Claude can suggest better ways to phrase messages, ensuring you don’t accidentally send a cringeworthy or too-generic opener.

AI won’t find the one for you, but it will help you put your best foot forward—and maybe avoid sending another “Hey, what’s up?” into the void.

5. Can AI do my job for me?

If your job involves a lot of repetitive tasks—emails, spreadsheets, scheduling, presentations—AI can definitely take some of that off your plate.

• Notion AI and Microsoft Copilot can generate reports, summarize documents, and even create slide decks.
• ChatGPT and Claude can draft emails, edit content, and help with brainstorming.
• Grammarly and Jasper refine writing, ensuring everything you send sounds polished and professional.

But here’s the thing: AI isn’t a replacement for you. It’s great at handling the boring, repetitive parts of your job, but it can’t think strategically, build relationships, or make creative leaps. If used correctly, AI will make you more efficient—not obsolete.

The Bottom Line: AI Is Here to Help—If You Use It Right

The common thread in all these questions? People don’t just want to know what AI can do—they want to know how it can help them. The good news is, AI is already making everyday life easier:

? Cutting down email overload ? Making meetings more efficient ? Easing the pain of networking ? Improving dating app interactions ? Automating repetitive work tasks

The challenge is knowing how to use AI effectively. It’s not about replacing human effort—it’s about making your time more valuable. So, the next time you find yourself drowning in emails, zoning out in a meeting, or struggling to start a conversation, remember: AI might just have your back.