Got AI? [Testing Calendly]

Looking For an #AI to Manage Your Life? I tested out Calendly - started by #TopeAwotona - for Ziff Davis PCMag - and was impressed with its adaptive intelligence and smart UI.

While on assignment I went through the basic set-up for PCMag's 20M, or so, readers. In the spirit of good tech/geek "how tos" I was both detailed and precise, going through everything to show how the app "trains" the underlying AI by setting rules.

If you're looking for an AI to handle the agonizing back-and-forth of setting up meetings, I recommend it. In the piece for PCMag I cover account set-up, time increments, templates, browser plug-ins and customizing availability options.

When I first used the service I allowed people to cram in as many meetings as possible. Now I'm sensible and use the built-in time buffer tool (see image) to give me some breathing space before diving back in.

Interestingly, while researching the subject, I went through set-up on two different Chromebooks (yes, I'm a fan). One was cleared of history, cookies and cache, while the other had the digital footprint of an experienced Calendly user. For the former, I got the starter edition (which is what's in the article). The other Chromebook experience got me upgraded (temporarily, for a 14-day trial) and offered a bunch of extended functionality, including intricate personalization, analytics, workflow and a host of nudges, reminders and 3rd party tools integrations.

I received more targeted messaging by providing more details on the second test. Usually I ignore this, but Calendly employs some decent writers and this promo on how consultants are using the service is worth a read.

For example, users can integrate with Stripe and PayPal to collect fees before the meeting takes place, if selected. I was curious about this pre-paid option functionality. For example, if therapists are using Calendly, and one hasn’t coughed up for the session, does Calendly automatically cancel and re-book someone else with a better sense of proprietary? The mind boggles. Handling bill payments (or late payers) is a less-than-pleasurable aspect of freelance life. The idea that I could outsource *that* to an #AI is awesome. I'll let you know if I chose that integration further down the line.

IMHO, we're at a tipping point around the level of comfort humans feel concerning interacting with our silicon cousins.

For this reason, I don't use Calendly as an option to book all my meetings. Most of my current C-Suite executive ghostwriting clients have gatekeepers, as do the VCs who re-route them to me - and I'd like to stay the right side of them (power behind the throne and all that). Yet, increasingly, many co-workers are no longer human and they'd be fine with a fellow AI.

For everyone else, including more social encounters, it works really well. Especially as the asynchronous nature of work, across international time zones, with multiple lines of businesses, makes it tricky to coordinate schedules.

So would I recommend Calendly? Yes. I hate booking meetings and Calendly has been smooth and simple. It has also helped me claw back an enormous amount of time by letting the AI handle my scheduling.

Eventually, of course, I’d like to clone myself so my digital doppelganger* can handle the meetings themselves.

*although, arguably, we're all cyborgs now.