Must-Have AI Tools for Startup Founders in 2025
CEO The Librarian
In 2025, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept. It's a transformative force reshaping workplaces across the globe. Much like the internet revolutionised how we connect and work, AI is now redefining productivity, creativity, and decision-making in ways we could only imagine a few years ago.
The Power of AI in the Workplace
AI is not just about automation; it’s about empowerment. By taking over repetitive tasks, providing personalised assistance, and enhancing decision-making, AI allows professionals to focus on what truly matters which is creativity, strategy, and innovation. Here are some of the key areas where AI is making a difference:
- Task Automation: AI handles mundane, repetitive tasks, freeing up time for more meaningful work.
- Personalized Assistance: Tools like AI executive assistants help manage schedules, retrieve information, and even summarize content.
- Enhanced Decision-Making: With data-driven insights, AI enables smarter, faster decisions.
- Fostering Creativity: AI tools are helping professionals experiment and innovate, from creating presentations to producing videos.
The 4 AI Tools I Can’t Live Without as a Startup Founder
Several AI tools are leading this revolution, each designed to address specific workplace needs. Here are four standout examples that have transformed the way I work as a founder:
1. The Librarian
Your very own WhatsApp AI Executive Assistant. It is designed to tackle any task you throw at it: send emails, schedule meetings, find info, and more so you can stay productive on the go.
There are a lot of cool features, but here are my top three:
- Morning Briefs: I can't live without this anymore. Every morning at 7am, I get a message with an overview of my day ahead.
- Voice Commands: This is a killer feature. It's so handy to just dictate instructions to reply to emails, set reminders, schedule meetings, or post to LinkedIn even while riding my bike.
- Memory & Facts: Productivity gains are huge when I don't have to repeat my Zoom link, office address, or other details. The Librarian remembers it all and fills in the gaps.
The above are just some examples that highlight how this Assistant streamlines my work and has become an indispensable day-to-day tool for me.
2. Beautiful.AI
A tool that has redefined how I create presentations. It has replaced PowerPoint and Google Slides in my workflow for nearly two years now. Here's the methodology I use to maximize its potential:
- Draft the Initial Storyline: Before diving into Beautiful.ai, I draft the storyline for my presentation with the help of The Librarian. Leveraging its access to my emails, files, and Slack messages, it generates a strong first draft.
- Refine the Storyline: I then refine the storyline to ensure clarity and completeness, making it ready for the next step. I will only consider this step to be done when I feel that if I would give the storyline to an intern, he or she would do a first solid v1.
- Generate and Fine-Tune the Slides: Once the storyline is ready, I paste it into Beautiful.AI, which generates a polished first draft of the presentation in under a minute. From there, fine-tuning the content and layout is quick and seamless, thanks to its intuitive design.
This process has transformed a task that used to take days into one that now takes just a few hours. You can experience the magic of BeautifulAI yourself by using this referral link.
3. Lumen5
A video creation tool that has made professional video production accessible to everyone. In my case, Lumen5 has eliminated the need for a freelancer, allowing me to create videos in under an hour. Here's how I do it:
- Draft the Script with TheLibrarian.io: I start by drafting the script with the help of The Librarian, which generates a strong first draft by leveraging its memory and access to my work.
- Let Lumen5 Work Its Magic: I then drop the script into Lumen5, which automatically generates scenes that match the script, complete with overlay images, video clips, and an AI-powered voiceover.
- Fine-Tune the Video: Finally, I edit each scene using Lumen5's drag-and-drop features to ensure the content aligns perfectly with my vision. Once satisfied, I generate the final video.
For an example, check out this video I did about "How to Get Networking Superpowers." This tool has truly revolutionized video creation, making it faster, easier, and more cost-effective.
4. NotebookLM
This groundbreaking tool from Google takes AI capabilities to the next level. You know how AI can feel magical at times? NotebookLM is the perfect example of that!
Forget about the use case where you share a doc with ChatGPT and ask it to summarize or answer questions. That almost feels like the past compared to what NotebookLM can do.
Here's how it works:
- Provide Sources: Upload any type of source like PDFs, websites, videos, audio files, Google Docs, or Google Slides.
- Engaging Podcast: In a few minutes, it will turn that info into a podcast featuring two hosts discussing the topic. The AI even creates analogies to simplify complex topics and enhance the listener's experience.
- Real-time Interaction: NotebookLM allows users to interact with the podcast in real time. You can ask the hosts to clarify points, dive deeper into topics, or redirect the discussion, and the AI adapts the podcast accordingly.
If you're curious to see what it can do before trying it out, here is a recent podcast episode I generated about this article: "Agentic AI: Reimagining Data Engineering and Management."
This tool has radically changed how I consume any document or article as now I'd rather listen to it while commuting or going for a run.
Embracing the Future with AI
The message is clear: AI is here to revolutionize the way we work. By embracing these tools with an open mindset, professionals can unlock new levels of productivity and creativity. The key is to experiment, adapt, and integrate AI into daily workflows to maximise its potential.
As we move forward, the workplace will continue to evolve, driven by AI's ability to empower individuals and teams. The future is bright for those who are ready to embrace this revolution.