Welcome to this week’s Consulting the Machine!

We’re exploring how AI can make meetings more efficient.

Ever sat through a long, unfocused meeting?

AI tools are here to streamline discussions, save time, and keep everyone on track.

Whether you’re in an office or joining remotely, these tools can help make meetings productive and stress-free.

Let’s explore how AI is changing the game!

Inside, we'll share:

Meetings can drag on, but AI is stepping in to help.

Take Jane, a project manager at a small marketing firm.

Her team used to spend hours in disorganized meetings, with notes scattered and action items unclear.

Then they tried an AI tool called Otter.ai, which records meetings, transcribes conversations in real time, and highlights key points.

Now, Jane’s team stays focused, and follow-ups are clear. AI also helps schedule meetings by analyzing calendars to find the best times, reducing back-and-forth emails.

Tools like these are making meetings shorter and more effective, letting teams focus on actual work.

Even small businesses or community groups can use these tools to run smoother discussions without needing tech expertise.

It’s about working smarter, not harder.

Want to make your next meeting more efficient?

Try Fireflies.ai, a free AI tool that records and transcribes meetings.

Here’s how to start

1) Sign up for a free account at fireflies.ai.

2) Add the Fireflies bot to your next Zoom or Google Meet call (it joins like a participant).

3) After the meeting, check your Fireflies dashboard for a transcript and key action items.

Review the summary to share clear next steps with your team. No tech skills needed, just let the AI do the heavy lifting.

Give it a try and see how it saves time!

Explore these three AI tools to make meetings smoother:

1) Otter.ai transcribes and summarizes meetings in real time. Tip: Use its free plan to record and share notes with your team.

2) Notion AI organizes meeting notes and drafts agendas. Tip: Paste raw notes and ask it to create a summary.

3) Doodle AI simplifies scheduling by finding the best meeting times. Tip: Connect your calendar for quick poll creation.

These tools are easy to use and perfect for beginners.

We’d love to hear your meeting stories!

How do you keep discussions on track?

Have you tried AI tools like Otter or Fireflies to streamline your meetings?

Share your tips or challenges by replying to this newsletter.

This week, we’re spotlighting Sarah, a teacher who used Fireflies.ai to transcribe parent-teacher conferences.

She says it saved hours of note-taking and helped her focus on connecting with parents.

Send us your story for a chance to be featured!

Next week, we’re exploring AI for mental health support.

From apps that offer calming exercises to tools that track mood patterns, AI is helping people manage stress and well-being.

Curious how it works or have a mental health topic you’d like us to cover?

Drop us a note with your thoughts or questions. Let’s keep the conversation going!

Got suggestions or questions?

Let us know via email or tag us in a Facebook comment, or a thread on X.