You don’t need another tool. You need a version of you that actually follows through.
The email you’ve been dodging. The invoice is still sitting unsent. The document you keep opening but never finishing. That’s the gap AI is closing, not by being clever, but by becoming your second self. The one that doesn’t stall, doesn’t flake, and doesn’t quit when you do.
This week, you’ll see where that’s already happening: the updates that matter, the tools that take things off your plate, and one prompt you can drop in today to let your clone handle the boring stuff
AI Intel: Google just gave your phone a “shadow-you”
What happened
Google’s new Pixel 10 phones and Pixel Watch 4 now come with upgraded Gemini AI. Instead of just answering questions, it quietly does things for you: pulling the right info from Gmail or Calendar when you’re in an app, drafting notes from your calls, and even nudging you on tasks you’d normally forget.
Why it matters
Most people never use 90% of the features on their phone because they’re buried. This shift flips that: AI is starting to act like your second self, anticipating, tidying, finishing, instead of waiting for you to ask. For non-techies, that means less button-pushing and more “it’s already handled.”
What to do by Friday
If you use a Pixel or Wear OS device, try turning on Magic Cue in settings. Let it surface one piece of info automatically (like notes before a meeting). Notice what happens when your phone does the remembering, and you don’t.
Microsoft Brings AI Agents to Windows 11 — Your Second Self, Now Built-In
What happened
Starting in August 2025, Microsoft is rolling out new AI agent capabilities inside Windows 11. That means you can now interact with your computer in natural language, “make my cursor bigger,” “highlight this email thread,” or “generate a quick project summary”, without launching separate tools. The AI can even suggest actions based on what’s on your screen. These features are part of the larger Copilot+ ecosystem, expanding where your “second self” can quietly assist you.
Why it matters
Most people don’t think of their operating system as a place for AI help, but Microsoft is flipping that by making Windows itself act. For non-technical professionals running daily workflows from Windows, these agent-like features mean less digging through settings or apps, and more getting done without planning it.
What to do by Friday
If you’re on Windows 11 with Copilot+, enable “AI Agent in Settings.” Try requesting just one thing: resize text, tweak an image, isolate content, and note how your system starts doing the work before you even know you needed it.
1. Grammarly Docs & AI Agents — Your writing secret tool
What it does (in simple terms):
Grammarly's new AI agents inside Grammarly Docs do more than fix grammar; they help research for you, suggest tone-right edits, find citations, and even offer reader feedback as you write. It’s like having a ghostwriter tuned to your personality.
10-minute setup:
Go to grammarly.com and create a free account (use Google, Apple, or email).
Once logged in, click Grammarly Docs on the left menu; this is their AI-powered editor.
Open a new doc → paste or type some text.
On the right side, you’ll see the AI sidebar. Click it to unlock the new agents.
Try Citation Finder by highlighting a sentence and asking for a source.
Switch on Reader Reactions to see how your tone comes across.
Use AI Grader to get instant feedback on clarity and structure.
Use it this week:
Let it suggest citations when drafting a report.
Switch on Reader Reactions to see how your writing ‘feels’ to others.
Use AI Grader for instant feedback before hitting send.
Time saved:
Avoid second‑guessing every line. Grammarly’s agents help your writing get better, faster, even when you’re rushing.
2. Microsoft Excel Copilot — Your spreadsheet double
What it does (in simple terms):
Excel’s Copilot now understands natural language. You can type “classify this list into categories” or “sum late invoices automatically,” and it writes the formula for you.
10-minute setup:
Open Excel (must have Microsoft 365 with Copilot enabled, check your subscription).
Open any spreadsheet you’re already working on (expenses, project list, invoices).
Look for the Copilot icon (sparkle symbol) in the ribbon bar at the top.
Click it → a chat box opens on the right.
Type your request in plain English, like
“Classify this list of expenses into categories.
“Show overdue invoices separately.”
“Summarise this sales data into a 3-line insight.”
Copilot will either give you a formula or a summary instantly.
Use it this week:
Let it do data clean‑up or categorisation.
Ask it to summarise or highlight trends.
Watch as it puts formula logic in place without jargon.
Time saved:
No more struggling over formula syntax, your shadow‑you handles the mechanics while you stay focused on the insight.
3. Braina — Your PC voice-activated second self
What it does (in simple terms):
Braina turns your Windows computer into a voice-controlled assistant that remembers context, automates routines, and even transcribes or opens files, so you can talk to your machine the way you talk to yourself.
10-minute setup:
Download Braina for Windows from brainasoft.com.
Install and open the app → you’ll see a voice command window.
Connect your microphone (built-in or headset).
Click the mic button in Braina to start voice control.
Test a simple command:
Say “Open Calculator.” → Braina launches it.
Say “Dictate note” → start speaking, and it types for you.
Say “Search my files for ‘invoice’” → it finds matching documents.
Explore the Commands tab for automation options (like opening folders or running tasks).
Use it this week:
Dictate meeting follow-ups while walking away from your desk.
Let Braina open recurring files for you.
Automate a routine like launching your weekly prep folder with one voice command.
Time saved:
Your computer listens, remembers, and acts, like having a silent assistant inside your PC.
Prompt of the Week (with context)
Use case:
Draft a clear, professional reply to a client or colleague when you’re behind schedule and don’t want to sound defensive.
Copy/paste:
"You are my email writing assistant. Write a short, professional reply to [name] explaining that I’m running behind schedule but will deliver [project/task] by [new deadline]. Keep it polite, confident, and reassuring, without over-explaining or making excuses."
Why it works:
Instead of wasting 20 minutes rewriting an awkward apology, AI gives you a clean, confident message you can send in seconds. It keeps you sounding professional while giving you breathing room.
Q&A of the Week
Q: “I like the idea of using AI, but I don’t feel comfortable trusting it with client-facing work. What if it makes mistakes or writes something that sounds wrong?”
A: This is the fear no one admits out loud: what if AI makes you look unprofessional? The truth is, AI will make mistakes, but the key is in how you use it. Think of it as a drafting partner, not a final voice.
Here’s the safe, smart way to use it without risking your reputation:
Use it upstream, not downstream. Let AI create the first draft of an email, report, or proposal, but never hit send without scanning. You edit, you approve.
Be specific with instructions. Tell it “write this in a warm, professional tone for a client who’s waiting on an overdue report.” The clearer the context, the less “robotic” the output.
Double-check facts, not fluff. AI may misstate details, but tone and structure are usually on point. Your human eye catches the rest.
The goal isn’t to hand over your reputation, it’s to stop wasting hours on the blank page so you can show up sharper, faster, and more confident.”
Got an AI question on your mind? Hit reply and send it over; your question could be the one I dive into in the very next issue. The more specific, the better.
Thanks for reading,
See you next Wednesday with more ways to cut the busywork and get your time back.
Orgesa Meli
P.S. It would mean a lot if you forward this to someone who’d benefit. I’m building a community of people who want to work smarter with AI, not just a list of names. Subscribe to my community here.
