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10 Generative AI Tools That Are Powering the Best Professionals
We’re well past the “ChatGPT is changing everything” phase.
Everyone — from interns to executives — is using it to draft emails, brainstorm content or automate daily tasks. But here’s the truth top professionals won’t say out loud:
ChatGPT is just the gateway. The real magic lies in stacking AI tools.
The smartest operators – CEOs, consultants, designers and marketers – are quietly building their own AI workflows using lesser-known but incredibly powerful tools. They’re not trending on TikTok. They’re not hyped on LinkedIn. But they’re reshaping how high performers think, create and execute – often in ways you’d never guess.
Let’s peel back the curtain.
🧠 Generative AI That Thinks With You, Not Just For You
1. Manus AI – Your AI Co-Strategist
It’s 10 PM, your brain is fried, and you still need to structure that strategy memo. Manus is your secret weapon at that moment.
What it does:
Manus helps you write and structure long-form strategic thinking — from product plans to board memos — in your own voice. It’s like brainstorming with a super-sharp thought partner.
Why it matters:
Where ChatGPT often sounds like ChatGPT, Manus helps you sound like your best self. It doesn’t just generate — it helps you think.
Pro tip: Use Manus to draft strategy docs, campaign briefs or investor updates. Many executives even use it for reflective journalling or unpacking complex ideas before team discussions.
🎨 Generative AI Tools That Replace Stock Assets and Speed Up Creativity
2. DALL·E 2 – Precision Image Creation From Text
Forget generic stock photos. With DALL·E, you can visualise any concept — from surreal campaign visuals to hyper-specific pitch deck assets — all with a prompt.
What it does:
DALL·E 2 transforms text into high-quality images. It supports editing (inpainting) and can create visuals tailored to your brand.
Why it matters:
Design bottlenecks kill momentum. DALL·E lets you test, explore and generate visuals instantly without waiting on designers.
Pro tip: Use it to generate multiple creative variations for A/B testing. Combine with ChatGPT to refine your prompts for even sharper output.
3. MidJourney – The Designer’s AI Muse
If DALL·E is your idea sketcher, MidJourney is your art director.
What it does:
MidJourney generates visually stunning, stylised art from text prompts — perfect for moodboards, concept art or product branding.
Why it matters:
It’s hard to explain a visual idea. MidJourney helps you show it instead. Especially helpful for brand identity, creative direction or product concepting.
Pro tip: Use it early in brand strategy to explore different aesthetics before hiring a designer. Many consultants even use it live in workshops.
4. Runway – Studio-Quality Video Editing in Your Browser
Runway is Final Cut Pro with an AI brain — no steep learning curve required.
What it does:
An all-in-one creative suite that lets you remove backgrounds, animate stills and apply high-end effects — no editing experience necessary.
Why it matters:
Social and video content moves fast. Runway lets you produce polished, on-brand video assets in minutes.
Pro tip: Creators use it to animate thumbnails, remove backgrounds or turn static images into motion graphics — all from the browser.
5. Veo 3 (Google) – Cinematic Video, No Camera Required
Why rent a studio when you can create trailers, ads or cinematic explainers in seconds?
What it does:
Veo 3 turns simple text prompts into cinematic-quality video — with lighting, motion and depth.
Why it matters:
Video converts, but production is expensive. Veo lets you test ideas, create brand stories or even generate mood reels without needing a camera.
Pro tip: Marketers use it to prototype campaigns or create studio-looking brand content on a solo budget.
6. HeyGen – AI-Powered Avatars That Present For You
Need to create onboarding, explainer or multi-language videos but don’t want to appear on camera?
What it does:
HeyGen converts written scripts into avatar-led videos, complete with lip-sync, multilingual voiceovers and humanlike presenters.
Why it matters:
You can now scale professional-grade video communication without actors, gear or editing.
Pro tip: Use HeyGen for training modules, client walkthroughs or localised marketing — all from one master script.
⚡Generative AI That Powers Your Daily Workflow (Without New Apps)
7. Microsoft Copilot – AI Embedded in Excel, Word, Outlook and More
You don’t need another app. You need smarter versions of the ones you already use.
What it does:
Copilot integrates directly with Microsoft 365 tools, helping you summarise documents, analyse data, create slides and generate emails — all natively.
Why it matters:
Frictionless AI. No new logins. No new interface. Just powerful capabilities in the apps you’re already fluent in.
Pro tip: Use Copilot to clean up Excel data, prep reports in PowerPoint or summarise long Teams meetings into action-ready follow-ups.
8. Notion AI – The Brain That Lives in Your Docs
Already using Notion? Now it’s even smarter.
What it does:
Notion AI boosts your docs with auto-summarisation, rewriting, drafting, translation and smart suggestions — all in context.
Why it matters:
Docs are where your knowledge lives. Notion AI makes that knowledge accessible, organised and instantly actionable.
Pro tip: Use it to extract next steps from meeting notes, rewrite clunky internal docs or maintain real-time decision logs across projects.
🔍 Generative AI That Replaces Googling (And Actually Gives Answers)
9. Perplexity AI – Verified Answers, Not Clickbait
Google gives you 15 tabs. Perplexity gives you the answer — with sources.
What it does:
Perplexity is a source-aware AI search engine. Ask a question, get a concise, well-cited response. No fluff. No SEO junk.
Why it matters:
Research shouldn’t feel like drowning in ads. Perplexity helps you surface credible, timely insights for work, not just trivia.
Pro tip: Use it for competitor research, briefing decks or market landscape summaries — fast.
📊 Generative AI That Turns Ideas Into Impactful Presentations
10. Gamma – From Raw Ideas to Polished Decks
Gamma isn’t another PowerPoint clone. It’s your idea-to-deck converter.
What it does:
Gamma turns your notes into beautiful presentations, memos and documents — instantly. It’s like Canva plus Notion plus GPT, built for strategists.
Why it matters:
If you’re regularly aligning teams, pitching clients or presenting updates, Gamma gives you a finished starting point in minutes.
Pro tip: Use it for first-draft investor decks, client reports or product update memos. Edit the story, not the slides.
Final Thoughts: You’re Not Behind, But You Can’t Wait
If ChatGPT was your first step into AI, this is your upgrade path.
The best professionals aren’t using one tool. They’re building smart stacks that:
✅ Think with them (Manus, Copilot)
✅ Create beautiful content fast (DALL·E, Veo, MidJourney, HeyGen, Runway)
✅ Replace Googling with facts (Perplexity)
✅ Make documents and decks work harder (Notion AI, Gamma)
But here’s the secret sauce: none of these tools work well without the right prompts.
🎯 Learn Prompt Engineering and Build Your AI Superpower
To really harness these tools, you need to learn how to speak their language. That’s where prompt engineering comes in, and it’s not just for developers.
Heicoders Academy’s Generative AI Course (GA100) teaches professionals in Singapore how to build real-world AI workflows using tools like ChatGPT, MidJourney, Microsoft Copilot and more. You’ll learn how to craft effective prompts, automate tasks, and combine tools into powerful systems — all tailored for your role and industry.
Whether you’re a marketer, entrepreneur or executive, learning how to work with AI, not just use it, is what separates dabblers from leaders.
Your move: Pick 2 or 3 tools that fit your workflow. Try them this week. Then take it further — build the prompt engineering skills to fully unlock their potential. Your future self will thank you.
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