The man who tried 200 to-do apps has some advice about AI

2026-07-14 · Source: Platformer · Field: Technology & Digital — Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Software Development & Engineering, Emerging Technologies & Innovation · Depth: Intermediate, extended

Summary

David Pierce, editor-at-large at The Verge and author of the Installer newsletter, offers a grounded perspective on AI's current impact on workplace productivity, drawing from his experience testing over 200 productivity applications. He contends that AI's practical returns are modest, excelling at "busywork" like file conversions or email filtering, but failing at tasks requiring judgment, as evidenced by AI mismanaging his primary inbox. Pierce dismisses the notion that professionals must "get on the AI train or get left behind" as "pernicious and frankly wrong." Instead, he advocates for offloading simple, administrative tasks to AI while preserving work that builds understanding. He suggests replacing "AI" with "software" to demystify the technology and emphasizes simplicity and a single source of truth in personal productivity systems.

Key takeaway

For AI Product Managers evaluating new tools, recognize that AI's current value lies in automating low-stakes, administrative busywork, not complex judgment tasks. Prioritize solutions that simplify workflows and consolidate information into a single source of truth, rather than those promising full agentic autonomy. Focus your development on tools that augment human understanding by offloading repetitive tasks, allowing users to concentrate on creative and critical thinking.

Key insights

AI excels at low-stakes, administrative tasks but struggles with judgment and deep understanding.

Principles

• Offload "dumb tasks" to AI.
• You cannot outsource your understanding.
• Simplicity beats perfect systems.

In practice

• Use AI for file format conversions.
• Automate marketing email cleanup.
• Employ AI for basic local searches.

Topics

• AI Productivity
• Personal Productivity
• Task Management
• AI Adoption
• Productivity Software
• LLM Applications

Best for: Tech Journalist, Director of AI/ML, AI Product Manager

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Platformer.