5 AI Tools I Actually Use As a Neurodivergent CEO and Content Creator

AI is transforming the way we work, helping us save time, increase efficiency, and achieve more with less effort. For my neurodivergent brain, which is often brimming with a million ideas at once, these tools are a literal game-changer. They help me align my creative efforts, encourage productivity, and streamline my workflow.

From automating routine tasks to creating content and improving the way I plan my work, the right tools make day-to-day tasks easier. So, here are 5 AI tools I use daily. None of these are collabs or affiliates, though they should be (Dear brands, please DM me because I use you!).

5 AI Tools I Actually Use As a Neurodivergent CEO and Content Creator

Sonya Barlow x The National AI Awards 2024

1. ChatGPT: Aids my ADHD brain

ChatGPT acts as a great writing assistant. I use it for research, brain-dumping, and quick note-taking, it’s basically my real-time productivity partner. For example, when I’m mapping out keynote speeches or brainstorming newsletter titles, asking it to generate 20 options can save me hours of staring at a blank page. It’s perfect for getting all my ADHD brain dumps out in one go, but I don’t encourage cheating so you don’t see my ai’ing in my captions or content thanks!

Tip: Be specific with your prompts. The clearer your instructions, the stronger the output you’ll get.

2. Grammarly: Boosts confidence when blogging

Grammarly uses AI to check grammar, tone, and clarity, ensuring your emails, reports, and proposals look polished and professional.

At LMF NETWORK (Like Minded Females), we had an intern who was dyslexic and tools like Grammarly helped her to improve her communication skills and content, which boosted her confidence. It’s a shame that Grammarly changes pricing plans for not for profits and educational companies. She eventually moved from being an intern and blog writing to applying for a data scientist position through the LMF career programme and work experience.

3. Google Docs AI: Need to contact me for a real collaboration

Google Docs now integrates AI features that help professionals draft documents, suggest edits, and even create automatic summaries.

As a massive Google fan, I’m waiting for a real collaboration because the integration is seamless in my opinion. I can work across time zones with multiple clients and colleagues while updating and automatically saving concepts. Even these newsletters are first written on a google document before being uploaded on the social platforms. Google, I am a fan, and I'm ready for that brand collaboration!

4. CapCut AI: The reason I can upload content so quickly

Short-form video content is dominating digital platforms, and CapCut AI makes editing fast and simple. As a content creator and business leader, this tool helps me stay visible without spending hours on editing.

When I gather behind-the-scenes clips from networking events, I often create a voiceover-style video. CapCut AI auto-generates captions in seconds and what used to take me half a day now takes 10 minutes. I just do a quick preview to check accuracy, and the video is ready to post.

Tip: Always double-check captions for names, jargon, or brand terms, because AI doesn’t always get those perfect.

5. Canva AI: Always supporting Melanie Perkins

Visual storytelling matters for personal branding and networking. You may have noticed that I recently changed my carousel visuals to make it more impactful on the eye.

Canva AI uses smart design suggestions, AI-generated templates, and brand kits to create professional graphics in seconds. Also, who doesn’t want to support the powerhouse that is Melanie Perkins? Pure business inspiration!

Whether it’s for LMF NETWORK (Like Minded Females) or my keynote presentation, I can take the creative font and colour worry out of my brain to focus on the content. If I compare it to back when I was in university, where a presentation on PowerPoint might take a day, on Canva it only takes a few hours, so there’s a massive time-saving reason right there!

For more information about AI, you can also check out my post about how AI is transforming the future of work.

How AI Tools Support the Neurodivergent Brain

In my opinion, AI tools are there to create efficiencies and help with productivity - not to take the human touch out of work. By using these tools as a professional, I can save on time and brainpower but focus on the quality of the content, which is how success is now measured in a client meeting or a keynote.

There’s no doubt that digital transformation is happening across every sector, and individuals who adapt will position themselves for long-term career success. This is particularly true for neurodivergent professionals, as these tools can help manage cognitive load and streamline complex tasks.

💬 My question for this week is: Which AI tool has made the biggest difference in your productivity?

📩 This newsletter was written by Sonya Barlow, entrepreneur, author and presenter. Work with Sonya Barlow on business strategy, keynotes and campaigns. Email: hello@sonyabarlow.co.uk

Sonya Barlow is an award-winning entrepreneur, presenter and author with over 100K followers. She hosts her self-titled YouTube show "The Sonya Barlow Show", authored the business book "Unprepared to Entrepreneur" and runs a business inclusion consultancy and networking app the "LMF Network". You can work with Sonya for campaigns, content and conversation. Connect via email 📩 - Hello@SonyaBarlow.Co.Uk.