Eight Innovative AI Tools Worth Trying

A recent roundup highlights eight lesser‑known AI applications that go beyond chatbots. From Merlin, which identifies birds from photos or calls, to Goblin.Tools, a suite designed for neurodivergent users, each tool addresses a specific need. OpusClip automates video clipping for social media, while Rewind.ai records and indexes everything on a Mac for easy retrieval. Be My AI assists blind or low‑vision users by describing surroundings in real time. Character.AI lets users converse with fictional or historical personalities, Gamma generates polished presentation slides, and SciSpace Agent serves as a research assistant for scholars. Together, they illustrate how AI is expanding into practical, niche domains.

Merlin: Bird Identification Made Simple

Developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Merlin lets users point a phone at a bird or record its call and instantly receive an identification. The tool draws on an extensive library of photos and sounds, delivering accurate results that encourage users to notice wildlife during walks.

Goblin.Tools: AI Helpers Tailored for Neurodivergence

Goblin.Tools offers a free collection of mini‑AI utilities aimed at neurodivergent individuals, though anyone can benefit. Features include Magic ToDo, which breaks large tasks into manageable steps; Judge, which assesses the tone of emails; and Chef, which suggests meals based on pantry contents. The suite emphasizes clarity and usability.

OpusClip: Automated Social‑Media Video Editing

OpusClip streamlines the creation of short video clips for platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Using built‑in AI, it scans longer footage to locate the most engaging sections, resizes them for various formats, and adds captions and emojis. Users may need to review the output, but the tool saves considerable editing time.

Rewind.ai: A Searchable Memory for Your Mac

Running in the background, Rewind.ai records screen activity and audio, allowing users to "rewind" to any previously seen or heard moment. This makes a computer’s entire digital history searchable, offering a powerful (if slightly unsettling) productivity boost for researchers and power users.

Be My AI: Real‑Time Visual Descriptions for the Visually Impaired

Integrated with the Be My Eyes platform, Be My AI provides live descriptions of surroundings for blind or low‑vision users. It can read street signs, identify objects, and explain photo content, delivering practical, empowering assistance that showcases AI’s potential for accessibility.

Character.AI: Conversing with Real or Imagined Personas

Character.AI lets users chat with a range of personalities, from historical figures like Shakespeare to fictional creatures such as dragons. The platform supports both entertainment and educational use, though interactions can be unpredictable.

Gamma: AI‑Generated Presentation Slides

Gamma simplifies slide creation by generating polished decks from a simple topic prompt. It produces both text and AI‑crafted visuals, offering designs that often surpass typical PowerPoint templates. Users can export to PowerPoint if needed, but the in‑app designs are usually sufficient for quick, professional presentations.

SciSpace Agent: An AI Research Assistant

SciSpace Agent acts as a scholarly aide, summarizing papers, explaining concepts, and suggesting relevant references. Tailored for students and academics, it delivers more depth than generic chatbots, though users are advised to verify its outputs before citing them.

Collectively, these eight tools demonstrate that AI is moving beyond headline‑grabbing chatbots into specialized, practical applications that enhance everyday tasks, creative work, and accessibility.