AI tools overview
Finding your way through AI tools
The ecosystem changes quickly. This overview helps you understand tool categories and the kinds of work they can support.
It is a category framework, not an exhaustive product catalogue. A specific recommendation depends on the organisation’s context.
Categories
Conversational AI
What it is: General-purpose assistants that work through natural language.
Typical uses: Analysis, writing, brainstorming, research, summarisation and translation.
Who it is for: People across professional roles.
Data considerations: Be careful when entering sensitive work data into public services. Check the exact plan and configuration, use of data for training, retention, access controls, contract terms and any data transfers. An “enterprise” label alone does not guarantee data protection or compliance.
AI for software development
What it is: Tools integrated into development workflows for completion, review, testing and debugging.
Typical uses: Code generation and review, writing tests, documentation and refactoring.
Who it is for: Developers, DevOps engineers and technical leads.
AI for data analysis
What it is: Tools for processing, visualising and interpreting data through natural language.
Typical uses: Trend analysis, dashboards, predictive models and reporting.
Who it is for: Business and data analysts, and management.
AI for content and marketing
What it is: Tools for generating, editing and improving text, images and video.
Typical uses: Copywriting, social media, visual materials and campaign personalisation.
Who it is for: Marketing, communications and content teams.
AI for productivity and workflows
What it is: Assistants integrated into office tools and organisational systems.
Typical uses: Meeting summaries, email assistance, process automation and document management.
Who it is for: Many roles, particularly management, administration and project management.
How to evaluate a tool
| Criterion | Questions to ask |
|---|---|
| Data security | Where is data processed? Which plan is available? What contractual protections apply? |
| Integration | Does it work with the systems we already use? |
| Legal and internal requirements | Is this particular use allowed? Which data is processed, by whom, and under what contractual and security arrangements? |
| Value and costs | How do time to a usable result, quality, review effort, licences and operating costs change? |
| Adoption | How easy is it for the team to learn and use? |
A practical approach
- Start with one tool: avoid overloading the team; choose one category and work need.
- Run a small pilot: evaluate with a small group before expanding.
- Measure the effect: track time, quality and satisfaction.
- Follow the AI policy: apply the organisation’s approval process, supported by L1 — Align.
- Review regularly: set the interval according to risk and the pace of change. Repeat the assessment after a change in model, plan or terms.
This overview does not establish the current price, context window or availability of a particular model. Check the official documentation and price list for the exact variant at the time of purchase. Include limits, region, currency, taxes and operating costs in comparisons.
Further reading
- Prompt engineering — working effectively with tools.
- Implementation guides — practical guides for L5 — Execute.