Everyday productivity
Judge rumours about new AI tools
You will have a four-question test for any claim about a new AI tool and a calm way to decide what to try.
Before you start
- A claim you have seen about a new AI tool or model
Why rumours spread
New tools create excitement, and excited posts travel fast. Codenames, leaks and early access claims are often wrong or out of date by the time you read them.
Four questions
- Who said it first, and are they in a position to know?
- Is it on the maker’s own site or announcement?
- Can I see it working in a way I could repeat myself?
- What does it cost, and what is the catch?
Decide what to do
- Not confirmed: wait. Nothing is lost by waiting a week.
- Confirmed but unproven: try it on a small, low-risk task.
- Confirmed and useful: add it to your tool list with a review date.
Avoid the traps
- Never pay or share an account to get early access from a stranger.
- Be wary of guides that promise secret settings or workarounds.
- Do not paste private data into an unconfirmed tool.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Believing a screenshot
- Paying for early access
- Sharing logins
- Rebuilding your whole routine around a rumour
Final checklist
- I traced the claim to its source
- I checked the maker’s own site
- I decided to wait, try or add