Put your AI agents to work with these 5 killer tasks

Since its launch last month, Meta's Muse AI assistant has become the most downloaded phone app. OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, retaliated with its own competitor called dots, a paid service at $100 a month. These agents are digital assistants that operate our devices for us, unlike chatbots which primarily provide answers to questions.

Although agents share similarities with chatbots, they possess their own computer and web browser, enabling them to perform more complex tasks such as job applications, restaurant reservations, and sending emails. This concept may seem familiar, as tech giants like Amazon, Apple, and Google previously attempted to offer virtual assistants capable of performing tasks like hailing an Uber or ordering takeout.

However, due to the technology's slowness and clunkiness, consumers found it easier to handle tasks themselves. Modern AI agents, like Muse and dots, are more flexible and efficient, potentially making it a norm to outsource certain repetitive tasks in the future. To demonstrate the capabilities of these agents, I tested OpenAI's dots alongside Meta's Muse for two weeks, resulting in a list of "killer tasks" that showcase their potential. Here are five tasks that AI agents can automate to make your life easier:

1. Schedule a restaurant booking: Booking a table at popular, high-demand restaurants can be challenging, especially at prime times. With Muse and dots, you can ask the agent to book a table at a specific restaurant, such as the popular and highly coveted Sun Moon Studio in Oakland, California. Both agents attempted to book a table, but initially failed due to the restaurant's limited availability.

However, dots eventually succeeded in booking a table for late November. This method could also be applied to booking coveted items like concert tickets or sneakers that go on sale at specific times.

2. Get a workout plan upon arriving at the gym: Planning a workout routine before visiting the gym can be time-consuming, but it is essential for tracking progress and reaching fitness goals. Muse was able to send a customized workout plan based on the user's goals as soon as they entered the gym, providing a daily routine tailored to their needs. Users can customize this task to receive shopping lists from their local grocery store or a checklist of daily to-dos when arriving at the office.

3. Apply for jobs faster: Searching for a new job can be a tedious and time-consuming process. By using AI agents like Muse and dots, you can automate the application process. Simply instruct the agent to browse for new job postings daily on a website connecting parents with caregivers and automatically respond to relevant postings with a tailored recommendation for your nanny.

While dots faced some challenges with its web browser, Muse successfully applied for eight job postings in a single day, resulting in two responses from interested parents.

4. Daily meal planning: Planning meals for a family, especially when children have specific dietary needs, can be mentally taxing. AI agents can assist in generating meal plans, taking some of the burden off parents. While the article mentions that dots struggled with this task, Muse was able to create a daily meal plan for a toddler's lunch and dinner, freeing up the user's time and mental energy for other tasks.

While AI agents like Muse and dots offer numerous benefits, users should exercise caution when granting access to personal data and apps to these tech giants. Only share information that you feel comfortable sharing, as your data may be reviewed by the companies to improve their products.