Most people use AI to summarize PDFs or write emails. I use it to scan my fridge, calm my email guilt and even generate custom bedtime stories that appeal to my four-year-old and eight-year-old.
Over the past year, I’ve tested some seriously weird AI automations using ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and a few creative shortcuts. I didn’t expect most of them to work. But they did — and now I rely on them more than I’d like to admit. Here are 9 of the strangest ways I’m using AI in real life — and why you might want to try them too.
1. Bathroom shelf inventory
(Image credit: IKEA)
My husband uses one product for hair and body. I have about 15 bottles for any given day of the week. It drives him crazy, so I leaned on Gemini to calm his nerves and help eliminate clutter. I simply snapped a photo of my chaotic shelf and asked Gemini: “List everything you see and help me organize.”
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It gave me a categorized inventory — and even told me that both types of conditioner do almost the same thing. Weird? Yes. Useful? Also yes. From there, it added each item to my grocery list, which is managed using the built‑in list feature in Google Keep.
2. Spur of the moment meal planner
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
I have a shopping list (as mentioned above), but if I haven’t been to the store in several days, I’ll snap a photo of my fridge and ask Gemini:
“Plan 3 dinners using only what’s in here.”
It will always serve up shockingly decent ideas — including one that used the sad, half-wilted spinach I always ignore. It told me to use it in a chicken stir-fry that is now part of our meal rotation.
3. NFC-triggered bedtime story
(Image credit: Future/Amanda Caswell)
I stuck an old hotel key card onto my kid’s nightstand. Now, when they tap it, it launches ChatGPT Voice and runs:
“Tell a 3-minute bedtime story with a purple unicorn and a space pirate.”
They think I’m magic. But it keeps them entertained while I’m cleaning up the kitchen after dinner.
4. Dream journal pipeline
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Every morning, I ramble into a voice note about my dreams. Then I run it through Whisper + ChatGPT to turn it into a real journal entry. It even tags symbols and recurring themes. It’s weirdly therapeutic — and occasionally inspiring.
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5. Price checker shortcut
(Image credit: Future/Amanda Caswell)
I saved a Shortcut that asks ChatGPT to analyze Amazon prices on various products I’m watching. I simply upload the link and the graph associated with Amaon’s new Price History feature and use the prompt:
“Tell me if these products are at their lowest price in the past 60 days.”
It’s saved me from more than one impulse buy.
6. Email guilt tracker
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After sending a cringe email, I ask ChatGPT:
“Rate how awkward this was from 1–10, and tell me why I’ll survive.”
Does it help? Yes. Always. I often run my conversations by ChatGPT and ask how I could have said something differently to help me improve. I’ve always been extremely shy, so I have found this to be incredibly helpful.
7. Weekly “handle it” prompt
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Every Sunday, I ask ChatGPT;
“What’s one thing I keep avoiding — and what’s the easiest way to start it this week?”
It’s almost never wrong and it always helps me begin my week on the right foot. I’ve noticed that by using my ‘handle it’ prompt, I’m almost always more productive.
8. Playlist refresh bot
There’s nothing worse than a stale playlist. That’s why I gave Gemini access to my Apple Music and linked it with Google Home. Then I prompt:
“Recommend 5 songs I’ve never heard that match my current vibe.”
It nails it — including a lo-fi remix I now have on repeat. It’s great for having music on while I work or adding a soundtrack while I’m cleaning the house.
9. Using AI to figure out to fix things around the house
(Image credit: John Brandon)
So many times this year I’ve relied on ChatGPT Voice and Vision and Gemini Live for advice. ChatGPT Voice walked me through changing a tail light (I saved a lot of time and money doing it myself), knowing what type of lock I needed to buy for our back door and, perhaps my favorite, that the “spiders” I often find in the basement are not going to kill me.
While AI doesn’t replace an expert, it does help in a pinch.
Final thoughts
These hacks won’t show up in a product demo or productivity blog, but they’ve made my life smoother, funnier, and, dare I say, more human.
It’s been a great year for AI. There have been so many developments like Gemini 3 and Nano Banana as well as Alexa+.
Most people use AI to work faster. But the best uses I’ve found are smaller, sillier — and a lot more personal. These hacks won’t show up in a product demo or productivity blog, but they’ve made my life smoother, funnier, and, dare I say, more human.
So if you’ve only used ChatGPT to fix grammar or plan trips, try something more out-of-the-box. Start with your fridge or your kids’ bedtime routines, and you might discover a new and easier way to do something.
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