How AI can help supercharge your productivity

Let’s be honest: when you think about artificial intelligence (AI), you probably conjure up a beefy robot relentlessly chasing down John Connor. Understandably, that’s the route Hollywood went down. After all, it would be a very different movie if you watched Skynet summarise a Word document or used Arnie to plan a long weekend in Cardiff.

As fun as those blockbuster movies are, the AI we have in 2025 is altogether less scary (good news) and doesn’t have as many catchphrases (you can’t have everything, right?).

With AI such a hot topic, and with more devices, gadgets and online tools using it, it’s worth taking a step back from the headlines to look at what AI can do for you on a day-to-day basis – like Gemini*, your AI assistant from Google that can supercharge your productivity and creativity. Think: writing a thank you note for a friend, getting help explaining why rainbows appear in a kid-friendly way, and more.

While none of these cool AI functions would make for an exciting big-budget popcorn movie, the real-life benefits of AI are endlessly useful. Just long press the power button or say “Hey Google” to bring up Gemini on a compatible Android device when you need help. iPhone users can also try Gemini through the Gemini for iOS app, available on the App Store.

Let’s dive into what else you can do with AI.

Circle to Search with Google** lets you instantly search anything you see on your phone. Say you’re scrolling on your device, and you want to know what kind of dog you’re seeing, where your friend bought their cool new jacket or what a phrase you’ve never heard before means. But you don’t want to switch apps and risk losing where you’re at. With Circle to Search on your Android phone, you don’t have to.

With intuitive gestures like circling, scribbling, highlighting, and tapping to search, you can learn about what’s on your screen without having to switch apps. You can get the info you need, fast, then get right back to what you’re doing. Circle to Search is available on the latest Android devices.

Either you love poring through guidebooks, bookmarking travel blogs, saving TikToks and having around 100 flight alerts buzzing in the background… or you don’t. We’re talking to the second group here. AI can act as your travel planning assistant to take some of the hard work out of your next holiday.

Whether you want destination guides, a point of view on the best time to travel or even what your budget could get you, exploring the world has never been easier than it is with Gemini.

You can also get specific. Maybe you want to take a family-friendly break to Brussels and you don’t have any ideas on what to do on the Sunday, or you’re planning a European road trip and you want food suggestions along your route – whatever it is, AI can help you out.

Don’t forget, if you are using AI to plan a trip in our Europe Zone, unlike the other major networks we don’t charge anyone extra for EU roaming up to 25GB.

In 2025 with AI, you can work smarter, not harder. There are so many AI tools that can turbocharge your work life. Whether you want to design pitch-perfect presentations, condense a massive document into a summary, brainstorm ideas or even help in a future job hunt by letting it write your CV or cover letter, AI can aid your productivity.

Stuck trying to understand something before a big meeting? AI can help break down complex ideas or problems into simple, understandable explanations. Gemini can also help you draft emails, rewrite ones you’ve already started or even change the tone, especially useful if your “just wondering” chaser message to your boss doesn’t read as “breezy” in reality as it does in your head.

Full inbox and time-poor? Gemini can even summarise your unread emails.

Gemini Live is a mobile conversational experience that lets you have free-flowing conversations with Gemini. Want to brainstorm potential jobs that are suited to your skillset or degree? Go Live with Gemini and ask about them.

You can even interrupt mid-response to dive deeper into a particular point or pause a conversation and come back to it later. It’s like having a sidekick in your pocket to chat with about new ideas or to practise an important conversation.

Gemini Live is also available hands-free. You can keep talking with the Gemini app in the background or when your phone is locked, so you can carry on your conversation on the go, just like you might on a regular phone call.

The algorithm be damned. If you’re looking for your next movie fix or TV binge, or you’re on the hunt for an artist that’s going to dominate your playlists, none of that should be dictated by a random romcom or thriller you watched one sick day while you were half asleep or the songs you play to keep your kids quiet in the car.

AI can help you by learning what you really like, themes that interest you or what you’ve watched or listened to in the past and make suggestions based on that information. For example, if you want to impress someone special then AI can give you swoon-worthy date recommendations, no matter how specific the prompt.

From editing photos to learning a language, numerous AI tools can truly enhance your life. All these great features such as Circle to Search, Gemini and Gemini Live are available on our top Android smartphones. Check out the latest Android phones on O2 here. AI is constantly getting better at what it does, and that’s without getting into all the smart devices that AI powers, like smart speakers, robot vacuums and more. We’ve only scratched the surface of what it might be able to do in the future. Maybe a catchphrase or two would be a good start…

Want a chance to use Google Gemini AI yourself? Head over to My O2 to be in with a chance to win exclusive prizes, from Google gadgets to Women's England Football merch. Competition ends 3 April 2025.

^{*Results for illustrative purposes only. Check responses for accuracy. Available in select countries and languages.}

^{**Available on select devices and internet connection required. Works on compatible apps and surfaces. Results may vary depending on visual matches.}