modern AI workflow tools

Mercilessly "stolen" from a linkedin post - apologies if you were the author, I'm not taking ANY credit here, I just lost access to the original info. if you're the author, let me know and I'll credit you.

However, I thought this was a good set of points on how best to "use" AI to help in the different process steps, when and where to use the tools to help with different things.  There is no "one size fits all", but a series of different tools that are good at what they do.

anyway, less talk, more image:

*Other apps/tools are probably available, but this is a good starter list.

Almost every modern AI workflow fits into four layers.

If you understand these layers, you can build systems that run every week without starting from scratch.

1️⃣ Thinking layer
Tools that help you clarify problems and structure ideas.

→ ChatGPT
→ Claude

Use them to:
→ research unfamiliar topics
→ break down complex problems
→ outline strategies and plans
→ stress-test ideas before execution

Most people jump straight to creation.
The real value often starts one step earlier: better thinking.

2️⃣ Creation layer
Tools that turn ideas into assets.

→ writing tools (Jasper, Writesonic)
→ design tools (Canva AI, Flair)
→ image tools (Midjourney, DALL-E, Stable Diffusion)
→ video tools (Runway, HeyGen, Synthesia)

This layer turns raw ideas into:
→ presentations
→ visuals
→ videos
→ marketing assets
→ documentation

Think of it as production infrastructure for knowledge work.

3️⃣ Automation layer
Tools that connect steps together.

→ Zapier
→ Make
→ Bardeen

Instead of repeating tasks manually, these tools:

→ move information between systems
→ trigger actions automatically
→ remove repetitive work

Example:
Research → draft → create visuals → publish.
Automation turns that into a repeatable pipeline.

4️⃣ Deployment layer
Tools that deliver work to customers and teams.

→ websites (Framer, Durable)
→ chatbots (Chatbase, SiteGPT)
→ marketing tools (AdCreative, Simplified)

This is where work becomes:

→ websites
→ marketing campaigns
→ customer experiences
→ digital products

Without deployment, great AI output never reaches the real world.
If you run a business or lead a team, here’s a simple playbook.

Step 1
Pick one tool per layer.
You don’t need ten tools doing the same job.

Step 2
Design one repeatable workflow.
Example:

→ research with ChatGPT
→ draft content
→ create visuals in Canva
→ automate publishing with Zapier

Step 3
Automate the steps that repeat every week.
Anything you do more than three times should become a system.

Step 4
Improve the workflow over time.

Small improvements compound faster than constantly switching tools.
The people getting the most value from AI right now are not the ones testing every new tool.

They are the ones building simple systems that run every day.
Tools will change.
Workflows compound.