How to Use AI in Note-Taking Apps

These days, it seems like every app has AI built in. But in some cases, it can actually be useful, especially when it comes to note-taking.

1. Summary of notes and documents

Document summarization and note-taking are the best uses of AI in note-taking apps. Most of the time, you can give the app a note you’ve taken outside and ask it to extract the information. The app can show you the most important notes to review and can also ask for key points.

Some apps, like Notion AI, can also summarize what’s stored in your workspace. Accuracy can vary depending on your choice, so it’s worth trying out multiple options to see what works best for you. You can even use ChatGPT to take notes like a pro if none of the other apps fit your needs.

2. Brainstorming ideas

One of the best things about AI is its ability to generate new ideas when you feel stuck. In most cases, coming up with new ideas is significantly easier after you have a few initial ideas. People often use ChatGPT and Claude to generate ideas, but sometimes a note-taking app can help too.

Honestly, the difference between a note-taking app and ChatGPT is usually not that big, especially if your note-taking app is powered by OpenAI. This is the case with the Notion AI used for the example above. However, one major difference is that the AI ​​can brainstorm ideas based on the context of existing notes, which ChatGPT cannot do. Still, it is worth using ChatGPT to get some extra ideas.

You can also use AI in your note-taking app to come up with thesis ideas or get ideas on where to direct your research next.

3. Create a study guide

When creating study guides in note-taking apps, you have to be very specific with your information. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a generic answer that doesn’t mean much in the end. Provide as much context as possible, such as how long you’ve been studying, whether you have formal education, and what your weaknesses are.

If you already have notes related to the content you're learning, these will hopefully help the AI ​​gather more context.

4. Draft meeting agenda

No one likes endless meetings, but when necessary, it’s good to be prepared. AI in note-taking apps helps you draft clear, concise agendas, pulling from previous meeting notes or relevant pages in your workspace. That way, you don’t have to start from scratch every time.

While you can use ChatGPT and similar tools, many people prefer using note-taking apps because you can show the app any previous meeting notes that are relevant to the upcoming meeting. Notion AI also pulls information from other pages in your workspace to help make your results more accurate.

If you’re skeptical about AI in note-taking apps, that’s understandable. It might seem like a gimmick at first. But dig deeper and explore the features, and you’ll see how it can improve your workflow.