AI for Business & Productivity · Intermediate level

Intermediate level · Module 4 of 6 · 13 guided hours

Choosing and Evaluating AI Tools

Compare AI tools fairly, test them on real tasks and calculate whether they are worth their cost.

Learning objectives

  • Compare AI tools against business requirements
  • Test tools on real tasks before buying
  • Calculate costs and value, including checking time

Topics

  • requirements
  • tool comparison criteria
  • trial testing
  • subscription costs in USD and SSP
  • value and time savings
  • vendor and data risks

Lessons

  1. Lesson 1 Comparing AI Tools

    Compare AI tools against what the business actually needs.

    requirementsscoring tablefeatures vs needsdata handling

  2. Lesson 2 Running a Tool Trial

    Test tools on real tasks with real users before committing.

    trial designsame tasks for each tooluser feedbackquality ratings

  3. Lesson 3 Costs and Value

    Calculate whether an AI tool saves more than it costs, including subscriptions and checking time.

    subscription costhours savedchecking timenet value

Practical activity

Evaluate two AI tools for the chosen organisation's main use case through a structured trial and calculate the monthly value of the better one.

Expected outcomes

  • Evidence-based tool choices
  • Realistic value calculations

Assessment

Tool evaluation and value calculation reviewed for method, realism and clarity.

Taught live by an instructor — online or in person. Free course lessons are for self-study and do not lead to a certificate — see registration options.