Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds7q3vGfyTg

Summary:

  • Google AI Studio: Quickly build working prototypes (UI + logic) to validate ideas and discuss them directly with engineers

  • Opal: Create simple mini-apps or workflows from prompts

  • NotebookLM: Upload documents, reports, and long videos to learn and understand broader logic

  • Perplexity (Reddit / Discussion mode): Research real users' views - pain points, objections, and motivations

  • ChatGPT (Custom GPT): Write PRDs in your own voice, with AI asking questions to clarify your thinking

Details:

1. Google AI Studio - Prototype to think and debate, not just demo

Google AI Studio is used to build working prototypes (UI + logic + mock data) in just a few hours.

Applications

  • Quickly test AI-enabled UX flows (input → processing → output)

  • Simulate loading, error, empty, and edge-case states

  • Discuss actual behavior

  • Reduce vague debates around static wireframes

2. Opal - Test small ideas before committing to a larger design

Opal allows simple mini-apps or workflows to be created from prompts.

Applications

  • Quickly test a small UX concept (such as AI-assisted writing, suggestions, or filtering)

  • Create an “experience sketch” instead of a mockup

3. NotebookLM - Understand a domain quickly to design appropriately

NotebookLM can ingest documents, reports, and long videos, then summarize them, answer questions, and extract insights.

Applications

  • Understand, synthesize, and explain new knowledge.

  • Understand complex logic across multiple files

4. Perplexity (Reddit / Discussion mode) - Find unfiltered insights from real users

Perplexity can help find discussions such as Reddit threads; open the sources and check their context. Source controls vary by version and plan; disabling Web in current documentation means not using external web sources. Discussion opinions require validation and are not automatically representative of all users.

Applications

  • Find pain points missing from the brief

  • Understand users' objections, doubts, and real motivations

5. ChatGPT (Custom GPT) - Support product thinking, not just PRD writing

A Custom GPT can be configured with instructions about tone and workflow, with previous PRDs as reference knowledge. If it should ask clarifying questions before writing, specify that behavior in its instructions and test it with examples.

Applications

  • Clarify UX hypotheses

  • Check logic flow

  • Explore new ideas

  • AI acts as a reviewer while the PM challenges its suggestions

The best AI pushes designers to think more clearly rather than doing the thinking for them.