AI Masterclass 1.3

The Best Free AI Tools For Business Owners 

• Many businesses have access to the best free AI tools within platforms they’re already paying for, such as Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace.
• The best free AI tools span generative AI, workflow automation, design, marketing and accounting – helping owners save time and money.
• Before diving in, businesses should watch out for scams, misleading AI education offers and data privacy risks to ensure they’re using AI for business safely.

Imagine a magic toolkit that buys you valuable time (and improves productivity) without damaging your bottom line. It sounds like the stuff of unicorns and fairy dust but Michael Verghios, Digital Director at Nimbull, says there’s a high chance you probably already have such a kit. 

A business owner's guide to free AI tools

Ahead, Verghios explains the best free AI tools to start your journey with.

Q: What are the best free AI tools that businesses should start with?

A: Always check the software platform your business already pays for. If you’re in Microsoft’s ecosystem, you’ve probably got Copilot sitting there waiting to draft emails, polish presentations or crunch spreadsheets. On Google Workspace? Gemini – which has a huge suite underneath it – has the ability to whip up articles, images and research in minutes. Of course, there’s also ChatGPT, which is widely used for brainstorming and problem-solving but its new Agent Mode feature can do some pretty incredible things. 

Q: Let’s go beyond writing and brainstorming. What other tools are worth testing?

A: Every business needs to work on their assets, their marketing and their look and feel so one great option is Canva Magic Studio, which gives people the opportunity to rapidly produce great-looking videos and images without advanced design skills. Zapier is the go-to for workflow automation, connecting apps like Xero, Slack and HubSpot, and marketing AI tool Perplexity Pages can build landing pages in minutes. No matter your business, proofreading is important and Grammarly is a great tool to assist you there. 

Q: How can businesses ensure they’re choosing the right free AI tools?

A: There are two main factors that you should consider. One is ease of implementation and the other is impact. Some things are going to be very quick and won’t require a lot of setup work and others will be a more complicated tech stack. A sole trader without IT support might want to stick to simple tools like Gemini, ChatGPT or Copilot, while bigger teams could experiment with more advanced setups. 

The ethical red flag checklist for free AI tools 

The world of AI is exciting but it comes with fine print to consider. Verghios says businesses should:

• Check data-usage policies carefully. Free tools may train on your uploads unless you’re on enterprise plans.
• Be upfront about when you’ve used AI. Despite AI’s popularity, customers still want authentic voices rather than cookie-cutter text and images.
• Beware of scams. Fraudsters are already using AI to impersonate people and create fake websites.
• Watch out for sketchy “AI education” providers offering miracle “results in 28 days” type deals in exchange for recurring fees. AI is a process that takes time. 

Disclaimer: The information on this page is solely for educational purposes. It has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs, you should, before acting on the information, consider its appropriateness to your circumstances and if necessary seek the appropriate professional advice. Any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made, based on the information available at the time of publication, but no representation or warranty, either expressed or implied, is made or provided as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of any statement made.