I’m an AI expert – here are my top 5 secret tools that could change your life in 2026

I've tried out an absurd number of AI tools this year both for professional purposes and to satisfy my own curiosity. And while the big-name AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude are often the default choice for many people, there are so many other choices out there that are often better for specific tasks.

They may be limited, niche, and even rely on AI models built by OpenAI or Google, but the narrower focus of the tools below often makes it easier to see exactly how they can improve your life in 2026.

You've probably haven't heard of some (or even all) of the AI tools below, but they're all on my favorites list – and they might become your new favorite assistant in 2026.