What’s in Your AI Stack?

One of the phrases you may hear when people talk about AI is, What’s your stack? An AI stack is simply the collection of tools you use to get work done more efficiently. Just like you might use Outlook for email and Excel for spreadsheets, your AI stack is the set of AI tools that help you increase productivity.

In my own AI stack, I use ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google LM, HeyGen, and a few transcription apps. Each has its place.

• ChatGPT – If I’m brainstorming or writing an article like this one, ChatGPT is my first stop. I like the writing style, the interaction, and the way it makes the process feel more collaborative.

• Perplexity – Because no AI is perfect, I use Perplexity when I need to fact check. If something looks off or I need to be absolutely sure, Perplexity is my go-to because it provides sources.

• HeyGen – When I need a video avatar or a visual representation, I turn to HeyGen. There are many options out there, but this one fits my workflow.

• Transcription apps – For meetings, I’ll often use a transcription tool to capture notes. Later, I can drop those into ChatGPT to summarize, analyze, or create documents.

That’s my stack, but everyone’s will look a little different depending on the work they do.

Using Your Stack at FSCJ

The stack I just described is great for personal or general work, but it’s not always appropriate for college data. If you’re using anything that includes student information, numbers, or other sensitive material, the only AI tool we recommend right now is Copilot. Security always has to come first. When in doubt, err on the side of caution.

One other tip: if you’re using personal AI tools, I recommend paying for them. As I often remind people, if you’re not paying for the product, you are the product. Paid versions usually give you the option to turn off training on your data, which provides more control and security.

Why Build a Stack?

Your AI stack should save you time and energy so you can focus on what really matters—family, relationships, creative projects, and meaningful work. AI isn’t about replacing the human part of your job; it’s about cutting down the repetitive tasks so you can do more of the work only you can do.

So, what’s in your AI stack? And in what order do you use your tools? I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to write me at rusty@fscj.edu and share your stack.