Drafting, research and comparing ideas
An option to explore
What to check first
Account terms, permitted information and how someone will check the result.
AI tools and resources for Irish businesses
Choose AI around the work you need to do. Online assistants can help with drafting and research, office tools can work with existing documents, and automation can connect repeated tasks. Local AI offers another way to control where information is processed.
This guide introduces eight examples and the questions to ask before choosing. Gen AI Solutions helps businesses in Tralee, Co. Kerry and across Ireland select and support practical IT and AI systems.
Start with the task
Start with a clear result and a small scope, such as preparing a draft for approval or answering questions from a limited set of approved documents.
Online assistants for drafting and research
ChatGPT
Explore ChatGPT for developing ideas, researching a topic or turning notes and files into a first draft. Check sources, figures and the finished work before using it.
Personal and business workspaces have different controls. Review your account's data terms and any connected apps before adding business information.
Read the official ChatGPT guide and ChatGPT workspace and cloud security guidance.
Claude
Claude supports conversational drafting, research and analysis. Consider a specific task such as comparing documents or preparing a report outline, then check the result against the original material.
Anthropic distinguishes consumer services from commercial Team and Enterprise services. Review the relevant agreement and connected tools before sharing confidential documents.
Explore the official Claude product guide and Anthropic's commercial data responsibilities.
AI in the office tools you already use
Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365
Consider Copilot if your team uses Microsoft 365 and wants help with documents, email and chats. Work-connected access depends on the product and licence.
Microsoft explains that access follows existing user permissions. Review shared folders, SharePoint access and guest permissions before introducing another way to find that information.
Read Microsoft's Copilot overview and Copilot data and privacy guidance.
Google Workspace with Gemini
Gemini features support work in tools such as Gmail, Docs, Drive and Meet, depending on the edition and feature. Assess it alongside the Workspace tools your team already uses.
Check administrator settings and the account involved. Workspace privacy commitments apply to qualifying Workspace use. Agree how meeting notes will be checked, shared and retained.
Explore Google Workspace with Gemini and the Workspace AI privacy hub.
Automation and integrations
An automation connects a trigger to an action, such as creating a task after a form submission. Straightforward rules handle many useful workflows. Add AI where interpreting or drafting information helps, with approval before consequential actions.
Microsoft Power Automate
Power Automate cloud flows connect applications and services through events, buttons or schedules. Explore it for repeatable administration, particularly within a Microsoft environment.
Confirm suitable connectors, licences and running costs. Agree who owns each connection and receives failure alerts, then test with sample information before connecting live records.
n8n
n8n connects applications and organises workflows with or without AI. Consider it for moving information between forms, spreadsheets and business systems.
Managed cloud and self-hosted options are available. Self-hosting needs security maintenance, updates, backups and recovery. Connected services determine where data travels. Check the edition and licence for your use.
Explore n8n integrations and compare n8n cloud and self-hosting.
Local and private AI options
A local model runs on your computer or server. A self-hosted service runs on infrastructure you manage or control. Review the full setup, because local apps can also use cloud models, web search and external connections.
Ollama
Ollama runs supported models on your computer or server and can form part of a local assistant or internal workflow.
It also offers cloud models. Its FAQ explains how to disable cloud features for local-only use. Assess the selected model, hardware and connected applications against your task.
LM Studio
LM Studio provides a desktop interface for supported local models. Its documentation covers offline chat and document work once the necessary files are downloaded.
Optional cloud features have different data paths. Check enabled features, connected tools, model licences and hardware before choosing a business setup.
Read about LM Studio offline operation and review its app privacy policy.
Five checks before choosing
Information
Identify the documents, recordings and records involved. Agree what staff may share and what must stay within a controlled environment.
Access
Confirm who administers the service and what each person or connection can reach. Include shared links and guest access.
Human review
Name the person checking answers, sources and calculations. Test missing information and connection failures. Keep approval steps for messages and record changes.
Running cost
Include subscriptions, usage charges, connectors, setup, training and support. Local systems also need hardware, maintenance and backups.
Ownership
Assign access, updates and recovery to someone. Keep instructions for failures and a way to export useful information or change tools.
Try one small task first
Use fictional or approved sample information for a task you can check. Compare the output with your current process, including review time and running cost. Expand when it produces useful work within the agreed data boundaries.
Gen AI Solutions can help choose and configure tools, connect systems and train staff. Better file organisation, business email or server support can form part of the project. See IT and AI services.
Common questions
Does a paid AI account make every business use suitable?
A subscription can change features and data terms. Check the account, contract, settings, permissions and information involved, then agree approved uses before sharing confidential material.
Does installing an AI app mean it works offline?
Some desktop apps support local models alongside cloud processing or web search. Check and test the selected model, enabled features and connections across the complete workflow.
Can we automate a task without using AI?
Yes. Clear rules can route a form response, create a reminder or request approval. Assess whether adding AI improves the result enough to justify its cost and review requirements.
Start with one useful AI task
Tell us what your team wants to improve and which systems you use. We can help assess an online tool, connected workflow or private setup, with clear next steps and costs.
Please do not send sensitive files through this form. We can arrange a secure review process.
Resources checked on 11 November 2026. These examples are a starting point, rather than a ranking. Provider features, plans, terms and availability change. Review the official documentation and your account settings before deciding.