Main Takeaway: AI Can Do So Much More for Small Business Email Than Just Editing
When I talk with small business owners about how they use AI, one of the most common responses I hear is that they use it to help edit emails. That’s a great start, but it barely scratches the surface of what AI can do for your inbox. The next step in AI-powered email isn’t just about writing better messages; it’s about making your entire email workflow smarter and more efficient.
1. Integrate AI Directly Into Your Email Provider
Most modern email tools now include built-in AI assistance. For example, Gmail has Gemini integrated natively, allowing you to edit, summarize, or generate replies directly within the compose window. Other providers like Superhuman and Fixer.ai also include smart editing, autocomplete, and prioritization features. If you haven’t explored these integrations yet, start there—it’s the easiest way to improve your daily email routine without changing platforms.
2. Use AI to Tag and Prioritize Your Inbox
One of the most exciting ways AI is evolving in email is through intelligent tagging and categorization. AI can automatically sort your inbox into useful groups, such as:
Marketing emails → Move to a “Later” or “Promotions” folder
Action required → Flag emails that need a reply or your direct input
FYI only → Deprioritize updates or newsletters that don’t need attention
This kind of inbox triage helps you focus on what actually matters each day, and can also remind you when to follow up.
3. Let AI Take Action on Your Behalf
This is where things get really interesting. A new wave of agentic AI tools can act on your behalf, not just suggest actions. For example, Serif allows you to delegate tasks by email. If you email your AI assistant to schedule a call next week, it can handle the back-and-forth and confirm the appointment for you. That’s a big step forward from the simple suggested replies we’ve been used to.
4. Explore Tools Worth Trying
Here are a few tools that stand out:
Superhuman – My current favorite. Sleek, fast, and productivity-focused. AI is just one part of its overall smart design.
Fixer.ai – A solid set of automation and organization features, though it’s on the pricier side.
Serif – The most promising agentic email AI I’ve seen so far. Still early, but exciting.
Each of these tools takes a slightly different approach. Some focus on writing assistance, others on intelligent automation, but all can help you save time and stay organized.
I haven’t yet explored tools that apply AI to shared inboxes like Intercom or customer support systems, but that’s an area with huge potential. AI works especially well for repetitive, straightforward tasks such as replying to common customer questions or summarizing past interactions. I’ll cover those applications in a future post.
Final Thought
If you’re not already using AI within your email workflow, now’s the time to start. Whether you begin with Gmail’s Gemini or a full-featured AI platform like Superhuman, the benefits add up quickly. AI can save you time, reduce clutter, and help you focus on the conversations that really matter for your business.
I also created a quick video overview here:
AI News for Small Businesses
OpenAI released their new browser, ChatGPT Atlas. However, it’s only currently available for Mac users, and most small business owners I know don’t have a Mac. We’ll see though!
How are you using AI in your small business?
Let us know in our survey here.
Till next time,
Local Maxima