As someone with ADHD, I struggle to manage my calendar and to-do list effectively. Despite the claims of many "AI" calendar apps, their "AI" features often fall short, likely relying on traditional scheduling heuristics rather than the state-of-the-art LLM-based solutions that we associate with AI today.
I recently reviewed several calendar apps, including BeforeSunset AI, Reclaim AI, Motion, and Clockwise, to better understand the current state of the market. Among these platforms, BeforeSunset and Clockwise show the most promise. BeforeSunset AI has several AI chatbot features planned on their roadmap, though their mobile app is currently only available for iPhone. Clockwise AI already has a conversational chatbot calendar assistant, but it is not yet accessible through their mobile app, which has not been updated since September 2023. These apps still have a long way to go.
To illustrate the potential of LLM-powered calendar assistants, I have written a hypothetical conversation between a user and an AI calendar agent. In this scenario, the agent demonstrates a deep understanding of the user's needs, proactively suggesting tasks and adapting to their current state of mind. The agent flexibly alters the user's schedule when new commitments arise, automatically drafting emails to resolve conflicts and ensure a smooth transition between tasks. The agent also uses information from various sources, such as GPS data to confirm the user's location, microphone input to gather context about upcoming events, and motion data from the accelerometer and gyroscope to detect physical activity.
AGENT: Hi Benjamin! Hope you are well. I can see from your GPS data that you made it to your dental appointment. Great job! Now it's time to work on your taxes, like we discussed.
USER: I'm exhausted. I can't tackle that right now.
AGENT: Ok, no problem! Just keep in mind the deadline is in 3 weeks, so we will have to prioritize this task moving forward. Here are some other quick tasks you can work on now that are a little less demanding:
1) Research advanced RAG techniques on YouTube.
2) Organize the junk drawer in the kitchen.
3) Clean the trash out of the cars.
4) Continue searching for a special needs sitter
5) Unsubscribe from mailing lists that are clogging up you email inbox.
USER: I'll do the junk drawer.
AGENT: Great! Keep me in your pocket so that I can use the sensor data to verify that you are getting up and heading toward the kitchen.
*time passes*
AGENT: Hey Benjamin! I see that you have not gotten up and are instead watching YouTube. Do you think you'll be able to tackle the junk drawer now?
USER: Guilty as charged. Heading over now.
AGENT: Great! I'll check in with you in a few minutes to see how its going.
*time passes*
AGENT: Hey Ben! How is the junk drawer looking? Since my microphone is always listening, I heard your wife say something about needing to go to her physical therapist on Tuesday. I remember you said that you usually are the one to drive her. Shall I add it to your calendar? What time is her appointment? I'll calculate when the two of you should leave based on historical traffic data.
USER: Junk drawer is looking much better. Appointment is Tuesday at 3. Address is 123 medical plaza drive, Irvine, ca.
AGENT: I've added it to your calendar. You guys will have to leave at 1:45pm. Looks like this conflicts with the Zoom meeting you have scheduled with Norman. I've drafted an email about rescheduling it:
Hi Norman,
I have a schedule conflict for our 12:30pm meeting on Tuesday. Can we reschedule it? Please click this link to see my availability: <link>
Best,
--Ben
Shall I send it?
USER: Yes, please send.