My favorite AI tools are the ones I keep coming back to.Andriy Onufriyenko/Getty ImagesI tried over 15 AI tools and features this year with a range of different uses.Google's AI Overviews is my favorite feature because it helps me find quick answers.NotebookLM's Audio Overviews is entertaining and useful for learning about a new topic.As companies raced to scale AI this year, consumers were met with many AI product announcements — more than anyone could easily track.The silver lining is that many of these tools are free to try, allowing people to explore how they might be able to apply the technology.This year, I tried more than 15 AI tools and features ranging from chatbots to virtual shopping assistants and smart mirrors.