Executive assistants aren’t short on tools. It’s likely you’ve already trialled ChatGPT, had Otter transcribe meeting notes, and tested AI scheduling… So, what now? The next wave of AI tools isn’t just smarter. They are more integrated, more intuitive, and increasingly designed to work with you in real time. Think of it like upgrading from a helpful temp to a digital colleague, one that remembers, adapts, and anticipates your needs.
“With over 30 years in digital strategy and emerging tech, I’ve seen hundreds of tools come and go. I’ve helped teams roll out ones that matter and quietly shelve those that don’t,” says Tracy Sheen, award-winning author and AI strategist. “One thing I know to be true in the digital space is that not everything that comes across your radar is worth your time. Look for tools with strong data, real-world results, and practical use cases; they’ve earned their place as an AI trend. Vs trendy AI: clever branding, no real substance. A trend sticks; trendy makes a splash then disappears. So, where do I think you should focus your attention?” she asks.
Here are five emerging directions that aren’t just tools — they’re signals of where AI is genuinely improving the way EAs work. They cut through the hype and point to trends that will shape your day-to-day.
- AI Agents that learn you (a.k.a. “Agentic AI”)
We’re moving beyond one-off prompts. Tools like ChatGPT with memory or Claude’s “persistent memory” are part of a new class called agentic AI — systems that remember preferences, build context, and adapt over time.
Imagine an assistant who remembers your exec’s tone, your formatting quirks, or how you like agendas structured.
Tip: Start building a relationship with your AI. Use the same tool consistently and feed it your preferences.
Caution: Still in beta in many tools — test it before trusting it with critical tasks.
Trend or Trendy? Trend. This is the future of personal AI: tools that don’t just assist, they evolve with you.
- Multimodal tools (they see, hear, and read)
AI that can process images, audio, video and text together is a game-changer. Tools like Microsoft Copilot, Gemini, and ChatGPT-4o can now interpret screenshots, summarise PDFs, and pull context from presentations.
That means you can say, “Summarise this board pack and write an intro email” and it will.
Tip: Use screenshots and file uploads to streamline complex tasks.
Caution: Multimodal tools love to soak up data. Make sure you’re across your organisation’s privacy settings.
Trend or Trendy? Trend. AI with eyes and ears will soon be standard. Early adopters will gain serious speed.
- Build-Your-Own assistants
You don’t have to be a coder to create a personal AI assistant now. Tools like Custom GPTs (OpenAI), Microsoft Agents, and workspace agents are letting you build AI trained on your templates, tone, processes, and even acronyms.
Need a tool that knows how your CEO likes their travel briefings? Done. Looking for something to streamline board meeting communications? Tick
Tip: Train a custom GPT on internal docs and formats to act like a digital clone.
Caution: Some tools can retain sensitive info. Always read the T&Cs and refer to your AI policies.
Trend or Trendy? Trend. Expect more personal AI agents built by admin pros for admin pros.
- Workflow automations that think
These tools don’t just connect apps, they link actions together using AI logic. For example: “After this meeting ends, summarise the transcript, email the team, and update the project doc.” It’s automation, but with initiative.
Tip: Start small. Look for one repeatable workflow to automate, like travel planning or event follow-up.
Caution: Can be fiddly to set up. Test well before going live.
Trend or Trendy? Trend. It’s where AI meets operations — and it’s quietly changing how teams get things done.
- AI as a skillset, not just a tool
This one’s about mindset. The most future-ready EAs won’t just use AI. They’ll manage it. Direct it. Blend it with human support and know when to trust the tech, and when to tap their instincts.
AI fluency is becoming part of the EA brand.
Tip: Keep a simple AI log: what you tried, what worked, what to test again.
Caution: Don’t just chase tools. Learn how to orchestrate them.
Trend or Trendy? Trend. AI isn’t just a feature. It’s a competency.
As we quickly move through the AI curve, the smartest EAs will combine strategic thinking with smart systems, using AI as quietly and confidently as you once adopted email or spreadsheets. The only question is: which trend will you lead with?
Tracy Sheen is an award-winning author, speaker, and AI strategist. Known as The Digital Guide, she helps professionals across Australia demystify AI and digital tools without the overwhelm. With 30+ years in tech and marketing, Tracy has delivered more than 2,000 presentations and written two books — including AI & U: Reimagine Business. Learn more at www.thedigitalguide.com.au
