Try AI for Growth

n this episode of Try AI for Growth, Sara Vicente Barreto shares how one AI tool—Claude for Excel—made her rethink what her first job would look like today. By bringing AI directly into spreadsheets, Claude doesn't just assist with analysis—it can fix formulas, rebuild models, validate data, and even create full dashboards from scratch. Through real examples, from debugging complex files to building a 2026 reporting dashboard, Sara explores how tasks that once defined entry-level analyst roles can now be done in minutes. But beyond productivity, this raises a bigger question: if AI can do the work that used to teach us how to think, analyse, and problem-solve… how do people develop those skills in the first place? A practical and thought-provoking episode for anyone working with data, managing teams, or thinking about the future of work.

In this episode of Try AI for Growth, Sara Vicente Barreto explores how a simple shift in using AI transformed a moment of overwhelm into real learning. What started as a frustrating biology revision session became a powerful experiment in focus, using Google Notebook LLM to ground AI in specific materials. The result? Greater clarity, confidence, and a completely different learning experience. This episode unpacks why AI often creates noise instead of value—and how narrowing its scope can turn it into a true learning partner, both at home and in business.

In this episode of Try AI for Growth, Sara Vicente Barreto explores what really happens after a networking event, and why so much potential gets lost in the follow-up. Using AI as a personal secretary, she shares how a simple voice interaction turned scattered thoughts into structured, actionable next steps. From capturing conversations in real time to identifying opportunities and prioritising actions, this episode shows how AI can go beyond note-taking to become a true thinking partner. If you've ever left an event feeling energised but overwhelmed, this practical experiment will show you how to turn conversations into meaningful outcomes.

In this episode of Try AI for Growth, Sara shares how she used AI to automate a monthly accounting process—and why it completely failed the first time. What started as a straightforward automation attempt quickly turned into a deeper exercise in structuring data, defining rules, and debugging with AI. Using Claude, Sara didn't just build a macro—she uncovered hidden issues, refined her system, and improved the accuracy of the process. This episode is a candid look at what using AI in real life actually involves: iteration, failure, and small technical details that make all the difference.

In this episode of Try AI for Growth, Sara Vicente Barreto shares a simple workflow that helped her capture a blog idea while driving and turn it into a usable draft. Starting with a quick voice note recorded in the car, she used Descript to generate a transcript and ChatGPT to clean it up into a structured first version. The result? A low-friction way to capture ideas anywhere and turn messy thoughts into something ready to build on. If you've ever struggled to find time to write or wished you could capture ideas on the go, this experiment shows how combining a few AI tools can make the process much easier.

In this episode of Try AI for Growth, Sara Vicente Barreto explores what happens when you stop relying on just one AI tool and start combining them intentionally. After drafting a company briefing with ChatGPT, she decided to test something different — using Perplexity to verify sources, challenge assumptions, and strengthen the final output. The result? A powerful distinction between AI writing and AI research — and a practical workflow that brings both together. If you've ever wondered whether you should trust what AI produces, this episode offers a simple experiment you can try yourself. Tune in to learn how combining AI tools can turn a good draft into a more grounded, verified and confident piece of work.

In this episode of Try AI for Growth, Sara Vicente Barreto shares a practical story of using AI to introduce automation into a system that already worked: a long-standing Excel file used for monthly accounting and reconciliation. Starting with a small but meaningful problem — converting numbers into text in Portuguese using a custom macro — Sara reflects on what it really means to automate responsibly. Along the way, she explores the value of iteration, error-finding, and adding "memory" to systems without breaking what already functions. A grounded episode for business owners and operators curious about where to start with automation — without replacing judgement or rebuilding everything from scratch.

In this episode of Try AI for Growth, Sara Vicente Barreto shares how she used AI to plan and pack for a last-minute family holiday to Sal, Cape Verde — without the usual stress. From creating a personalised packing list to understanding hotel activities, local excursions, and weather conditions, AI became her on-the-go travel assistant. This episode explores how conversational AI can reduce mental load, bring structure to everyday chaos, and help families feel more prepared before they even board the plane. If holiday planning usually overwhelms you, this experiment might change how you approach it next time.

In this episode of Try AI for Growth, Sara Vicente Barreto shares how AI helped her transform a complex, overwhelming field report from a nine-day trip to Mozambique into a structured set of actions, insights, and strategic directions. Instead of getting stuck in the mental load of hundreds of notes, scattered observations, and project details, Sara used AI to extract actions, identify themes, build analyses, and even generate tools she can reuse in the future. Through hits, misses, iterations, and a few unexpected bugs, this episode reveals how AI can lighten cognitive load, accelerate clarity, and turn "I don't know where to start" into meaningful progress. Listeners will walk away with practical ideas for using AI to break down big tasks, reduce procrastination, and move from overwhelm to organisation.

In this episode of Try AI for Growth, Sara Vicente Barreto shares her journey of building her first custom AI agent: a publishing partner designed to edit, optimize, and package her blog posts—without losing her authentic voice. From identifying the pain points of publishing, to designing and training the agent on her unique workflow, Sara reveals the behind-the-scenes process, the lessons learned, and the surprising impact on her creative flow.

In this episode of Try AI for Growth, Sara Vicente Barreto explores Notebook LLM—a tool designed to turn documents into audio content. After uploading a detailed NGO report, Sara was blown away to receive a conversational podcast so realistic that her team thought she'd produced it herself. With minimal input, the tool delivered something human, engaging, and ready to share. Sara reflects on how Notebook LLM can revolutionize the way we use reports, turning dense content into powerful, accessible formats. She also experiments with FAQs and mind maps, showing how even the most traditional documents can gain new life with AI

In this episode of Try AI for Growth, host Sara Vicente Barreto shares her hands-on experience improving AI image generation using DALL·E. After many failed attempts in the past, she finally cracked the code—by defining her style upfront, using the select tool, and iterating on visual prompts to achieve a cohesive set of cartoon-style illustrations for a critical thinking workshop. She walks listeners through each step, including some comic experiments and key takeaways that anyone experimenting with AI visuals can apply.

In this episode of Try AI for Growth, host Sara Vicente Barreto shares how she tackled a daunting but essential task for any founder—building internal policies. With the help of AI, she created clear, contextual, and practical policies for her advisory business, Inside the Business Mind. From data protection to risk management, Sara reveals how AI helped her overcome procrastination, get started, and refine her documents in a way that saved time, enhanced understanding, and built confidence. Whether you lead a small or medium sized business or you are just getting started, this episode shows how governance doesn't have to be bureaucratic—it just needs to be clear - and to exist.

In this light-hearted episode of Try AI for Growth, Sara Vicente Barreto shares how a Chinese-language book about robots turned into an unexpected evening of discovery, curiosity, and bonding with her son. Using ChatGPT's Lens and Voice Mode, Sara was able to translate, explore, and learn alongside her child—culminating in fun facts, a quiz, and a bedtime story. A beautiful example of how AI can bridge gaps, fuel exploration, and make tech a tool for connection.

In this episode of Try AI for Growth, Sara Vicente Barreto explores how AI—this time Gemini, not ChatGPT—became her partner in curiosity. After finishing the book May Contain Lies, Sara turned to AI to help her not only summarize the content but to push further: turning highlights into checklists, generating follow-up reading lists, and even mapping resources for her upcoming critical thinking workshop. What started as a recap turned into a full research trail—layered, tailored, and thought-provoking. A perfect episode for curious minds, readers, and anyone building learning tools with AI.

In this episode of Try AI for Growth, Sara Vicente Barreto explores how AI is transforming the way we capture and process meeting notes. From CEO advisory calls to investor pitches and charity meetings, Sara shares her personal experience using AI tools—especially Fathom—to save time, boost productivity, and focus more on the conversation. From choosing the right app to real-time highlights and auto-generated follow-ups, this episode is a practical guide for anyone tired of drowning in meeting admin. A must-listen for multitaskers, leaders, and anyone curious about the future of AI in everyday work.

In this episode of Try AI for Growth, Sara Vicente Barreto shares how AI transformed a surprise campervan trip to Serra da Estrela into an immersive, engaging, and culturally rich experience. From helping her choose the destination, planning logistics, and surfacing hidden murals to turning a simple walk into a storytelling adventure for her kids, AI proved to be the ultimate travel companion. Whether you're looking for ways AI can enhance your trips or curious about how it can uncover cultural gems and history on the go, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration for your next journey.

In this episode of Try AI for Growth, Sara Vicente Barreto shares how AI became her secret tool for transforming handwritten notes into structured, actionable content. From meeting notes to book summaries, she discusses how AI helped her transcribe, organize, and refine her ideas—turning scattered thoughts into structured insights. If you've ever stared at pages of notes, wondering what to do with them, this episode is for you. Tune in to discover how AI can help bring clarity, efficiency, and structure to your notes—saving hours of work! 🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform!

In this episode of Try AI for Growth, Sara Vicente Barreto explores how AI tools, like the Khan Academy agent in ChatGPT, are transforming study time with her kids into a collaborative and exciting learning experience. From solving divisibility puzzles and practising math methods to summarizing tricky science concepts, Sara shares her real-life examples of using AI to simplify learning while fostering curiosity and creativity. Perfect for parents looking to explore new ways to engage with their kids' education or anyone curious about how AI can support learning at home.

In this episode of Try AI for Growth, Sara Vicente Barreto shares how AI helped her enhance a Vision Board Workshop. From brainstorming reflection prompts to structuring the agenda, Sara discusses how technology brought creativity, structure, and inspiration into the process. Discover how AI went beyond execution, sparking ideas and providing tailored suggestions to create a meaningful experience for participants. Whether you're planning your own vision board or hosting a workshop, this episode is packed with actionable tips and lessons learned.

In this episode of Try AI for Growth, Sara Vicente Barreto shares how ChatGPT helped her daughter prepare for the role of Molly in Annie. From character insights to performance tips, this experiment turned a school play into an opportunity to explore creativity, confidence-building, and collaboration. Discover how AI can bring a fresh perspective to everyday challenges, even on the stage! Whether you're a parent, a creative, or just curious about the possibilities, this story will inspire you to try AI in surprising ways. 🎧 Tune in now to learn more!

In this episode of Try AI for Growth, Sara Vicente Barreto explores how AI revolutionizes data analysis for leaders and entrepreneurs. Using real-world examples from her NGO work, Sara shares how she transformed overwhelming datasets into actionable insights with the help of AI. From evaluating children's health metrics to leveraging AI for sales and survey data, Sara demonstrates practical applications of AI in business and beyond. Whether you're running a nonprofit, a small business, or a large organization, this episode offers valuable lessons on simplifying data workflows and uncovering trends. 🎧 Tune in to hear Sara's experiments, lessons learned, and how you can apply these strategies to your own challenges.

In this episode of Try AI for Growth, Sara Vicente Barreto shares how she used AI to tackle a holiday challenge we all face—finding thoughtful, budget-friendly gifts for loved ones. With a mix of creativity, intention, and smart prompting, Sara turned to ChatGPT for help brainstorming unique gift ideas tailored to her family's diverse interests and needs. From refining prompts to exploring where to find the perfect items, Sara uncovers how AI can transform the gift-giving process from overwhelming to enjoyable. Along the way, she highlights the importance of specificity, collaboration, and curiosity in working with AI for everyday tasks. 🎧 Tune in to hear Sara's holiday experiment, discover tips for using AI to simplify your shopping, and get inspired to try something new this season!

In this episode of Try AI for Growth, Sara Vicente Barreto tackles a daunting task many business owners and leaders avoid: performance reviews. With the help of AI, Sara transformed a process she had been procrastinating on into something manageable, insightful, and even empowering for her team. Learn how she combined job descriptions, past reviews, and thoughtful prompts to craft a streamlined performance review system tailored to her organization's needs. Along the way, discover practical tips for using AI to simplify workflows, analyze data, and save time. Whether you're rethinking your processes or just looking for inspiration to tackle your next big challenge, this episode will show you how AI can help you take the first step—and beyond. 🎧 Tune in to hear Sara's experiment, lessons learned, and how you can apply these strategies in your own business!

In this first episode of Try AI for Growth, Sara Vicente Barreto shares a surprising and fun story of how she used AI to help her 11-year-old daughter learn wakeboarding for the first time—something Sara herself knew nothing about. From crafting better prompts to involving her daughter in the process, Sara breaks down practical ways to use AI as a collaborative tool for learning, problem-solving, and even family bonding. Packed with tips and lessons for leveraging AI in everyday life, this episode is a reminder to stay curious, experiment boldly, and embrace technology as a partner in growth. Whether you're looking for a creative way to teach a new skill or just curious about what AI can do for you, this episode will leave you motivated to start trying AI for yourself.

In this introductory episode, Sara Vicente Barreto sets the stage for Try AI for Growth, a podcast exploring how artificial intelligence can transform our lives, work, and businesses. Sara shares her passion for AI, addresses skeptics' concerns, and highlights its potential for innovation and productivity—whether at home, at work, or just for fun. She also dives into how this podcast came to life, offering bite-sized experiments and ideas to help listeners start engaging with AI today. Whether you're new to AI or already exploring its possibilities, this episode is your invitation to experiment, learn, and grow. Let's get started!