We need to rethink email.

Hi everyone! Today I want to talk about an issue that's been a problem on my side for a while now: email. As essential as it is for our daily communication, email has some major flaws that we need to address. Here, I'll explore the problems with email, some possible solutions, and the potential impact of using AI to rethink how we communicate.

Let's start by acknowledging the most obvious problem with email: it's overwhelming. We receive countless messages each day, many of them irrelevant or even spam. It's easy to miss important messages, and it can take a lot of time to sort through the clutter. On top of that, responding to emails can be a tedious task, especially when we have to answer the same questions or provide the same information multiple times. Newsletters get desorganized. And, let's admit, it's really difficult to unsubscribe from some.

Another problem with email is that it can be a breeding ground for miscommunication. Without the benefit of tone or body language, it's easy to misinterpret someone's message or intention. The lack of context can also make it hard to understand what's being discussed. And since email is often used for formal communication, people may feel pressure to be more formal or guarded than they would be in person, leading to stilted or awkward conversations.

So, what's the solution? Well, there's no one-size-fits-all answer, but there are some possible ways we could improve email communication. One idea is to use AI to help us manage our inboxes. For instance, an AI-powered email client could sort messages by importance or topic, highlight emails that require an immediate response, and even draft replies for us. But that also has problems, like privacy concerns.

Another solution is to use different tools for different types of communication. For example, we could use email for longer, more formal messages, instant messaging for quick back-and-forth conversations, and video calls for face-to-face meetings. Using different communication tools depending on the context we can avoid some of the problems associated with each tool.

Another issue to consider is the human element. Communication is more than just exchanging information; it's about building relationships, establishing trust, and showing empathy. AI can't replace these crucial aspects of communication, at least not yet. While it can help us manage our inboxes more efficiently, we still need to be mindful of our tone, language, and how our messages might be perceived by others.

It's clear that we need to rethink how we use email. By experimenting with different communication tools and incorporating AI into our workflows, we can make email more efficient and effective. But we also need to be mindful of the potential downsides and make sure we're not sacrificing the human connection that makes communication meaningful. As always, the key is balance, and by finding the right balance, we can make email work for us rather than against us.