Using AI Tools As A Second Brain

The AI Hack That Everyone Is Talking About

Artificial Intelligence often feels distant or overly technical. However, when applied in smart, everyday ways, it can change how we think, remember, and learn. Recently, a simple but powerful trend is gaining momentum online: people are using AI tools to act as a second brain.

What Is the “Second Brain” Hack?

It’s a method for capturing, organizing, and using the ideas, resources, and insights you encounter in your daily life, so you can free up your mind to be more creative and focused.

In short, it’s about saving every idea, thought, or task in AI instead of in a traditional notebook.

The concept was popularized by productivity expert Tiago Forte in his book, “Building a Second Brain.” The core idea is to create a digital repository (your “second brain”) using tools like note-taking apps (e.g., Notion, Evernote, Obsidian) to store and manage everything you learn.

The C.O.D.E. Method

Forte’s method for building a second brain is based on a four-step process he calls C.O.D.E.:

Capture: The first step is to save any information that resonates with you. This could be anything from a thought you have, a quote you read, or an interesting article. The goal is to get it out of your head and into a trusted system.

Organize: Next, you arrange your captured notes using the P.A.R.A. method, which stands for Projects, Areas, Resources, and Archives. This system helps you organize information based on its actionability and context.

Distill: This is where you review and refine your notes, highlighting key points and summarizing them in your own words. The goal is to make the information as concise and useful as possible for your future self.

Express: The final step is to put your knowledge to use. By creating something new—whether it’s an article, a presentation, or a new idea—you solidify your understanding and turn your notes into a tangible output.

Why Is It Going Viral?

Firstly, it feels magical: your messy notes transform into clarity.

Secondly, it saves hours of searching or rewriting.

Finally, it makes people feel more productive and creative with less effort. In an age where attention is limited, this hack spreads fast because it promises freedom from mental overload.

This trend is popular because, unlike static notes, AI learns from your inputs. For example, you can ask: “Summarise my last five ideas about marketing,” or “Remind me how I planned my last project.” The AI recalls, structures, and suggests improvements instantly.

Why It’s Called a “Hack”

The Second Brain method is often called a “hack” because it’s a practical and systematic way to overcome common productivity challenges, such as information overload, forgetfulness, and creative blocks. By offloading the burden of remembering everything to a reliable digital system, you free up your biological brain for higher-level tasks like thinking, creating, and connecting ideas.

External Digital Repository

The “Second Brain” is a personal knowledge management (PKM) system that acts as an external digital repository for your ideas and information. It was popularised by productivity expert Tiago Forte, who developed a proven methodology to help individuals and businesses organise their digital lives and unlock their creative potential. The core of this system is the C.O.D.E. method, an acronym for Capture, Organise, Distil, and Express.

The concept is considered a relevant “hack” because it helps to combat information overload by freeing up your biological brain from the burden of remembering everything. By systematically saving and organising information, you can focus on higher-level tasks such as thinking and creativity. The method provides a clear, actionable path to create a reliable system that allows you to easily retrieve past knowledge and use it to complete projects and achieve goals, leading to reduced stress and enhanced productivity.