How AI Can Turn Ideas Into Organized Maps

10

October

2025

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We often use mind maps to organize our thoughts, connect ideas, and visualize complex topics in a simple but structured way. They’re especially useful for brainstorming, note-taking or preparing projects. However, it can take time to create a detailed mind map. Especially when we have to summarize long articles, videos or research papers. That’s where AI tools like Mapify.so come in. A tool like Mapify makes it easier and faster to create these clear mind maps automatically, helping us save time.

After signing up for Mapify.so, the platform asks how you plan to use it: for work, education or personal projects. It then gives a short introduction about its features. Some key features include:

  • Free on-page summarization
  • Suppport for 30+ languages
  • Works with Youtube videos, PDFs, documents, research papers, blog posts, social media posts and even emails
  • You can ask questions and the tool will research and brainstorm ideas for you
  • There are two AI models: Instant (faster, credit-efficient) and Powerful (more detailed, higher quality)
  • Option to generate mind maps step by step for more control or all at once for quick results
  • And lastly a wide selection of templates for brainstorming, outlining, project planning, analysis and more

For my test, I uploaded a Youtube video essay called “Drowning in Entertainment: The Age of Distraction.” Within minutes, Mapify analyzed the 33-minute video and turned it into a color-coded mind map that summarized the entire discussion clearly. Each subtopic had its own color, making the structure easy to follow and visually appealing. I could also change the format (logic chart, tree chart, timeline or standard mind map) and present it as slides. One of the most impressive features was being able to view the transcript of the video and even chat with the AI tool about the content. 

Essentially, I was able to understand a 33-minute video in under 5 minutes, without even watching it. When finished, I could export or share the mind map and even tag it for better organization in my account.

Besides the free plan (which gives you 10 credits), Mapify offers 3 paid options: 

  • Basic Plan: €5.99/month
  • Pro Plan: €11.99/month
  • Unlimited: €17.99/month

You can receive a 40% discount if you take a year plan. The basic plan excludes audio summarization and image uploads, while the pro plan adds text-to-image generation and more file types. Personally, I’d choose the pro plan, as it offers the best balance between price and functionality. The unlimited plan mainly includes early access and premium perks that I don’t find essential.

Overall, Mapify.so is a powerful, time-saving AI tool for students, professionals and anyone who wants to learn efficiently. However, I did face some navigation challenges. Improving the user interface with a clearer navigation bar or dashboard could make the experience smoother.
Despite these small issues, Mapify.so stands out as an efficient AI tool for summarizing and visualizing information. It’s an excellent example of how generative AI can make productivity more effective.

Mapify: AI Mind Map Summarizer. (n.d.-b). Mapify. https://mapify.so/

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When Football meets NFTs

10

October

2025

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In recent years, NFTs, also known as non-fungible tokens, have taken the digital world by storm. Simply put, an NFT is a one-of-a-kind digital asset that proves ownership of something unique, like an image, video, or collectible. In football, they’ve been promoted as a new way for fans to connect with players, buy digital player cards, or access special experiences (Sorare, n.d.).

But as exciting as it sounds, not every project is as trustworthy as it appears. A recent case in Spain shows how easily an emerging technology like this can turn into controversy.

According to PANews, authorities in Barcelona are currently investigating a cryptocurrency fraud case involving several well-known football players. The company Shirtum allegedly scammed investors out of about $3.4 million through an NFT project that never delivered what it promised. Some big names were tied to the project: Papu Gómez, Lucas Ocampos, Ivan Rakitic, Javier Saviola, Nico Pareja and Alberto Moreno. Prosecutors claim that Shirtum operated through a complicated business structure to avoid paying taxes. The players reportedly helped promote the NFTs as “founders.” These tokens were meant to represent the players’ image rights, but investigators say they never gained any real trading function. After the promotion, related posts on social media disappeared and the company later claimed it had been hacked without filing a police report. Soon after, Shirtum shut down completely without any explanation (Binance, 2025).

As someone who enjoys watching football, I believe NFTs have the potential to make the sport more interactive if used responsibly. Unfortunately, scandals like Shirtum’s make fans lose trust. For NFTs to succeed in sports, transparency should come first. Football players and clubs need to ensure that what they promote is legitimate and provides genuine benefits. In the end, NFTs should be about strengthening fan communities, not taking advantage of the loyalty and passion of fans.


Sources:

Binance. (2025, June 11). Barcelona court investigates cryptocurrency fraud involving football players. Binance. https://www.binance.com/en/square/post/06-11-2025-barcelona-court-investigates-cryptocurrency-fraud-involving-football-players-25461462914385

Sorare. (n.d.). https://sorare.com/football

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Enhancing Educational Support with GenAI: How Lyceo is Integrating AI into its Learning Framework

18

October

2024

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The ongoing teacher shortage in the Netherlands is a growing concern, creating disruptions that impact the quality of education and limiting students’ future opportunities. With some classes and even entire school days being canceled, and certain subjects no longer taught, education has taken a hit. As a response, many parents have turned to private tutoring or homework assistance for their children, while schools increasingly seek external educational services. Among these, Lyceo has emerged as the largest provider.

As more and more schools rely on Lyceo, the company is able to leverage AI technology to address various educational challenges and automate tasks. With the introduction of the Lyceo GenAI learning tool, the company’s virtual tutors will be able to support students by answering questions and providing timely feedback on assignments. The tool will offer personalized insights, highlighting students’ strengths and identifying areas where they can improve. By considering diverse learning preferences and abilities, Lyceo can create tailored teaching strategies and resources for each student. This technology not only provides real-time explanations but also extends continuous support, even during late-night study sessions. This self-paced approach is particularly beneficial for those students who prefer to study according to their own schedules.

Additionally, Lyceo’s GenAI-powered chatbots will enhance customer service by assisting parents in obtaining answers immediately. The chatbots are designed to provide information and perform tasks. The informative chatbots will deliver pre-set information to help parents with questions about pricing or suitable programs tailored to a student’s needs. In contrast, task-based chatbots are programmed to handle specific requests, such as scheduling tutoring sessions for students.

However, integrating GenAI into Lyceo’s business model involves considerable investment. The costs for implementing generative AI can range from minimal to several million euros, depending on the specific use case and scale. While smaller companies may benefit from free versions of generative AI tools, like ChatGPT, Lyceo will likely need to invest in customized AI services to develop the online learning tool and sophisticated chatbots tailored to their needs.

The potential benefits make this investment worthwhile, enabling Lyceo to improve its educational support services and continue to meet the evolving demands of schools, students and parents.

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Explore HeyGen’s video magic!

22

October

2023

5/5 (1)

Having previously faced challenges in producing professional videos, the introduction of a new AI tool named HeyGen appears to be a promising solution. HeyGen is an advanced AI video generation platform designed to simplify the creation of professional videos. The tool uses AI-driven avatars that stimulate creativity by eliminating the expensive constraints associated with traditional video filming and editing. By employing advanced generative AI technology, it enables users to convert textual content into engaging video material. HeyGen also offers an API to integrate a user’s project with other tools.

A user can utilize the tool to create several types of video contents, such as demos and tutorials, without the need for a specialized software. The tool offers different plans, including a free plan that allows a user to create a video of 1 minute maximum. 

I explored the many features of HeyGen and here is my evaluation:

My initial impression is that the tool has a user-friendly interface.

The tool gives the user the option to start creating videos with a very diverse range of templates and avatars. There is also the option to animate your photo with text.

The tool also offers different languages and even different tones that a user can utilize.

The platform is equipped with a convenient drag-and-drop functionality that allows users to seamlessly incorporate diverse elements such as background music and personalized avatars into their projects.

My overall impression, is that a user does not have to have technical expertise to use  HeyGen. It is very beginner-friendly. The tool offers guidance as well.

At present, HeyGen does not provide the option for multiple avatars within a single scene, suggesting room for enhancement in this aspect. Additionally, the introduction of a student plan could be a valuable addition, especially considering that the most affordable plan currently starts at $24.

Source:

HeyGen. (n.d.). Explainer video maker: Create Explainer Videos Online.  https://www.heygen.com/explainer-video-maker

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Simplify your research with Humata AI

21

October

2023

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Approximately two years ago, I dedicated considerable effort to my undergraduate thesis, diligently reviewing around 10 articles daily. During this period, AI tools were not as accessible as they are today. Consequently, I did not actively pursue an AI solution to enhance my efficiency. Recently, however, I encountered Humata, which offers a potential solution for this problem. 

Humata AI, an AI assistant tool, leverages Large Language Model (LLM), to facilitate users to pose inquiries regarding their documents and receive relevant information. Humata uses AI to create two values for their users: automation and better decisions. It essentially functions as a ChatGPT for PDF files, but is tailored for the analysis and comprehension of lengthy papers and various document types. It enables users to grasp data more rapidly and swiftly navigate through a PDF document (Humata, n.d.).

I decided to experiment with this tool, and here is my assessment:

Upon logging in, you have the option to upload your file directly. The file I uploaded had a size of 1129 KB, and it took me under a minute to initiate my inquiries.

Prior to posing questions, Humata will provide you with a concise overview of the article. Additionally, it will offer a selection of sample questions.

The tool not only provides you with a response but also emphasizes the paragraphs containing the answer, specifies the page(s) where the answer is located, and includes citations to enable users to trace the source of the information.

Overall, I discovered the tool to be highly beneficial. It could enhance research in innovative ways. I would recommend it to briefly skim PDF files during your studies. Nevertheless, there was some ambiguity as a significant portion of the PDF file was highlighted when I posed my question.

However, these AI tools that enhance academic research come with risks. One of them is the risk of overly relying on technology, impeding our capacity for critical thinking and problem-solving. (Esplugas, 2023). It can also provide an unfair advantage to the more privileged members of society due to its costs (Esplugas, 2023).

Humata offers four different subscription plans, including a free plan that permits users to upload up to 60 pages and pose a total of 10 questions. There is also a student plan available for $1.99, allowing students to upload up to 200 pages and access basic chat support (Humata, n.d.).

Sources:

Humata. (n.d.). https://www.humata.ai/ 

Esplugas, M. (2023). The use of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance academic communication, education and research: a balanced approach. Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume), 48(8), 819-822.

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