This AI Tool Will Encourage You to Stay Focused and Productive

Over the years, I’ve explored a variety of software tools aimed at minimizing distractions and enhancing focus. Unfortunately, none have proven to be foolproof, largely due to contextual factors.

Take Reddit, for instance; it’s a site I typically try to avoid during working hours, so I block it—this is generally a wise choice. However, occasionally, the only source for specific information I need is a Reddit thread, which forces me to disable my distraction-blocking tool. This often leads me down a distracting path.

This issue is exactly what Fomi, a distraction-blocking application for macOS, aims to address. The app prompts you to specify your current task, then monitors your activities on your Mac, tracking every open application and utilizing AI to assess your screen’s content. It can discern whether you’re using a given website productively or if it’s simply a distraction.

Zach Yang, a developer on the app’s team, shared with me on Discord that the idea for Fomi came after a conversation with a friend studying for an MBA. “He required YouTube for educational videos, making conventional web/app blockers ineffective, and he often got sidetracked by recommendations while watching,” Yang explains. “That made me consider using AI as a solution. I created a small prototype to test whether existing models could differentiate between distraction and genuine work, and the promising results led me to develop it into a proper project.”

Fomi provides a three-day free trial. If you find it beneficial, monthly subscription plans are priced at $8. However, since the software uploads screenshots of your desktop to a cloud-based AI model, you will need to carefully consider the privacy implications before deciding if this tool suits your needs.

Stay Tuned

I’ve been testing this application for a few days. Upon your first launch, you’re asked about your daily tasks and the tools you utilize. When it’s time to concentrate, you specify your current focus and which tools you’ll be using.

As you work, a green dot and a timer appear at the top of the screen, surrounding the notch of your MacBook. If you switch to a potentially distracting app, the dot turns yellow. Engaging in activities that are clearly nonproductive transforms the dot to red, accompanied by an animated tomato splattering on the screen. You’ll encounter a personalized message prompting you to refocus—the app specifically highlights your distraction.

Courtesy of Justin Pot