How to evaluate AI features without falling for checkbox theater

Many software products now advertise AI features, but not all of those features reduce real work. A better review habit is to ask what friction disappears, what new review burden appears, and whether the result improves speed or trust.

A practical starting sequence

1. Start by identifying the exact task the AI feature claims to improve.
2. Check whether the feature saves time on the first pass or only creates cleanup work later.
3. Notice whether the output is reusable in your real workflow or just impressive in a demo.
4. Look for evidence that the feature respects context instead of producing generic filler.
5. Ask whether you would still keep paying for the product if that AI feature disappeared.

Why this works

The best AI reviews are less about spectacle and more about tradeoffs. That is how readers decide whether a feature belongs in a routine, not just a keynote.