Editorial illustration for AI prototype learns to spot distraction versus work, moves to full project
AI Learns to Detect Work vs. Distraction on Screen
AI prototype learns to spot distraction versus work, moves to full project
A handful of developers have been tinkering with AI that watches the screen you’re looking at, trying to tell the difference between a spreadsheet and a meme. The idea sounds simple, but the execution matters: if a model can reliably flag when you drift into YouTube or Reddit, it could become a low‑cost productivity aide for freelancers and remote teams. That’s the promise behind Fomi, a new web‑based assistant that offers a three‑day free trial before moving users onto an $8‑per‑month plan.
Early adopters report that the tool nudges them back to tasks without the heavy‑handed “time‑tracking” feel of older software. The creator’s next step was to see whether today’s models could actually make that distinction. The results proved encouraging enough to push the prototype beyond a curiosity and into a full‑scale project.
Here's the creator’s own take on why the experiment mattered.
I built a small prototype to test whether current models were capable of distinguishing distraction from actual work, and the results were good enough that I decided to turn it into a real project." Fomi offers a three-day free trial. If you decide you like it, subscription plans cost $8 per month. However, since the tool uploads screenshots of your desktop to an AI model in the cloud, there are privacy concerns you will need to weigh before deciding if a tool like this is right for you.
Watch This Space I've been trying out this application for a couple of days. The first time you launch it, you're asked what you do day-to-day and what kind of tools you use to do it. Then, when it's time to focus, you tell the software what you're working on and which tools you plan to use while doing it.
As you work, a green dot and a timer appear at the top of the screen, surrounding your MacBook's notch. If you switch to a potentially distracting application, the dot changes to yellow. If you start engaging in things that are clearly distractions, the dot turns red and an animated tomato splats across the screen.
You'll see a custom message telling you to get to work--the app calls out your specific distraction.
Will this tool actually keep people on task? The prototype managed to tell distraction from work well enough to justify a full project, the creator says. Yet the claim rests on limited testing and personal experience, so broader validation is still lacking.
Fomi now offers a three‑day free trial, after which users can subscribe for $8 a month. For some, the price may be acceptable; for others, the value proposition remains unclear. The service aims to fill the gap where blanket blockers fail, allowing occasional access to sites like Reddit when needed for work‑related research.
However, the system’s ability to accurately classify nuanced activities has not been independently verified. Users will have to decide whether the convenience outweighs potential misclassifications. In practice, the tool could reduce the friction of toggling blockers, but whether it consistently improves productivity is uncertain.
Ultimately, the offering is modestly priced and low‑risk to try, though its long‑term efficacy has yet to be demonstrated.
Further Reading
- Product Hunt - AI Tools - Product Hunt
- There's An AI For That - TAAFT
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Common Questions Answered
How does Fomi distinguish between work and distraction using AI?
Fomi uses computer vision and on-device AI to analyze screen context in real-time, determining whether a user is engaged in productive work or drifting into unproductive content. The AI can intelligently recognize different types of work activities like coding, writing, or research, and only intervenes when it detects genuine distraction.
What makes Fomi different from traditional website blockers?
Unlike rigid blocking tools that simply lock access to certain websites, Fomi provides a context-aware intervention that understands the nuances of a user's workflow. The AI can distinguish between research on YouTube and mindless scrolling, offering a more intelligent and flexible approach to maintaining focus.
What privacy measures does Fomi implement when analyzing user screens?
Fomi prioritizes user privacy by anonymizing personal information locally on the device before any AI analysis takes place. The app does not store screen content or user history, and it only runs when a user explicitly starts a focus session, ensuring maximum control and data protection.