Getting an email used to feel exciting. Today it’s more likely to be a pitch you never asked for, a newsletter you don’t remember signing up for, or a scam designed to trick you into clicking the wrong link.  

You aren’t imagining it, the volume of emails we receive is exploding. AI is the reason why, and you can fight back. 

The Hidden Economics of Inbox Overload 

Once upon a time, writing and sending emails took work. A human had to sit down, think, and type.

Now there’s an army of AI bots ready to crank out “personalized” messages. Marketing teams love it. Sales teams love it. Scammers really, really love it. 

When the potential profits are this good, a deluge of email is inevitable.  Almost half of marketers are now using generative AI to write copy. Email marketers generate $40 for every dollar they spend. And more than 60% of marketers say they’re sending more emails than ever.

Meanwhile, the bad actors have never been busier. Roughly 3.4 billion phishing emails are fired off every single day. If it feels like your inbox is under siege, that’s because it is! 

Inbox Chaos Isn’t Random, It’s Engineered

Here’s something most people miss: your inbox isn’t random chaos.

Behind the scenes, senders are quietly profiling you. Just like your social feeds, your inbox is getting algorithmically fine-tuned. AI optimizes the subject lines, it tailors calls-to-action, and tracks what you open and when.

The more you engage, the more you feed the beast and the smarter the system gets — which means you’ll receive even more noise.

Why You Need AI on Your Side

So how do you defend yourself? You can’t simply unsubscribe from everything. You can’t switch email off. Email is still how the world communicates.

But you can fight AI with AI, and invest in better inbox defenses. That’s exactly why SaneBox has teamed up with Fastmail.  

→ SaneBox members: get 30% off your first 13 months of Fastmail

Fastmail + SaneBox: The Productivity Power Stack

Together, Fastmail and SaneBox give you a foundation and a filter:

• Fastmail gives you control of your data. No ads, no snooping, no selling your information. Just fast, reliable email with the power features you need.
• SaneBox acts as your inbox defense system. It filters distractions, prioritizes what matters, and learns from your behavior over time — without ever reading your emails.

The result: a calmer inbox, fewer interruptions, and the peace of mind that your data and attention are both protected.

AI changed the rules of email, but with the right tools you can regain control of your inbox and your focus. As a SaneBox member, you get an exclusive 30% off your first 13 months of Fastmail.