Corporate America’s on Ozempic, and the side effect is mass layoffs. In this episode, host Emily Laird slices into the juicy mess of the AI-powered corporate slim-down brought to you by a fantastic article by the WSJ. Turns out your boss doesn’t hate you, he just read a memo that said a chatbot is cheaper. From Amazon’s Andy Jassy preaching lean teams like it’s a TED Talk for sociopaths, to Walmart quietly firing 100,000 people while raking in billions, we unpack how generative AI is becoming the CFO’s new best friend. Less staff, more spreadsheets, and absolutely no chill.
The Wall Street Journal Article (subscription required, sorry!)
Connect with Us: If you enjoyed this episode or have questions, reach out to Emily Laird on LinkedIn. Stay tuned for more insights into the evolving world of generative AI. And remember, you now know more about AI & jobs and no I'm not getting off this soapbox anytime soon.
Connect with Emily Laird on LinkedIn
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9:06
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9:06
Andy Jassy & the AI Workforce Purge
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy just dropped a memo that’s equal parts pep talk and pink slip warning: AI is amazing, and it’s coming for your job. In this episode, host Emily Laird breaks down how Amazon is unleashing AI agents like digital Avengers to automate the mundane, boost efficiency, and quietly make some roles...disappear. We unpack what it means to “adapt or become the next Blockbuster,” why passive-aggressive robots are the future of your Slack channel, and how to become an AI-literate teammate before your digital coworkers outpace you.
Check out the Jassy Memo (seriously, read it, sport).
Connect with Us: If you enjoyed this episode or have questions, reach out to Emily Laird on LinkedIn. Stay tuned for more insights into the evolving world of generative AI. And remember, you now know more about Andy Jassy's memo and a leaner future workforce.
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9:30
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9:30
The AI Job Market Has Entered the Chat
Forget robot overlords. For now, AI still needs us to clean up its messes, cast its voices, and make sure it doesn’t accidentally go full Bond villain. In this episode, Emily breaks down the New York Times article on 22 new jobs AI could give you instead of just taking yours. From AI ethicists who play moral compass to personality directors deciding whether your chatbot sounds more like Oprah or Steve Harvey, we’re looking at new roles built around trust, integration, and taste. Your next job might involve babysitting a bot, fine-tuning its vibe, or making sure it doesn’t start pitching crypto scams. The future of work is weird, but it’s hiring.
Check out the New York Times article (seriously, read it).
Connect with Us: If you enjoyed this episode or have questions, reach out to Emily Laird on LinkedIn. Stay tuned for more insights into the evolving world of generative AI. And remember, you now know more about AI and future job predictions!
Connect with Emily Laird on LinkedIn
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10:50
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10:50
AI Pro Tips Series: Prompt Like a Pro
Sick of AI giving you answers with all the flavor of corporate hold music? In this episode of our AI Pro Tips series, Emily Laird cracks open the secret sauce of prompting: ruthless specificity. Forget vague instructions! Think of AI like a rookie line cook: you want steak and fries, not leftovers from the walk-in. From prepping your prompts with chef-level detail to demanding feedback as sharp as a sushi chef’s knife, we’ll show you how to turn your AI sidekick from phoning it in to plating up brilliance. Want your AI to finally get it right? Give it a real shopping list. Bon appétit, data nerds.
Connect with Us: If you enjoyed this episode or have questions, reach out to Emily Laird on LinkedIn. Stay tuned for more insights into the evolving world of generative AI. And remember, you now you have some AI tips to try this week!
Connect with Emily Laird on LinkedIn
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8:24
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8:24
AI Pro Tips Series: Assumptions & Stakeholders
Think you’ve got all your project bases covered? Think again. In this episode, Emily Laird calls out the hidden holes in your plans that even your espresso-fueled brain misses. Forget the coddling, AI is here to serve up brutal honesty and a reality check, sniffing out the overlooked people, missing voices, and embarrassing assumptions tucked into your “flawless” work. Hear how large language models catch what you don’t, why your team’s digital transformation plan probably won’t fly in rural Iowa, and how a simple AI prompt can make you look like the office genius (while saving you from your own blind spots). This episode is your shortcut to ruthless self-awareness, no ego spared, sandwich possibly stolen.
Connect with Us: If you enjoyed this episode or have questions, reach out to Emily Laird on LinkedIn. Stay tuned for more insights into the evolving world of generative AI. And remember, you now you have some AI tips to try this week!
Connect with Emily Laird on LinkedIn
Welcome to Generative AI 101, your go-to podcast for learning the basics of generative artificial intelligence in easy-to-understand, bite-sized episodes. Join host Emily Laird, AI Integration Technologist and AI lecturer, to explore key concepts, applications, and ethical considerations, making AI accessible for everyone.
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