News/Future of Work
Juggalos slam Insane Clown Posse for using AI over community artists when they can afford to do otherwise
Insane Clown Posse has sparked backlash from their devoted fanbase, known as juggalos, after releasing an AI-generated teaser video for their upcoming album "The Naught." The controversy highlights growing tensions within music communities as artists increasingly turn to artificial intelligence for content creation, potentially alienating fans who value authentic artistic expression and want to support human creators within their communities. What happened: Eagle-eyed juggalos identified telltale signs of AI generation in ICP's album teaser, including garbled text frames and an hourglass with sand falling through what appears to be AI-generated imagery. The video also features a grandfather clock filled with...
read Jul 29, 2025Survey: 60% of Americans use AI for search while workplace adoption lags and companionship use low
A comprehensive survey from the Associated Press and NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals that American AI adoption follows predictable patterns—with a notable generation gap that could reshape how businesses think about workplace technology integration. The polling data, based on responses from 1,437 adults surveyed in July, shows that while 60% of Americans use artificial intelligence to search for information, workplace adoption remains surprisingly limited. Only about 4 in 10 Americans report using AI for work tasks, suggesting that despite years of industry hype about productivity-boosting AI assistants, most professionals haven't yet integrated these tools into their daily routines....
read Jul 29, 2025“They don’t go on strike.” CEO cuts 27 of 30 student workers on sales team and replaces them with AI.
Elijah Clark, a CEO who advises companies on AI implementation, has publicly celebrated firing employees and replacing them with artificial intelligence, telling Gizmodo he's "extremely excited" about laying off 27 of 30 student workers on his sales team. His candid enthusiasm reflects a broader corporate trend where executives are increasingly transparent about their intentions to displace human workers with AI technology, despite mixed results and potential long-term consequences. What they're saying: Clark's comments reveal the cold calculus behind AI adoption decisions among business leaders. "AI doesn't go on strike. It doesn't ask for a pay raise," Clark explained. "These things...
read Jul 29, 2025Meta now allows AI assistants in coding interviews to match real hybrid work environments
Meta is allowing job candidates to use AI assistants during coding interviews, marking a significant shift in how tech companies evaluate engineering talent. The move reflects CEO Mark Zuckerberg's vision of "vibecoding," where engineers will increasingly manage AI coding agents rather than write code themselves. What you should know: Meta is actively testing AI-enabled interviews and recruiting employees for mock sessions to refine the process. An internal company post stated: "Meta is developing a new type of coding interview in which candidates have access to an AI assistant. This is more representative of the developer environment that our future employees...
read Jul 29, 2025Commonwealth Bank of Australia cuts 45 jobs as AI voice bots replace customer service roles
Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), the country's largest lender, is cutting 45 jobs as part of its shift toward artificial intelligence automation, with the Finance Sector Union claiming a total of 90 roles are being eliminated. The job cuts highlight growing tensions between AI-driven efficiency gains and workforce displacement, as Australia's banking sector increasingly adopts automation technologies. What you should know: CBA confirmed it's eliminating positions following the introduction of AI voice bot systems for customer service operations.• The bank implemented a new voice bot system on its inbound customer enquiries line in June, which directly led to the elimination...
read Jul 28, 20256 strategies helping coaches scale their $20B industry and counter metric-driven AI encroachment
The coaching industry faces a fundamental shift as artificial intelligence transforms how professionals deliver guidance and support to clients. While many coaches believe their emotional intelligence and human connection create an impenetrable barrier against automation, the reality is more nuanced—and more urgent. The coaching market, valued at over $20 billion globally, encompasses everything from executive leadership development to life coaching and specialized business consulting. Coaches traditionally operate on a time-for-money model, conducting one-on-one sessions that rely heavily on personal interaction and intuitive guidance. However, client expectations are evolving rapidly. Modern clients increasingly prioritize speed, accessibility, and measurable outcomes over traditional...
read Jul 25, 2025Trump’s AI Action Plan prioritizes speed and upskilling over safety, worker protections
The Trump administration's new AI Action Plan signals a dramatic shift in how America approaches artificial intelligence policy, prioritizing rapid deployment and global dominance over the safety guardrails and worker protections that defined the previous administration's approach. Released as a 28-page policy blueprint, the plan charts an aggressive course toward AI supremacy while largely sidestepping thorny debates over copyright, environmental impact, and algorithmic bias. "America must do more than promote AI within its own borders," the document declares. "The United States must also drive adoption of American AI systems, computing hardware, and standards throughout the world." This ambitious vision comes...
read Jul 24, 2025Microsoft cuts 15K jobs while stock hits $500—CEO addresses concerns
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has acknowledged that the company's extensive layoffs in 2025 have been "weighing heavily" on him, addressing employee concerns in an internal memo following the elimination of over 15,000 positions this year. The cuts, which represent one of the largest workforce reductions in Microsoft's history, have coincided with the company's stock reaching record highs above $500, highlighting the tension between financial performance and employee morale during a period of industry-wide restructuring. What you should know: Microsoft has laid off approximately 15,000 employees in 2025, including 9,000 people announced just a week before the stock hit its $500...
read Jul 24, 2025Americans are using AI for career changes, perfect resumes that everyone else can also make
One in three Americans has used AI tools like ChatGPT to help with career changes, according to a new study from Southeastern Oklahoma University based on a survey of 1,000 Americans. The findings reveal AI's growing influence in the job market at a time when over half of workers are actively considering career transitions, though trust in AI-generated advice remains limited compared to human guidance. What you should know: The survey reveals widespread adoption of AI for career planning across different generations and use cases. Gen Z leads the charge with 57% considering job changes, followed by millennials (55%), Gen...
read Jul 23, 2025Why human skills – but not the number of humans (sorry) – matter more as AI spreads at work
Psychology Today's Laura Berger argues that as AI becomes more prevalent in workplaces, the solution to avoiding the "Uncanny Valley"—where AI-generated content feels eerily human but emotionally vacant—lies in strengthening distinctly human capabilities rather than making AI more human-like. The piece emphasizes that longstanding relationships, metacognition, emotional intelligence, and adaptive momentum are irreplaceable human assets that become more valuable, not less, in an AI-driven world. The big picture: The concept of the Uncanny Valley, originally applied to human-like robots that provoke discomfort, now extends to AI-generated workplace communications that hit technical marks but lack emotional resonance. Berger suggests that instead...
read Jul 23, 2025Creative roles diminish in B2B marketing budgets as content creation automates
Forrester's latest survey reveals that B2B marketers are strategically cutting brand and communications budgets as generative AI enables more efficient content production and economic uncertainty drives conservative spending. The research shows a notable decline in planned investments for digital programs and creative services, with companies redirecting resources toward brand management as genAI automates traditional marketing workflows. What you should know: Economic pressures and AI adoption are fundamentally reshaping how B2B companies allocate marketing resources in 2025. Website and digital program investment expectations dropped from 64% to 60% of marketers, despite remaining a top priority for increased investment. Content and creative...
read Jul 23, 2025Altman and Cuban warn AI will eliminate entire job categories within 5 years
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and billionaire Mark Cuban have issued stark warnings about AI's imminent impact on employment, with Altman predicting entire job categories will be "eaten up" by AI and Cuban declaring AI literacy will become a mandatory workplace skill within five years. Their predictions suggest a fundamental reshaping of the workforce is already underway, requiring immediate preparation from both workers and employers. What they're saying: Both tech leaders emphasized the urgency of adapting to AI's workplace transformation. "That's a category where I just say, you know what, when you call customer support, you're on target and AI, and...
read Jul 22, 202537% of small businesses use AI with Gen Z leading adoption and satisfaction
Small businesses across America are embracing artificial intelligence at an accelerating pace, with 37% of owners currently using AI tools and 71% of current users planning to increase their investment, according to a new CNBC|SurveyMonkey survey. This grassroots adoption is reshaping Main Street operations and workforce decisions, with younger entrepreneurs leading a generational divide in both AI adoption and its impact on employment. The generational divide: Younger business owners are driving AI adoption at dramatically higher rates than their older counterparts. Gen Z and millennial small business owners report current AI usage at 59% and 51% respectively, compared to just...
read Jul 22, 2025AI may eliminate 50% of jobs by 2045—but the real crisis is psychological
Psychology Today psychologist Michael Mannino argues that widespread AI automation may eliminate jobs but create an existential crisis, as work provides identity, purpose, and community beyond just income. His analysis warns that while universal basic income might address economic needs, it cannot resolve the deeper psychological void left when humans lose their primary source of meaning and social connection. The core argument: Work serves three essential human functions that go far beyond earning money—developing personal capabilities, fostering collaboration, and contributing to society's needs. Drawing from economist E.F. Schumacher's "Buddhist Economics," Mannino argues that viewing work merely as a burden to...
read Jul 21, 2025Reading, writing, AI-rithmetic: Louisiana opens first K-5 school designed around AI education
Preston Castille, a Louisiana education leader, has opened the Helix AI and Medical Academy in Opelousas, marking the first new school built in the parish in decades. The 40,000-square-foot facility will teach K-5 students how to utilize artificial intelligence and prepare for AI-driven job markets, with classes beginning in August 2025. The big picture: This represents one of the first elementary schools in the United States specifically designed around AI education, reflecting how educational institutions are adapting to integrate emerging technologies into core curriculum from an early age. Key details: The school can accommodate up to 600 students and focuses...
read Jul 21, 2025Journalists and Big Fact Check struggle to remain relevant in the age of AI
AI lacks the capability to fully replace journalism despite advances in large language models, as demonstrated by recent analysis showing critical gaps in context understanding and fact verification. This limitation becomes particularly concerning as traditional newsrooms continue to shrink and AI tools increasingly handle content that once required human expertise and investigation. The big picture: Traditional journalism has faced a perfect storm of declining readership, shrinking newsrooms, and reduced editorial courage, leaving fewer human journalists to perform essential watchdog functions. Newsrooms have experienced massive staff cuts over the past decade, while journalists have become "less able to speak truth to...
read Jul 21, 2025AI replaces 30% of coding jobs while tech leaders debate future impact
Tech leaders remain sharply divided on whether artificial intelligence will trigger widespread white-collar job losses, with predictions ranging from minimal disruption to unemployment rates reaching 20% within five years. While some executives like Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, warn of significant job displacement, others including Nvidia's Jensen Huang argue AI will only eliminate jobs "if the world runs out of ideas," highlighting the uncertainty surrounding AI's true impact on the workforce. What you should know: Major tech companies are already implementing AI to handle tasks previously done by humans, with measurable results across coding and other white-collar functions. Amazon used...
read Jul 21, 2025Stanford study: 15K workers want AI for scheduling, reject it for decision-making
A comprehensive Stanford University study surveying 15,000 workers across more than 100 job categories reveals significant insights into how employees want artificial intelligence integrated into their daily work. The research, led by Yijia Shao, a Ph.D. student in Stanford's computer science department, addresses a critical gap in AI deployment strategy: understanding worker preferences before implementing new technologies. The study's timing proves particularly relevant as organizations rush to adopt AI capabilities without fully considering employee perspectives. While technical feasibility often drives AI implementation decisions, workers ultimately determine whether these technologies succeed or fail in practice. This research provides the first large-scale...
read Jul 21, 2025Why people are utilizing the robo-slur “clankers” — and what it means
The term "clanker," originally a derogatory slur for robots from Star Wars, has emerged as real-world slang used by people frustrated with increasing automation and the presence of humanoid robots in daily life. What began as ironic usage has evolved into a more serious expression of concern about job displacement and the normalization of robots performing traditionally human roles. What you should know: "Clanker" specifically refers to humanoid robots performing jobs typically reserved for humans, such as serving food or cleaning. The term originated in Star Wars during the Clone Wars, where human protagonists used it to derogatorily refer to...
read Jul 18, 2025Survey: 80% of professionals say AI will transform work within a year
The workplace revolution promised by artificial intelligence isn't coming—it's already here, and accelerating faster than most organizations realize. While 80% of professionals believe AI will significantly impact their work within the next year, according to new research from Thomson Reuters, the business information services company, most haven't experienced the full transformation yet. This presents both an opportunity and a risk. Companies that position their workforce strategically now will gain competitive advantages, while those that lag behind may find their employees unable to keep pace with AI-enabled competitors. The key lies in understanding that AI adoption differs fundamentally from previous technology...
read Jul 17, 2025Candy Crush maker King fires 200 workers to replace them with AI they built
Two major gaming companies recently demonstrated how not to handle AI-driven workforce changes, with King (maker of Candy Crush) laying off 200 employees to replace them with AI tools those same workers had built, and Microsoft's Xbox division posting AI-generated artwork for new job openings just after conducting layoffs. These incidents highlight a growing concern about how companies communicate and implement AI-driven changes while maintaining employee trust and morale. What happened at King: The mobile gaming giant announced layoffs affecting approximately 200 staff members, primarily targeting middle management and UX and narrative copywriting roles. Multiple sources inside King alleged that...
read Jul 17, 2025AI divides Hollywood writers between creative tool and existential threat as WGA earnings drop
Hollywood screenwriters are grappling with an unprecedented challenge as AI technology rapidly advances into their creative domain, with some embracing it as a collaborative tool while others view it as an existential threat to human storytelling. The debate has intensified since the 2023 Writers Guild strike, which secured protections against mandatory AI use, but many writers remain concerned that the technology's exponential growth could fundamentally reshape—or eliminate—their profession. The big picture: AI's integration into Hollywood extends far beyond writing, permeating nearly every stage of production from script development and previsualization to casting and marketing, but screenwriting remains the most controversial...
read Jul 17, 2025Spreading the mental health wealth: AI task-sharing multiplies therapeutic capacity
Mental health services face a critical shortage crisis. With demand for therapy significantly outpacing the supply of qualified professionals, organizations worldwide are exploring innovative solutions to bridge this gap. Enter task-sharing—a systematic approach where mental health specialists delegate specific responsibilities to trained non-specialists, effectively multiplying their reach and impact. Now, artificial intelligence is poised to supercharge this model. A new field guide from Grand Challenges Canada, McKinsey Health Institute, and Google outlines how AI can streamline task-sharing programs, making them more efficient and scalable than ever before. Rather than replacing human therapists, AI serves as an administrative backbone, handling logistics,...
read Jul 17, 2025Giving and taking: Microsoft launches four-billion-dollar social impact fund amid AI-driven layoffs
Microsoft has reportedly saved $500 million in call center costs through AI implementation while simultaneously laying off 9,000 employees in its third round of cuts, bringing total layoffs to 15,000 workers. This stark juxtaposition of AI-driven cost savings and mass workforce reduction highlights the accelerating displacement of human workers by artificial intelligence, raising urgent questions about job security and the need for regulatory protections in the tech industry. What you should know: Microsoft's chief commercial officer revealed that AI tools have dramatically improved productivity across multiple departments while reducing operational costs. AI has created over a third of the code...
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