💼 AI Won’t Replace This Mindset

👋 Welcome! If you’re stepping into the AI-powered workplace, today’s issue is for you. Learn how to stay sharp, stand out, and grow confidently alongside the machines. Dive in and take charge.

Hackers Eye Flock’s Watchful Cameras – U.S. lawmakers are demanding an FTC probe into Flock Safety after stolen police logins reportedly gave hackers access to its nationwide license plate network. With billions of vehicle scans at risk, critics say Flock’s failure to mandate multi-factor authentication left public surveillance wide open — a security lapse hiding in plain sight.

Coca-Cola’s AI Holiday Ad Falls Flat Again – Coca-Cola’s 2025 AI-generated Christmas commercial trades uncanny humans for animated animals, but critics say it’s still missing heart. The ad feels like “an imitation of nostalgia,” sparking backlash over the brand’s growing reliance on generative AI. Fans say automation may save costs but it’s draining the magic from Coke’s holiday spirit.

Toyota’s Hydrogen Truck Cleans Up Adventure – Toyota’s new Tacoma packs 547hp, three hydrogen tanks, and off-road power to rival diesel beasts—minus the emissions. Its wildest feature? A system that filters exhaust water for showers in the wilderness. Designed to prove hydrogen can fuel both performance and sustainability, the truck turns eco-tech into overlanding luxury.

Enterprise teams are automating more calls than ever — but without a consistent framework, deployments become unpredictable, costly, and slow to scale.

The BELL Framework introduces a structured way to design, test, launch, and improve Voice AI agents with reliability.

Get the guide enterprises are now using to de-risk voice automation and accelerate deployment.

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Students See AI as Career Catalyst – Young professionals view AI as a tool for advancement, not a job threat. At NYU, Professor Robert Seamans teaches future leaders through “black sheep” AI experiments, helping them test its limits. Students say mastering AI boosts confidence and efficiency — signaling optimism about an AI-powered workforce.

U.S. Job Openings Hit Four-Year Low – Job postings fell to their lowest level since early 2021, as the prolonged government shutdown and slowing economy weighed on hiring. Indeed's Job Postings Index dropped, while advertised salaries cooled. Fed officials warn the labor market is softening, prompting a recent rate cut to support employment stability.

TSA Workers Weather Shutdown with Higher Pay – Unlike 2019, airport security staff are enduring the government shutdown with stronger pay and benefits. Despite unpaid weeks and growing airport delays, improved compensation under the last administration’s reforms has boosted morale and retention across the agency’s 60,000-strong workforce.

Elad Gil Maps AI’s Next Frontier – Investor Elad Gil says key AI markets like foundational models and AI coding tools now have clear leaders (OpenAI, Anthropic and Cursor among them), while fintech, AI security, and accounting remain wide open. He warns fast enterprise adoption often gives false signals before true winners emerge.

Lambda, Microsoft Expand AI Infrastructure Pact – Nvidia-backed Lambda signed a multibillion-dollar deal with Microsoft to deploy tens of thousands of Nvidia GPUs. The partnership deepens an 8y relationship as both companies race to scale AI supercomputers amid surging cloud demand and rival megadeals.

Anthropic Eyes $70B Revenue Surge by 2028 – Anthropic projects $70B in revenue and $17B in cash flow by 2028, driven by enterprise demand for its Claude AI suite. With $3.8B in 2025 revenue and fast adoption across Microsoft, Salesforce, and Deloitte, the startup could hit $400B valuation amid soaring AI market competition.

Stepping into a workplace where AI tools are part of daily life can feel like walking onto a new planet. But here’s the truth: you don’t have to fear the change—you can master it. As some of the most adaptable professionals in the room, your mindset matters more than your title or experience.

Start by recognizing a key fact: most organizations believe they’re investing in AI, yet only 1% say they’re mature in using it. That means many companies still need people who understand, shape, and guide AI tools—not just follow them. You’re in a sweet spot: if you commit to learning how AI workflows work (and how to ask good questions of them), you’ll be doing the kind of work fewer professionals are equipped for.

Pressure is real—some entry-level roles are already shrinking or transforming as AI automates basic tasks. But that’s also your opening. If you lean into the tools, you can move from doing repetitive tasks to owning more creative, strategic, and high‑impact work. Leaders at organizations are noticing when employees can say, “Here’s the AI output—and here’s where I added value.” That framing separates you.

Still, knowing tech isn’t enough. You’ll also need the human skills that AI can’t replicate: critical thinking, ethical judgment, sense‑making in ambiguity. These ‘soft but sharp’ skills are what anchor your place in an AI‑energised workplace. In the end, treat AI not as your competitor—but as your amplifier.

So, as you move forward, remember this: the future isn’t about humans versus machines—it’s about humans with machines. Your creativity, ethics, and energy are still the most valuable assets in any workplace. AI may speed things up, but only you can bring meaning, connection, and vision to the work you do. Don’t fear the shift—become the kind of professional who shapes it.

Actionable Insights

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years ago, Coca-Cola was invented in an Atlanta pharmacy—originally marketed as a medicinal tonic before becoming the world’s most recognized beverage brand.