🗂️AI is now your office MVP
👋 Welcome! Today, we’re covering range of topics from Snap’s new AI & AR combo to how AI can push and pull productivity. Get ready for a full spectrum of insights that will keep you informed and engaged!
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AI & TECH
Snap boosts AR with AI – Snap has introduced new tools designed to democratize the creation of augmented reality (AR) lenses. The tools enable users of all skill levels to design and deploy AR experiences, expanding AR content creation beyond professional developers.
Radiologists embrace AI – Radiologists are turning to AI like ChatGPT for tasks such as note-taking and messaging, freeing up time for diagnostics. It shows AI augmenting (not replacing) healthcare professionals.
Palantir CEO’s warning on AI race – Palantir CEO Alex Karp warns that the U.S. must lead in AI development to prevent China from gaining a technological edge. He criticizes proposals for a 10-year moratorium on state-level AI regulation, calling them overly simplistic.
Industry tipping points in AI – AI+ Summit in NYC signals AI adoption nearing “tipping points” in sectors like software, healthcare, and government, despite weak regulatory frameworks. Fast AI adoption is outpacing governance readiness.
CAREER & WORK
Alphabet's hiring plans – Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai announces that the company will continue to expand its engineering workforce despite significant investments in AI. Pichai emphasizes that AI serves as a tool to enhance productivity, not a replacement for human jobs. This contradicts fears of AI-induced job losses, suggesting a collaborative future between AI and human workers.
Advice for young professionals – Career coach Patrice Williams-Lindo, with over two decades at firms like Deloitte and KPMG, advises young professionals to craft impact-driven résumés, intentionally build their reputations, become go-to team members, and customize work habits for peak productivity.
Overworked and tired– A viral Reddit post details an employee's firing after refusing a 16-hour shift, sparking discussions on workplace boundaries.
ECONOMY & FINANCE
AI ETF launches – A new AI-focused exchange-traded fund hits the market, bundling top-performing tech companies into one investment vehicle—giving retail investors a way to ride the AI wave without betting on a single stock.
Tariffs will stoke inflation – BlackRock’s CEO warned that new tariffs risk raising consumer prices and slowing growth, especially if retaliatory actions unfold. Rising inflation eats into wages and could delay interest rate cuts.
Dollar dips on a diet of doubt – The U.S. dollar slipped against major currencies as weak economic data and lingering trade uncertainties dampened investor sentiment and raised concerns about slowing global growth.
VC & INVESTMENTS
Amazon’s $10B AI bet – Amazon commits $10B to North Carolina AI data centers to fuel its infrastructure expansion and boost local tech jobs.
Anduril raises $2.5B – Defense tech startup Anduril has secured $2.5 billion in funding, doubling its valuation to $30.5 billion. The round was led by Founders Fund, with significant participation from other investors.
Rise of AI infrastructures? – Thread AI, a New York-based startup, secured $20M in Series A funding to scale its composable AI infrastructure—enabling enterprises to build modular, flexible AI systems for faster deployment and customization across industries.
BIG THINK
Automation Nation: How AI’s Running Your Desk
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping workplace workflows, offering tools that automate routine tasks and enhance productivity. For instance, a recent UK government study found that civil servants using Microsoft’s Copilot saved 26 minutes per day on average, largely through help drafting documents, summarizing meetings, and answering emails. Over a year, that's equivalent to two full weeks of saved time per employee.
In the private sector, JPMorgan Chase has rolled out a proprietary generative AI platform to over 200,000 employees. The bank reports that these tools have helped boost internal efficiencies, including reducing consumer banking service costs by nearly 30%. AI is being used to accelerate document review, generate content, and automate customer interactions at scale.
But these gains are not without costs. As reported by The Washington Post, a cooling U.S. economy combined with the rapid adoption of AI is placing pressure on jobs—particularly for entry-level and administrative roles. Economists warn that AI’s increasing ability to automate knowledge work could lead to layoffs masked as “efficiency gains.”
Even Copilot, while helpful, has limitations. A Barron’s breakdown of the UK study noted that AI struggled with sensitive or context-heavy tasks, and its performance varied significantly depending on the user’s experience level and the complexity of the assignment. Humans are still needed to review, refine, and make judgment calls.
Still, companies are charging ahead. ServiceNow has launched AI agents designed to assist employees by taking over routine support cases, and claims that their deployment has reduced average case resolution times by 52%. These agents are expected to evolve into fully autonomous digital coworkers.
Actionable Insights:
Balance automation with human oversight: Use AI tools for high-volume, repetitive tasks, but retain human judgment for nuanced decisions and stakeholder communication.
Upskill the workforce continuously: Train employees to adapt and work alongside AI, not just to use tools, but to guide them responsibly and productively.
JOBS
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* Startups have a 🚀 next to them. Many startup jobs are equity only so look closely.
🚀 Front End Developer | Part Time | Year-round | Virtual, Hybrid
🚀 Head of Marketing | Part Time | Year-round | Virtual, Hybrid
Summer Associate | Internship | Summer | San Francisco, CA
THE NUMBER:
430 ppm
average atmospheric CO₂ levels in May, setting a new record, as reported by the Mauna Loa Observatory.
WISDOM
“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”