MBD105: What is AI Operations?

17 August 2025 | Issue #105

In this issue:

AI Operations: The Job of the Future?
Calendly -> TidyCal
The Most Important Question in Strategy
Why the phrase “AI won’t take your job, but someone using AI will” is meaningless
Stop Applying. Start Attracting: The LinkedIn Reverse Job Hunt
Free shipping on The Visual Marketer
Design Quote of the Week

**Midjourney prompt:** a woman is writing on a white board. There are many diagrams and drawings of little robot heads on the white board. A vibrant, high-contrast illustration using flat vector-style shading with neon and duotone color blocking. The characters are stylized with exaggerated lighting in magenta and cyan tones, set against a yellow background. There’s a strong use of shadow and highlight to create depth without using gradients. It uses clean lines and a minimal background to keep focus on the figures and objects. --ar 16:9

AI Operations: The Job of the Future?

Whenever I'm asked which jobs will be impacted the most by AI, I give the same answer: Any job that requires a keyboard is at risk of being disrupted by AI.

As my kids get older and they start to think about what they want to do with their lives, it's impossible to plan right now. I'm glad my kids have a little time to figure out where the chips will fall over the next couple of years.

I feel bad for the kids who are soon graduating with a pile of debt and a useless piece of paper because the world changed while they were studying the old world.

So, What Are the New Jobs?

This is the natural next question. There's a ton of scary talk about job elimination, but not a ton of talk about what will replace those jobs.

In some ways, history tells us that new technology creates new jobs. For example, in 1900, roughly 40% of the US population lived on farms. Through the years, technology has eliminated many of these agricultural jobs. And at the same time, technology has created millions of new roles since then.

I bet there weren't a ton of SEO specialists in 1900. My most recent job (Director of Digital Experience) didn't exist when I was an undergrad.

So the question we're trying to answer for our kids (and ourselves) is what jobs will be needed 8-12 years from now?

Eric Cheng, co-founder of jobright.ai, recent shared a podcast that introduced (to me) the concept of AI Operations.

What is AI Operations?

AI Operations isn't a person who handles the day-to-day execution work. This person redesigns processes to be more effective.

Some of you probably already do this on your own. I know I'm constantly trying to find ways to use AI to reduce the time it takes for some mundane tasks.

The main skills necessary for this role are a deep understanding of the business workflows, and understanding how AI can be used.

AI Operations in Action

Last week was really hot here in the northeast. Our AC stopped working one night, much to the displeasure of my wife and kids. I used ChatGPT to help me diagnose the problem. It gave me troubleshooting options to determine the actual problem. Once I figured out the issue, it gave me the process and tools I'd need to get it fixed.

Since I've never opened up my AC unit, I double checked with an electrician friend. He said the process sounded good. I was able to buy a $30 part and fix the issue myself. It would have cost me $500 or more to get an HVAC specialist to come out, evaluate, and fix the issue.

BTW, I also coach this electrician to use AI to help run his business. He's finding ways to streamline his quoting process, scheduling, and billing.

I didn't know this was called AI Operations, but it appears to be something I'm already doing. Want to learn more? Let's chat.

TOOLS

Last year, I switched from Calendly to TidyCal, and it's one of the best decisions I made for my business. Instead of paying Calendly every month, I paid a one-time price to get lifetime access to TidyCal. It ties into my calendars and my video conferencing systems. It's all automated at this point.

TidyCal books appointments, sends reminders, and has all of the info I need to manage my calendar. Highly recommended!

NEWS AT THE INTERSECTION OF MARKETING, DESIGN, & AI

🧭 The Most Important Question in Strategy

On Playing to Win: Practitioner Insight, Tiffani Bova and Roger Martin unpack what he calls the most important strategic question: “What would have to be true for this to be a good idea?” Rather than getting stuck in current realities or conflicting data, this question reframes strategy around future possibilities and aligns teams on logic before diving into facts.

From “what is” to “what could be”: Focusing only on today’s truths limits innovation. Instead, defining what would have to be true unlocks creativity and strategic clarity.
Alignment through logic, not data: By mapping assumptions first, leaders avoid endless debates and can see when goals and resources no longer match.
My Take: This is one of those deceptively simple questions that can move things forward. It gets everyone on the same page when people aren't working under the same assumptions.

Watch now

💥 Why the phrase “AI won’t take your job, but someone using AI will” is meaningless

Tim Hughes uses Sangeet Paul Choudary’s “Maginot Line” metaphor to argue that most companies misunderstand AI’s impact. Instead of asking if AI will replace jobs, leaders should recognize that AI is reshaping the entire system of work — much like blitzkrieg redefined warfare by coordinating existing tools in new ways. Treating AI as just a tool for local efficiency misses its true potential for systemic transformation.

Maginot Line thinking: Many businesses “fortify” old workflows by plugging AI into isolated processes, rather than rethinking how work is organized.
System over tasks: The winners will redesign the architecture of work so AI drives adaptability, speed, and real-time coordination — not just automation.
My take: Adding AI to current workflows won't have a big enough impact if the old decision frameworks are still in place.

Keep reading

🛑 Stop Applying. Start Attracting: The LinkedIn Reverse Job Hunt

Richard Bliss and Phil Yanov are hosting a live, one-hour session to help job seekers treat LinkedIn like a high-powered sales campaign rather than a traditional application process. The training covers how to build a compelling digital narrative, use proven sales connection strategies to reach decision-makers, and position yourself to attract opportunities instead of chasing them.

My Take: I've heard Richard speak on this topic before. There's a reason why he's a top expert on LinkedIn ... on LinkedIn
Tuesday, August 19th, 10am ET

Learn more

THE VISUAL MARKETER

Since CEX was a major inspiration for my book, and the event is just a week away, I'm offering free shipping if you buy The Visual Marketer (paperback) from my site.

Use promo code: CUXGY5QQ

RECENT AND UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS

I'm looking forward to seeing friends at the Content Entrepreneur Expo in Cleveland next week. This will be my 4th CEX, and I can't wait to catch up with the folks who inspired me to write The Visual Marketer. Plus, I'll be part of the Author Alley, where I'll do a book signing session!

If you're looking for podcast guests, or want to collaborate on something, shoot me a DM.

DESIGN QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Design creates culture. Culture shapes values. Values determine the future.” – Robert L. Peters

My AI disclaimer: I write the main story. For the news section, AI writes the summary, and then I contribute My Thoughts. If AI generates the images, I include the prompt so you can see how I got to that image.