Surviving AI: Transform Your Execution Skills into Strategy

07 July 2024 | Issue #55

In this issue:

It's time to plan for the future
You are helping Figma replace you
3D printing, legos, Dall-E 3
AI can't replace '90s alt-rock bands
Design is more than design tools

**Midjourney Prompt**: a group of people are having a strategy session in a conference room. The style should be cartoony. High Angle Shot. The art style should look like a brighter version of Adam Hughes. Use #16203e for the shadows. Use bright colors like Yellow: #fdfcc8, pink: #f86786, and blue: #7ee1ec for the rest. Angled lighting would be great. --ar 16:9

Execution ➡ Strategy

As a former employer of mine used to say, “Execution is everything.” Unfortunately, execution is becoming commoditized, and its value is declining hourly. So, where does that leave those who do the execution work?

Execution across many creative fields is going to be turned over to AI. Writing, design, and development will all become much more streamlined. This will reduce the number of people working on those tasks, reducing company costs.

I read a newsletter the other day about future AI agents that can write code using everyday writing prompts. At last week’s Config conference, Figma, the leader in UI design tools, introduced new AI capabilities to streamline the design process. Adobe has had generative AI built-in for a while. Microsoft Word now has the option to add Copilot to write and edit content.

Microsoft is calling this “Amplified creativity.” 😬

All of these fields are going to shrink as companies need fewer people to do this work. Some CEOs are bragging about letting people go because AI can do their jobs. I’m sure you’re feeling the pressure if you're in these fields.

So, how do you adapt?

You have transferrable skills, skills that can take you from the execution layer to the strategy layer. Have you identified those skills? If so, what are you doing to move your career in that direction?

If you’re a designer, have you thought about user experience? Figma’s new AI functionality will reduce the need for many user interface designers. If you’re a writer, how much time do you spend crafting messaging or go-to-market strategy? ChatGPT can write all your copy, but someone has to tell it what to write. Developers should be looking at the larger-picture web or product strategy. You already know how something can be built. Now, take the time to help craft what should be built.

The secret is to find aspects of your skillset that you can apply to other jobs that are at less risk of being outsourced to AI.

Companies are always looking to reduce costs to increase profits. “Reducing costs” is Latin for layoffs. What are you doing to put yourself in the position to be seen as someone who must be kept?

Hit reply and let me know.

NEWS AT THE INTERSECTION OF MARKETING, DESIGN, & AI

☠️ You're helping Figma put you out of a job

Figma's big AI announcement came with a surprise: It wouldn't cost any extra. Figma said it is "eating the cost."

But did you know that Figma is training its LLM based on your usage?

Follow these steps to prevent Figma from teaching a bot how you do your job.

🧱 Robot Printer Creates Pixel Art with LEGO Bricks Using DALL-E 3

Designboom showcases an innovative project where a robot printer, using OpenAI’s DALL-E 3 and LEGO bricks, creates intricate pixel art, highlighting the creative potential of combining AI and robotics.

• Automated Creativity: The robot printer translates DALL-E 3’s AI-generated images into physical LEGO pixel art, demonstrating the seamless integration of digital and physical creativity.

• Educational Potential: This project, built with LEGO Mindstorms, not only showcases artistic capabilities but also serves as an educational tool, inspiring creativity and technical skills among enthusiasts and students.

Keep reading

🎶 Maybe AI isn't coming for all jobs

"AI is coming for your jobs." I'd like to see AI take a Southwest flight with 3 layovers to open for Hoobastank at a county fair — The one account from X that I miss.

NEW RESOURCES FOR YOU

33%

That's the number of designers with "Open to Work" on their LinkedIn profile who reacted to a comment I made on a shared article.

In the community article, Graphic Design is Easy and Anyone Can Do It, I made the following comment:

This resonated with a bunch of people because of the reasons I listed in the intro to this issue: Designers are more than just people who use design tools. These are two different skill sets that are often conflated.

The scary thing is there are so many designers looking for work because businesses don't see the value designers bring. It's a lot more than "make it pretty."

Designers who want to stay in design must find ways to demonstrate they do much more than move objects around on a canvas. I'll be writing more about this in the future.