Are you using AI or are you literally dead weight?
This won’t exactly come as news but a lot of people are using AI at work.
The other week I went for coffee with a founder who had just raised some money and wanted to see if we could work together. Exactly 30 minutes before our conversation, I received an email reminder notifying me that everything I said would be “recorded, transcribed, and summarized” and ending with wishing me “a productive meeting.”
This won’t exactly come as news but a lot of people are using AI at work. Some are using it a little too much, and others (apparently anyone at Shopify) are not using it nearly enough. And while almost all companies are investing in it, a growing number of interactions like these tell me that some people are completely missing the point.
For every person that’s unlocked huge efficiencies by using company-approved AI tools for tasks while following guidelines for data privacy and security, there’s at least one that has renounced all critical thinking to a chatbot, is uploading sensitive firm information to that chatbot, and presenting work that hasn’t been properly checked.
This is not a technology newsletter, but also how can it not be? Everyone around us is trying to figure out how to level up their personal tech stack, even those who work at huge companies with great AI tools (75% of the workforce at Manulife is using the company’s in-house chatbot, for instance) and clear instructions on how to use them.
If you have a perspective on AI at work, I’d love to hear it. As for programming over the coming weeks, I have some great interviews lined up and I hope you stick around.
NEWS:
The Bank of Canada held interest rates after seven consecutive cuts. Since nobody knows what’s going on anymore central bankers are just waiting it out.
Really looking forward to watching federal party leaders speak French tonight. The start time of the French debate was moved up by two hours to 6 p.m. after Jagmeet Singh and Yves-François Blanche complained that it would compete with the Canadiens v. Hurricanes game at 7 p.m. (was surprised to see this request did not come from Big Hockey Fan Mark Carney). Most Canadians plan to watch at least one debate and sentiment is shifting quickly. I recommend
’s newsletter if you’re interested in keeping up with the polls.The English debate (here’s a live link) is scheduled for tomorrow at 7 p.m.
The Green Party has been removed after reducing its number of candidates.
Wine consumption fell to its lowest level in more than 60 years. If anyone can get me to Sardinia in July I can fix this.
Hermès is now the world’s most valuable luxury company. The sector is hurting but demand for the brand’s “leather goods and saddlery division” (read: Birkins and Kellys) is up 21.5%. The category accounts for nearly half of revenue.
MEC found a potential buyer but unfortunately we’re not sure who it is.
The majority of Coachella attendees used a payment plan to buy their tickets. Festival-goes have had the option of buying now, paying later since 2009, when the aftermath of the financial crisis left planners looking for ways to protect against slowing sales. That year, 18% of tickets were sold under this kind of payment plan, compared to 60% for GA attendees this year. BNPL giants like Klarna, Affirm, Afterpay, and Sezzle have become fixtures at checkouts but can leave those who use their services financially worse off. If people are truly putting even Chipotle burritos on layaway, we’re arrived in a weird place.
Bike lanes are back in court today. The provincial government is pushing to remove the bike lanes on Bloor, University and Yonge.
Australia’s Prime Minister stands with Found Coffee. The federal food inspection agency ordered the Australian-themed coffee chain to pull $8,000 of Vegemite from its shelves because it contains added vitamin B and folic acid.
The “Le Creuset Lovers” group on Facebook has 97,000 members.
Jacobs & Co. has been teasing a move to CIBC Square. Fewer people are ordering $100 steaks than five years ago so restaurants are investing heavily into ambiance and well-rounded menus. It’ll be just 200m away from the revamped Harbour 60 and 900m from the new-ish Black + Blue. Reservations open April 22.
A rise in megayacht deliveries is driving demand for crew members. Young people are leaving office life to work on boats, but these jobs are harder than they look on Below Deck: “Staff are on call 24 hours a day. Meals are expected to be Michelin-level. Everyone, at all times, must be cheery, professional and discreet.”
Excellent article.