After some time off, we’re back for the new year and our first newsletter of 2025.
2022 and 2023 were the years we started exploring tools.
2024 was when started putting them to practice against a wide range of real world projects.
I believe 2025 will be the year professional-grade tool control starts ramping up, and alongside it, larger scale adoption. With that in mind, today’s newsletter will be focused on Ai and the business of design.
01 / TRENDS
Where Are Jobs Trending?
Those of us that have been around for a while know these lists are always changing. Technology tends to be a big driver. As expected Ai is expected to be a significant driver.
Broadening digital access is expected to be the most transformative trend – both across technology-related trends and overall – with 60% of employers expecting it to transform their business by 2030. Advancements in technologies, particularly AI and information processing (86%); robotics and automation (58%); and energy generation, storage and distribution (41%), are also expected to be transformative. These trends are expected to have a divergent effect on jobs, driving both the fastest-growing and fastest-declining roles, and fueling demand for technology-related skills, including AI and big data, networks and cybersecurity and technological literacy, which are anticipated to be the top three fastest growing skills.
Hard to say how accurate these forecasts will be, but from my point of view, Ai is going to be a part of of our creative futures.
Here is the full report if interested.
02 / THOUGHTS
The Importance of Design
I recently read this article penned by my friend Antoine Besseyre des Horts, a seasoned design leader, in an article he penned for the Business Times. There are many great points made but one that really caught my attention was this one:
“Design plays the role of a ‘human counterweight’ in rational and analytical discussions, allowing companies to develop new offerings through the lens of their target-audience-to-be and stay relevant”.
It stuck with me because it’s always been true and I believe it will be even moreso in the age of Ai. Design and designers will play a critical role in balancing out the pendulum.
The full write-up is well worth a read. It’s a topic that’s going to impact every designer and creative in the near future.
03 / TRENDS
Increasing Demand for Ai Skills
I met Drew on Linkedin as we both were exploring Ai in our respective fields. He’s been all-in on Ai exploration. He’s the real deal, treating Ai as a professional tool, not a toy. And investing serious effort into this realm.
This week he announced his new gig, being brought in to a team as head of brand & content.
He’s not the first person I know that this has happened with and it’s likely just the beginning. There is more and more talent showcasing what is possible at a professional-grade.
A trend to keep an eye on.
04 / HIRING
Expanding the AIxC Team
Speaking of the trend above, it’s our turn to bring someone else on board. We’re searching for our next team member as we continue to help the world’s leading organizations understand and adopt Ai into their creative functions.
If this sounds intriguing, you can read the full job posting here.
Thanks for tuning in today and we’ll be back next week.
Happy belated new year!
Hector