Inside my conversation with Maria Weaver, an AI learning & development leader, about which tools to use, the difference between workflows and agents, and one workflow you can steal this week
This was such a great interview, Ashley! Thanks for sharing and thanks so much Maria for your perspective. I do think that AI helps accelerate tasks and provides ways to devote time to more important things, like deepening relationships, and talking through ideas.
Where I am concerned, though, is the disappearance of entry-level jobs because of AI. Obviously this newsletter is targeted toward people who are looking to get to the VP level, but I do think it’s worth mentioning that we are facing a a frightening cultural shift where college graduates won’t be able to get into the workforce as easily. Hannah Horvath recently wrote about this, and I’ve been sharing it with everyone:
Thank you for sharing this. I have been keeping up with the data. It reminds me of when I graduated in '08 when entry level unemployment was ~10%. The fact that we could be headed towards levels of unemployment at that rate (or higher) IS scary.
The reason I wanted to highlight Maria is that I'm seeing lots of bright spots in my day to day that indicate to me that people are hard at work on solutions, unfortunately these are headlines that just aren't as sexy as the others:
- Many of my clients are *still* hiring entry level roles
- A former client of mine started a really cool company named Prentix, an apprenticeship program for youth that gives them agency over the paths they will pursue and the skills they need to get them - it's gaining lots of traction: https://www.linkedin.com/company/prentixlearning/
And there's more that I can't get into! I do agree there will be a shift, jobs will be different, expectations for workers will be different too. I think many people are right about flagging the current problem and putting words to how unsettling change feels. Because of where I'm situated (and who I am lucky enough to work with!) I am seeing firsthand how many people are invested in solution finding, we just aren't hearing from them yet. And for every 1 person I encounter that is finding a way to tackle this issue, I am hopeful that there are 10 more.
- AI providers downplaying the impact of AI on the job market
- AI providers overstating what the impact of AI will be on work - they have to paint a certain picture to bolster investor confidence.
I think looking at data is good but I’m always asking what’s the presenter’s goal?
Both of the points above are why I am not leaning into sharing anything that feels too speculative, I can have a positive impact by highlighting voices that are doing good work.
This was such a great interview, Ashley! Thanks for sharing and thanks so much Maria for your perspective. I do think that AI helps accelerate tasks and provides ways to devote time to more important things, like deepening relationships, and talking through ideas.
Where I am concerned, though, is the disappearance of entry-level jobs because of AI. Obviously this newsletter is targeted toward people who are looking to get to the VP level, but I do think it’s worth mentioning that we are facing a a frightening cultural shift where college graduates won’t be able to get into the workforce as easily. Hannah Horvath recently wrote about this, and I’ve been sharing it with everyone:
https://yourbrainonmoney.substack.com/p/economy-booming-not-for-you
Thank you for sharing this. I have been keeping up with the data. It reminds me of when I graduated in '08 when entry level unemployment was ~10%. The fact that we could be headed towards levels of unemployment at that rate (or higher) IS scary.
The reason I wanted to highlight Maria is that I'm seeing lots of bright spots in my day to day that indicate to me that people are hard at work on solutions, unfortunately these are headlines that just aren't as sexy as the others:
- Many of my clients are *still* hiring entry level roles
- A former client of mine started a really cool company named Prentix, an apprenticeship program for youth that gives them agency over the paths they will pursue and the skills they need to get them - it's gaining lots of traction: https://www.linkedin.com/company/prentixlearning/
- PWC is training entry level accountants to manage AI agents - they're in the middle of re-envisioning entry level roles https://www.businessinsider.com/pwc-ai-training-changing-the-job-accountants-jenn-kosar-2025-8
And there's more that I can't get into! I do agree there will be a shift, jobs will be different, expectations for workers will be different too. I think many people are right about flagging the current problem and putting words to how unsettling change feels. Because of where I'm situated (and who I am lucky enough to work with!) I am seeing firsthand how many people are invested in solution finding, we just aren't hearing from them yet. And for every 1 person I encounter that is finding a way to tackle this issue, I am hopeful that there are 10 more.
For sure, that's all great to hear!
And per Antropic there's no massive shift yet, but it feels a little like Big Wine telling me I should have a glass of wine with dinner every night.
https://www.anthropic.com/research/labor-market-impacts
😂 I’m skeptical of two things:
- AI providers downplaying the impact of AI on the job market
- AI providers overstating what the impact of AI will be on work - they have to paint a certain picture to bolster investor confidence.
I think looking at data is good but I’m always asking what’s the presenter’s goal?
Both of the points above are why I am not leaning into sharing anything that feels too speculative, I can have a positive impact by highlighting voices that are doing good work.