AI Isn’t a Bubble. It’s a Board Reset.

The power shift is already happening and most people are still asking the wrong question.

“AI is a bubble.”
That’s what people say when they’re terrified by big numbers and even bigger charts.
But this isn’t meme-stock froth. It’s a technological land grab so aggressive, it’s basically imperialism powered by the big corporates.

AI isn’t a hype cycle. It’s a reset.
The rules are being rewritten by companies that already own the pieces: Microsoft, Google, Nvidia, Meta, Amazon.

They have the compute, data, scale, and distribution. Everyone else? They’re just playing on someone else’s turf and paying rent to do it.

The takeaway?
This isn’t about chasing shiny new toys. It’s about understanding that AI is the next electricity.
And sitting out because it feels “too late” might be the most expensive decision you never make.

Stay frosty! 

This 10-Minute Hack Finally Fixed My Messy Desktop

A Simple Trick to Boost Your Desktop Workflow (And Sanity)

If like me, you spend most of your week juggling CVs, job briefs, folios, client assets and more you probably know the feeling…

That full on chaos on your desktop!

It starts with one new doc you don’t have time to file. Then another. By midweek, your screen looks like a digital dumping ground.

I've been there and I finally found a low-effort fix that actually works.

Try This: The _TO SORT Folder System

Instead of trying to perfectly organise files as I go, I created one folder on my desktop called _TO SORT.

It’s my personal “dumping ground with a purpose.”

Anything I’m too busy to deal with — from briefs to notes to PDFs — just gets dragged in there. No second-guessing. No distractions.

The beauty? I don’t have to stop to think, “Where should this go?”

Then, I Clean It Once a Week

Every Friday afternoon, I open that folder and take 5–10 minutes to clean it out. By that point, I know:

• What’s important

• What’s outdated

• And where everything belongs

It’s a reset ritual that clears my digital head before the weekend — and it’s surprisingly satisfying.

Want to Add a Bit of AI? Use These Smart Prompts

Here are a few AI prompts I keep in my notes that speed things up during clean-up:

🗂️ 1. “Sort This List of Files Into Folder Categories”

“Can you organise these filenames into folder groups for me? Here's the list…”

Just paste in your filenames, and you’ll get a neat sorting structure in seconds.

📝 2. “Summarise This Document Before I Archive It”

“Summarise this Word or PDF doc in 2 lines so I know whether to keep or delete it.”

Perfect for old meeting notes or duplicate versions.

🔄 3. “Rename This File for Clarity”

“This filename is a mess. What’s a clearer, scannable version I can use?”

Keeps your folders readable and fast to scan.

Why It Works (Without Making More Work)

This tiny system gives you:

• A fast mental offload zone (no guilt, no pressure)

• A weekly review habit that prevents build-up

• A smoother start to Monday because you know where everything is

No need to set up complicated rules, filters, or automations. It’s just one small shift and it’s changed how I work and never gets messy! 

Want to Try It?

✅ Create a folder on your desktop
✅ Call it _TO SORT
✅ Drag anything into it during the week
✅ Set a 10-minute Friday reminder to clear it out
✅ Bonus: Ask ChatGPT to help you sort or label anything confusing

It’s not fancy. But it’s quick and easy to set up. And sometimes, that’s what actually works!

— Dean

The Human Skills That Still Matter in an AI World (And Why They Might Matter More Than Ever)

You’ve heard it everywhere: 'AI is coming for your job'.

The truth? It is already here and mass displacement is happening not seen since the coal mines were closed in the the UK between 1980 and 1994. During this period, over 200,000 miners lost their jobs (a 90 % reduction in the industry's workforce). This also lead to widespread displacement within the affected communities. 

That said, not everything can be automated by AI - and IMO not everything should be.

If you want to stay relevant, trusted, and valuable, you need to develop and enhance the skills AI can’t replicate.

Here’s what those are and why they matter more now than ever. 

Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

AI can analyse data but it can’t feel a pause in someone’s voice with instinct. It can’t sense when a meeting goes cold or when someone’s just not okay.

EQ is the glue of teams, leadership, and trust. It’s not “soft.” It’s strategic.

Strategic Thinking

AI can give you options. It can forecast scenarios. But it won’t choose your path.

That’s where human judgment comes in: weighing nuance, reading risk, and making the call.

Strategic thinking isn’t about being a genius, it’s about clarity under complexity.

 

Adaptability

You’ve heard of confidence. But adaptability? That’s what will keep you in the game.

In a world where tech is moving faster than job descriptions can keep up, your ability to learn, adjust, and evolve is the most underrated superpower.

 

Trust + Connection

Here’s the thing about trust it’s invisible, but you feel it. You’ve walked into meetings and instantly liked someone, right? Not because of what they said. Just… something about them.

That’s connection. That’s trust. And no AI, no matter how life like, can replicate that.

Curiosity

AI can give you answers. But curiosity is the fuel to asks more questions. Curious people stay relevant. They explore. They don’t wait to be taught, they figure things out. In the next decade, it won’t be your qualifications that future-proof you. It’ll be your curiosity.

Final thought:

We don’t win by beating the machines in a Terminator style movie. We win by being more human in the way that at times, not many people valued, more aware, more adaptable, more emotionally in tune.

Those aren’t soft skills.

They’re the hard skills of the future.

➡️ If you’re building a career that lasts, follow the series on emotional intelligence, strategy, and mindset (link in bio).

Social Media Tools

Below is a list of tools that I use to help with my day job - you might find some handy. Most of these have free plans, with a few premium upgrades available. No links are affiliate.

🎨 Creating Social Media Images

• Canva – UK‑based and still tops the list for templates and easy branding. Free/Paid.
  https://www.canva.com/

• PicMonkey – Simple browser‑based editing with essential tools. Free/Paid.
  https://www.picmonkey.com/

📅 Scheduling & Managing Social Media

• Buffer – UK access with a free plan and £6/month per channel premium option.
  https://buffer.com/

• Sendible – Made with agencies in mind; £29/month with 14‑day free trial.
  https://sendible.com/

• SocialBee – Great for automation, AI‑powered posting and post‑category rotation.
  https://socialbee.io/

✉️ Email Marketing

• Mailchimp – Still the go‑to for starters; free up to 500 contacts.
  https://mailchimp.com/

• ConvertKit – Used by many UK creators and bloggers for email funnels and content tagging. Paid.
  https://convertkit.com/

🛬 Landing Pages

• LeadPages – Still robust; UK‑complaint on GDPR. Paid.
  https://www.leadpages.com/

✍️ Email Signatures

• WiseStamp – Create professional email signatures, free plan available.
  https://www.wisestamp.com/

🎤 Webinars & Video Calls

• Zoom – Free for one‑on‑one sessions and UK‑friendly paid tiers.
  https://zoom.us/

• GoToWebinar – 7‑day trial, paid after that. Well suited for large webinars.
  https://www.goto.com/webinar

📊 Surveys & Market Research

• SurveyMonkey – Industry standard, UK server options, free plan available.
  https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/

• AnswerThePublic – Repeated here for its value in understanding market queries.
  https://answerthepublic.com/

🎥 Screen Grab & Annotation

• Snagit – Paid but outstanding for annotated screenshots, UK pricing.
  https://www.techsmith.com/screen-capture.html

🎓 Hosting Courses & Memberships

• Thinkific – Free up to 3 courses; used widely by UK educators.
  https://www.thinkific.com/

✨ Here’s to smoother days, cheers! 🍻

I Hate AI-Generated Emails (Here’s the Dead Giveaway)

These days I can spot an AI-generated email a mile off, and I don't like it. Kind of makes me want to tune out and hit delete. Same way when I listen to radio adverts or watch TV adverts. They have zero appeal to me and I feel like my time is being wasted when exposed to them.

Now with emails (and I get a lot) it’s not just the words used but it’s the lack of intent or perceived lack of effort.  

They’re usually:

• Overly formal grammar and bold text used randomly for emphasis
• Over-polished and that classic em dash (—) thrown in like all the time
• Over-polite and underwhelming

My mum was a teacher. My sister’s highly qualified in English Language writing. That’s their bag and I always got them to check my posts before I uploaded them for spelling and grammar, they do use the em dash (—).

So why’s it a turn off for me?
Because it tells me the sender didn’t actually write it.
They outsourced the thinking.
And if you can’t be bothered to write it, why should I be bothered to read an email from a bot?

These links may help you

While we can’t always offer personalised input, we believe in supporting talent:

Below are free, trusted resources you might find helpful in your professional journey:

🔹 Interview Preparation - Linkedin: [https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/a509392]

🔹 Resume Optimization - Google : [https://www.google.com/about/careers/applications/videos/google-resume-tips-and-advice/

🔹 Skill-Building - Corsera: [https://www.coursera.org/courseraplus?utm_medium=sem&utm_source=gg&utm_campaign=b2c_emea_x_coursera_ftcof_courseraplus_cx_dr_bau_gg_sem_bd-ex_gb_en_m_hyb_24-09_x&campaignid=21725850922&adgroupid=351685083790&device=c&keyword=coursera&matchtype=e&network=g&devicemodel=&creativeid=1449957450237&assetgroupid=&targetid=kwd-36262515261&extensionid=&placement=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21725850922&gbraid=0AAAAADdKX6ZADV9ndVuj0idGAJRGQrdGB&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjJrCBhCXARIsAI5x66W8Xz6jfO5D3bV3pSvFBXDceuz_TRgec5Zv90FL5nxY0CamIYtxoe0aAgS8EALw_wcB]

🔹 Career Coaching - Govt: [https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/#:~:text=Speak%20to%20an%20adviser,use%20webchat%20to%20talk%20online.]

Who’s Hacking UK Stores in 2025?

Wondering who’s behind all those cyber hits on big names like M&S, Co-op, and Harrods? Me too! 

1. Ransomware Rebels
I didn’t even know these existed, but Groups like LockBit or ALPHV’s spin-offs. Apparently they ‘love’ holding retail data hostage. Why? Because shops panic and pay up to avoid chaos. Has anyone else ever heard of groups like this before? If not why?

2. Gov-Backed Groups
Spies are real. It seems global they want cash or chaos and just maybe our loyalty card points should come with a warning ⚠️ 

3. AI Scammers
Imagine bots writing phishing emails ‘so good’ day to day office staff click them. That’s 2025’s new nightmare.  

Why retailers?
Apparently our data’s a goldmine. Their outdated supply chains? Full of weak links.  

Stay frosty 🥶 

The Deficit-Inequality Loop: Are the Super-Rich Rigging the System?

You've seen the headlines and maybe watched Gary Stevensons YT channel.

U.K. and U.S. deficits balloon as borrowing surges.  

Billionaire wealth hits record highs while workers' wages flatline.  

Everyone is asking: Are they connected because it seems something isn’t adding up.  

The Smoking Gun: Policy Choices  

Governments now are full of career politicians or consist of wealthy individuals making deliberate decisions turbocharged it:  

- Tax cuts for the wealthy (like Trump's 2017 law and U.K. corporate breaks) shrank public coffers while inflating elite fortunes.  

- Quantitative easing after 2008 and COVID sent stock/real estate prices soaring—great if you own assets, irrelevant if you rely on a paycheck.  

- Austerity programs (remember post-2010 Britain?) slashed social safety nets but left wealth untouched.  

Result? Deficits widen. Inequality explodes.  

The "Invisible Hand" or a Rigged System?  

This isn't conspiracy it's structural bias:  

1. Tax architecture favors capital over labor:  

   - In the U.S., the top 1% pays a lower effective tax rate than the bottom 50%.  

   - Offshore havens hide 7–10 trillion in elite wealth (Tax Justice Network).  

2. Political influence: Lobbyists draft bills, think tanks justify trickle-down myths, and donors ensure policies protect capital.  

3. Asset inflation feedback loops: Cheap debt lets the rich borrow to buy more assets → prices rise → inequality deepens.  

Why This Isn't "Just Economics"  

When deficits balloon, we're told:  

"We must tighten belts cut pensions, schools, healthcare."  

But the wealthiest never face that choice. Their safety net is policy itself.  

Breaking the Cycle  

Change starts by naming the game:  

- Tax wealth, not just work.

- Invest in public goods (education, healthcare) to boost real mobility. Mass grassroots financial education.

- Democracy isn't a luxury good.  

Our Turn  

What shocks you most? That the system allows this or that we've normalised it? Share your thoughts below.  

Share this post if you believe economies should work for people, not portfolios.  

Future-Proof Creative Roles: The Jobs Leading the AI-Driven Design Revolution

The creative industry is undergoing a major AI transformation. The agency I work for specialises in recruiting future-proof talent that blends creativity with cutting-edge technology. As companies race to scale content, streamline production and remain competitive, they need talent who know how to work with AI tools, not against them. I anticipate a surge in demand for hybrid roles that combine traditional skill sets with AI-powered capabilities.

Below are some of the key creative and strategic roles that I predict will be leading the future of work:

🚀 Creative & Design Roles

- AI-Enhanced Visual Designer
Designs branding and visual assets using tools like Midjourney, Firefly and Figma AI.

- Generative Motion Designer
Blends motion graphics with AI animation tools like Runway ML and Pika to produce fast, scalable video content.

- Creative Automation Specialist
Builds automated content pipelines using Zapier, Notion AI, and Canva Magic tools.

- Brand Prompt Engineer
Creates visual and text prompts for consistent brand voice across AI-generated assets.

✍️ Content & Copy Roles

- AI Copy Strategist
Writes copy using ChatGPT, Claude, or Jasper, refining tone, voice, and messaging at scale.

- Content Intelligence Manager
Monitors and optimizes the performance of AI- vs human-generated content.

📈 Project & Strategy Roles

- Creative AI Project Manager
Manages teams and projects where AI plays a role in concepting, execution, and delivery.

- Digital Workflow Architect
Designs creative automation systems integrating Slack, Zapier, Figma, and other AI co-pilots.

🧠 Emerging Roles to Watch

- Chief AI Creativity Officer
Owns the creative direction for companies leaning into AI innovation.

- Synthetic Media Editor
Edits AI-generated voice, video, and avatar content with human finesse.

- Voice & Avatar Designer
Designs synthetic personas for branding, gaming, or content automation.


Final Thoughts
These roles aren’t trends, they’re the next evolution of creative hiring. Whether you’re hiring or job hunting, understanding the intersection between AI and creativity is essential. At Creative, we’re proud to be at the forefront of this shift.

📩 Want help future-proofing your creative team?

Let’s talk.

The Real Cost of AI in Design: A Personal Reflection on Creativity, Freelancers and Efficiency

We recently had a small internal design project come up, something simple that we’d normally outsource to a freelance graphic designer. Instead, we opted to try an AI design tool, specifically Picsart AI. For a one-off monthly sub, we completed the work ourselves very quickly, efficiently and at a fraction of the cost.

From a business productivity standpoint, it made sense. Using this tool was easy and did save time and budget. But I couldn’t help feeling guilty... The work directly went to AI and not the Designer, a real person that is probably relying on that income and I facilitated it. Now multiply this scenario across companies and industries all over...

AI sure is revolutionising workflows and opening up access to tools that were once out of reach and sure I think that’s amazing. But as we move forward, we need to stay conscious of the ethical side of AI. Is it just about what AI can do, or is it about what we lose when we stop choosing people. Is the human worker an endangered species?

This isn’t an anti-AI message. I use it every day and I’m excited by what’s possible. But I believe in responsible AI use and that includes thinking about the humans on the other side of the automation.

Can creativity remain human, even as the tools evolve? What do you think?

AI Isn’t Quiet. We Just Stopped Listening.

People in the media say “AI is quietly moving into our day-to-day lives.”

But I really don't think that's accurate... As an observation, it seems like it’s not quietly moving. It’s sprinting with a view to soon change everything!!!

We now use AI to write emails, plan our lives, design, search online, sell things and even think. AI is in a boom phase fueled by who can get to finish line first as we know there will only be one mainstream super AI brand winner - just look at Googles domination of search, Amazon domination of FMCG, or Apples domination of mobile, because we have history of how this will play out based on the .com boom this 'techbro' billionaire rush is not subtle. It’s not silent. It’s everywhere.

So why as some people not event aware or haven't even used AI yet?

A Tweet from:

Jack Forge

@TheJackForge

·

Follow

Took a few days off from the Internet and realized that normal people don’t even know or care about AI.

9:00 AM · Jun 1, 2025

AI “productivity” as we know it:

• A chatbot that writes your reports.

• An algorithm that interviews job candidates.

• A design tool that creates a full brand identity in 10 seconds.

• A personal assistant that sorts your day while you sip coffee.

Just smooth UX and friendly copywriting. How many times have you recommended it to someone because it simplified or enhanced a part of your role or life?

Some people I know do question it, but online when a AI CEO's talk everyone seems to embrace it even though the interviewer or news reporter must be thinking my job is at risk and my kids who are at school, collage and Uni are really at risk???

Sure, we're not being invaded by UFO's but make no mistake, we’re collaborating with an invader and I really hope it doesn't end up being Terminator coming true!

Daily, I'm watching the job market evolve in real-time. Creativity is getting streamlined, commodified, auto-generated. But we’re not fighting it. We're reposting it. Sharing it. Monetising it. Calling it progress, but I don't call someone calling me in panic for their livelihood progress. I now can spot a LinkedIn AI generated post a mile away... Lazy content anyone. 

We’ve labelled the noise innovation or opportunity. But what's the real story? Tractors displaced farmers. Robots displaced the factory workers and now will AI displace the office worker? How many people does it take to change a light bulb or run a small army of sentient godlike robo agents who are powered on nuclear superconductors?

🛑 So what is being optimised out of us? Creativity, critical thinking, original thought, being human? Maybe all of these? I don't see the fun in reading or watching bots talking to bots....do you?🤖🤖🤖🤖

✍️ Digital Dean – Observations on Tech, Talent, and still the Human Edge 
🔗 Subscribe, Connect, Follow and stay frosty!