AI Is Your Coworker. HR Has Questions.
Your boss’s boss called the company AI bot into their office. It’s not fired, but it’s time for a chat.
While it’s shown great potential, AI has also dragged down productivity and upended hiring processes. One reason? AI-generated “workslop” — computer-made content that looks good but lacks substance. Add confusion over how employees should use these tools, and work has turned into a time suck, with AI-assisted tasks taking up to 20% longer than without them.
If AI were sentient, it might be stress-eating granola bars in the break room right now. But plot twist: Companies don’t seem to care about the mess it’s created. Despite the so-called “AI tax” on time, businesses are still pouring money into the tech like it’s a foosball sale at the height of the tech bro era.
Welcome to the messy middle: AI is already your coworker, but no one has explained how to work with it without creating more drafts, more revisions, and more Slack messages that start with “quick question.”
So what now?
Learn how to use AI. Start with free upskilling virtual workshops, certificate programs, or courses that teach practical, job-relevant skills.
Figure out how to talk about it. Men use AI at work more than women, widening another gender gap we don’t need. Knowing when and how to use this tech matters.
Focus on “AI-proof skills” because they’re becoming a major resume flex.
— Anna “You Know, I’ll Just Do This Myself,” Davies, writer
Read More
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No Homes for Wall Street
Last week, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at blocking institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes. The goal: make it more affordable for people (not corporations) to buy houses.
Why are investors buying homes anyway? Large investors have deep pockets and can offer all-cash, above-asking bids. Then they turn around and rent those homes. That shuts out everyday buyers and puts upward pressure on prices. It’s a practice that’s drawn criticism from both parties for years.
So… will homes actually get cheaper? It’s complicated. Even before this order, institutional investors made up a relatively small share of total home purchases nationally, though their presence can be much more pronounced in certain metros and Sun Belt markets. The US still has a housing shortage, especially of entry-level and mid-priced homes. On top of that, higher mortgage rates have locked many homeowners in place.
Also… This doesn’t address zoning laws, construction costs, or the lack of new housing supply, which are all major drivers of affordability. Policy that limits demand without increasing supply can only go so far.
What can I do? Keep looking, and don’t stress too much about short-term policy shifts. Mortgage rates are currently at a three-year low relative to recent peaks, and lenders are increasingly looking beyond just credit scores to see your full financial picture, including income stability and debt patterns. If you’re flexible, expand your search radius, consider new-build incentives, or shop during slower seasons (late fall/winter) — all of which can matter more than Washington headlines.
A recent survey named the top grocery chain in America. It was:
TOGETHER WITH NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL
Your closet isn’t the only thing in need of a January purge. The beginning of the year is the perfect time to declutter your finances with a values-first plan. So…what does that mean exactly? Think of it as a new start to prioritize what matters most to you.
That’s where a Northwestern Mutual financial professional steps in. They’ll help you zero in on what matters with questions like: “Is a new home in your future?” “What do you want to fund for your kids?” “And what does retirement look like for you?”
These conversations help you build a financial plan that reflects what (and who) you care about, while growing and protecting your money. They also help spot common financial blind spots, from forgotten subscriptions to any long-term gaps. Psst…their New Year’s Financial Checklist and Simple Resolutions can help you start habits that future-you will brag about.
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Have a money question you want us to answer? Email us at money@theskimm.com.
Written by Anna Davies; edited by Jordan Galloway; fact-checked by Jordan Mamone and Sara Tardiff.
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