AI Hype vs. Customer Needs: The Disconnect in Big Tech's Approach

AI isn't what your customers want - here's what to invest in instead

Big Tech keeps missing this crucial piece in AI innovation. Don't make the same mistake. This is the part of the article where I usually drop a witty line to spark your curiosity or offer a fresh perspective on something intriguing. But today, I'm literally at a loss for words. (If you know me, you know how hard it is to leave me speechless.) Let me explain There I was, minding my own bidness and getting some work done, when I got a Slack notification from Jason (ZD's big boss). 👨💻 He sent me an article about Meta's plans to integrate AI-generated user profiles and content across its social media platforms. Also: Operator isn't worth its $200-per-month ChatGPT Pro subscription yet - here's why His caption: "What do you think about this?" That's corporate talk for, "I'm subtly telling you what to do, and you should write about this..." 🙃 Not gonna lie, I had to check the date because it had to be April 1st. Why would Meta want to generate AI users? It's a social platform. It's not hard to see why I was at a loss for words and momentarily paralyzed by disbelief. To be clear, this article isn't about bashing AI or Meta. Also: No, AI won't revolutionize shopping - but this will For the most part, Meta is an incredible company. Even though they piss me off from time to time, their advertising platform has been essential to what I've built, and for that, I'm grateful. ❤️ If you're wondering what's next in AI and how you should adapt, I got you. Feel free to share this article with a friend who's keeping an eye on AI developments. Before we get into it, I will share a little about myself. The name's Mapp, Lester Mapp, but my friends call me Les. 👋 I'm a founder with a successful exit and currently the Executive Chairman of a group of ecom brands but I'm an award-winning performance marketer at my core, and spotting trends is my thing. If I had to sum up my "marketing superpower," it's two-fold. Also: There's a new king of online shopping, and it's built an unstoppable monopoly First, I've gotten pretty good at spotting trends, so much so that we operate more like a data company than a traditional online business. Second, and more importantly, my real edge comes from connecting the dots between data and what it means for our customers. Our success has come from sitting at the intersection of data and human emotion. That's where we've found the magic of decoding both rather than relying on just one. 🤓 (If you read until the end, I'll share my secret on how we do it) Needless to say, I've got some strong opinions on what I see from Big Tech and AI. If you enjoy marketing and business insights like this, consider joining my free No Fluff Just Facts newsletter. You may be wondering what Big Tech is up to and what this so-called disturbing pattern is. As my little brother would say, "They're doing too much." Each of these breakthroughs has its role in society and contributes to our progress as a species. But it seems like big tech is sidestepping the basics, and we, the people, are an afterthought. 😤 Why is the "next big thing" not focused on We've entered an era where AI is overhyped and overused in some cases. For example, the other day, I was browsing Amazon and stumbled upon an AI toaster, bruh...Seriously? (Ten bucks says a subscription-based toaster is coming next.) 🤭 Ever since AI became the hot topic, companies keep pushing solutions to non-existent problems. It's like pandering, but for tech. They over-complicate and overhype everything while ignoring the fundamentals. Also: 3 lucrative side hustles you can start right now with OpenAI's Sora video generator Don't get me wrong, I love tech. I'm all in on AI. I've gone on record more than once saying that nothing will come between my OpenAI subscription and me. But here's my question: Why isn't Big Tech focusing more on the people they're supposed to serve? 🤨 It's giving out of touch. Spend just two seconds in any comment section, and it's clear more AI isn't what people want. For the foreseeable future, I'm focused on building deeper connections with our customers, no matter what form that takes. Here's why: During the pandemic, we witnessed a wave of innovation aimed at keeping us connected while we were stuck at home. Companies thrived, fortunes were made, and "work-from-home" tech dominated the scene. But what happened as soon as we could step outside again? Experiences skyrocketed! 🚀 Also: ChatGPT Search could destroy online businesses - how you can stay ahead American consumer spending on experiences during the previous 12 months ending on August 31, 2024, has surpassed pre-pandemic levels by an impressive 32% compared to the same period ending January 1, 2019. This shift highlights that people crave real-life connections and experiences over mere transactions. As we move forward, it's clear that authentic engagement with our customers will be key to thriving in this evolving landscape. The team and I are doubling down on media channels that we own, which help us genuinely connect with our customers. 🤗 Here's how we're doing it and how you can benefit from these strategies. Email is an incredibly powerful tool that often goes underappreciated. Did you know that consumers who receive email offers spend 138% more than those who don't? Plus, 88% of email users check their inbox every day, with 39% checking multiple times a day. 📩 Pro Tip: If your emails aren't performing, it's not because email is dead. It might be because your content is boring! Make your emails engaging and fun, as if you're writing to a friend. Capture their attention first, then present your offer. We recently turned $20,291.87 in spend into an impressive $556,314.10 through SMS campaigns. Compared to platforms like Google and Meta, SMS is more cost-effective, with 72% of consumers purchasing after receiving a brand's text.📲 Pro Tip: Remember that SMS cadence differs from email. Sending 10 messages a day isn't just excessive; it's overwhelming! Keep your texts short and direct with a strong call to action. Call me old school if you want, but we're committed to enhancing our customer service experience by prioritizing human interaction. For me, any AI tool that tries to handle communication is absolutely out of the question. While I'm all for using automation for FAQs and basic inquiries, we want our customers to connect with real people whenever they want to. I've never subscribed to the idea that customer service should be a hassle. Customers are either trying to buy something or resolve an issue with a purchase. Why would I entrust such an important responsibility to AI? Customers give us their money; we should treat them with the respect they deserve by engaging with them personally. ❤️ As I step down from my soap box, I leave you with this. 🧼🧼 In an era where acquisition costs are rising and the competitive landscape is increasingly noisy, it makes little sense to distance ourselves from the people who keep our businesses afloat, our customers. Instead, we should lean into building genuine connections with them. I encourage you to rethink your AI strategy. Yes, AI can enhance efficiency and streamline processes, but let's not forget that people do business with people. Looking at 2025 and beyond, we should focus on getting closer to our customers rather than insulating ourselves behind technology. 🎯 Also: What's really destroying your productivity - and 3 simple ways to focus better today Oh, and I almost forgot to share our secret: it's incredibly simple: we care about our customers. 😇 Hope this helps - - I'm rooting for you. P.S. If you enjoy marketing and business insights like this, consider joining my No Fluff Just Facts newsletter. I'm currently working on a fascinating case study that reveals how one of our brands uses these exact strategies to achieve impressive results. If you're interested in that kind of stuff, click here to sign up; it's completely free! DISCLOSURE

Could your job be at risk due to AI? Do this before it's too late

I have 78 million reasons why your career depends on what you do today. Here is everything you need to know. A couple of weeks ago, The World Economic Forum dropped its predictions for the future of jobs and the seismic shift in the workforce over the next five years (2030). Here's a link: The Future of Jobs Report 2025 Let me tell you, this thing is really well put together. As a connoisseur of well-formatted PDFs, this one goes hard. Also: Your customers don't want more AI - here's what to invest in instead It has tons of relatable info and is super easy to follow, even though it's like 10 million pages long (OK, I'm being dramatic; it's only 290 pages). That said, the future of jobs might look much different than what the gurus say. So buckle up, my friend. This is going to be a good one. If you stick around to the end, I'll share the best game plan for prosperity over the next five years. 🤓 If you're new to my work, my name is Lester, but feel free to call me Les 👋 I'm a founder with a successful exit under my belt. These days, I'm the exec chair for a group of ecom brands, but at my core, I'm an award-winning performance marketer. Needless to say, data and insights are my jam. We operate more like a data company than an ecom brand. Our secret sauce is pairing data and insights with ideas that generate revenue. Also: No, AI won't revolutionize shopping - but this will If you're into data-driven business and marketing insights and strategies, check out my free newsletter, No Fluff Just Facts. I share what's working in the world of business, along with marketing insights and trends I'm seeing. But that's enough about me. I need to tell you all the juicy details about this report. I read all 10 million pages, so you don't have to. 😏 As I mentioned earlier, this report is very thorough and 290 pages deep, but I wanted to focus on the areas that are the most helpful for revenue and understanding the possible landscape. 😎 So, the hot topic is whether AI will take our jobs. The answer is maybe, but you'll probably have a new one. According to the WEF, a net 78 million jobs will be added by 2030. This includes 170 million new jobs created (14% growth) and 92 million jobs lost (8% decline) The fastest growing jobs are AI-related (shocker), Fintech, and Engineers. Renewable energy engineers are also on the rise. However, a surprising and potentially massive opportunity lies in the care economy. More on that later. By 2030, about 39% of skills will be outdated or completely transformed. Honestly, it's not shocking; it's kind of expected. The fastest-growing skills are AI, big data, networks, and cybersecurity. What caught my attention was that the report mentioned soft skills like resilience, creativity, and flexibility, but I found it even more interesting that lifelong learning made the list. The report also noted that 70% of employers consider analytical skills the most essential. The report says that by 2030, 59% of the global workforce will need training. Of this, 29% will be upskilled in their current role, 19% will transition to a new role with additional training, and 11% will risk unemployment without it. The report also highlights that 85% of employers plan to prioritize upskilling, while 70% aim to hire talent with new skills. 64% of employers will prioritize health and well-being to get new talent. I won't lie; I'll believe that one when I see it. The report mentions that diversity, equality, and inclusion initiatives have increased to 83% adoption globally. However, President Trump is rolling back some of these programs, raising questions about whether other countries and corporations will follow suit. It's unclear how this will unfold. Nonetheless, wage alignment with a focus on productivity and talent retention will be key, with 52% of employers planning to allocate more revenue to wages by 2030. Again, I'll believe it when I see it, but I'm hopeful. Alas, the juicy bit... Half of the employers plan to reorient business strategies in response to the rise of AI. In fact, 2 in 3 plan to hire for AI-specific skills (this is where the new jobs will come from). 40% of those same businesses also think their workforce will shrink due to AI automating tasks. On the surface, this might seem like doom and gloom, but remember, we are talking about 78 million new jobs by 2030. It is safe to assume some of that workforce will find employment in companies that don't exist yet. Another insight that stood out to me but deserves its own article is that an aging population will drive the demand for more healthcare jobs. This could be a huge opportunity. Let me know in the comments if you want me to discuss the possibilities. It is no secret that AI is supposed to be the next big thing. I believe this topic goes a lot deeper and I talk more about that here. That said, while AI is here and we need to use these tools, we should not focus on hacks like knowing the best prompt or whatever gimmick the gurus are peddling today. 🤧 Let me explain. A lot of this report stood out to me, but the one thing that will go unnoticed is the soft skills of resilience, creativity, and flexibility. This is probably the most critical skill you can learn as we move into the future. Here's why: Communication is obviously how we interact with different tools like OpenAI and others. Also: Could AI make you a billionaire in 2025? But here is what is not talked about as much: If everyone has access to AI, the market will become more crowded. Businesses are infinitely easier to launch now and everyone is an "expert." How you communicate with your audience to get them to interact with your business will become a premium skill. I promise I am not ranting here, but effective communication is not a skill, it's theeeeee skill. 🎯 As for your big opportunity, I feel like everyone is so focused on the shiny objects, like what are the best prompts or the best tool? Those are fine, but not enough focus is placed on the soft skills. It's as if we're forgetting that even though we use AI to create, our creations are still intended for humans. If I had to say it another way, it is almost like some businesses are using AI and becoming sloppy. Not caring about the customer, and so on. It blows my mind how someone could use any AI tool, understand the frustrations and the obvious limitations, and then decide, "You know what? Imma use an AI chatbot, so I don't have to talk to customers"... bruh, seriously? 🤨 Also: ChatGPT Search could destroy online businesses - how you can stay ahead To get the most out of AI, you do not need to know the latest hacks or have access to some secret button or magic prompt. I believe the soft skills are where the money will be made, where you separate the wheat from the chaff. 💪 That said, here are a few skills I believe will put you in the best position to maximize the opportunities ahead: I am not saying you shouldn't learn best practices, etc., but don't lose focus on the soft skills that separate the elite from the average. If this were a sport, these soft skills would be the fundamentals. 🤗 I know I came at you with a lot today, so I'll leave you with this: I am a savage in these AI streets (not bragging) with an elite workflow that has doubled my productivity and keeps my ADD in check. I operate at this level because I know what I'm looking for when I use AI. Just because I have access to OpenAI does not mean I stop learning or working on my craft. AI can take you from good to great, but it cannot take you from bad to great. I hope that makes sense. If you work on your soft skills, perfect your craft, and embrace AI, you make yourself impossible to replace. 😇 Hope this helps; I'm rooting for you. By the way, do you want more data-driven business insights that drive growth? Sign up for my free newsletter, No Fluff Just Facts. I share what's working, the latest trends, and the occasional pep talk to keep you inspired. If this sounds like your jam and you wanna be besties forever, click here to sign up - it's totally FREE!

Your customers don't want more AI - here's what to invest in instead

There's a disturbing trend in Big Tech. Don't make the same mistake. This is the part of the article where I usually drop a witty line to spark your curiosity or offer a fresh perspective on something intriguing. But today, I'm literally at a loss for words. (If you know me, you know how hard it is to leave me speechless.) Let me explain There I was, minding my own bidness and getting some work done, when I got a Slack notification from Jason (ZDNET's big boss). 👨💻 He sent me an article about Meta's plans to integrate AI-generated user profiles and content across its social media platforms. Also: Operator isn't worth its $200-per-month ChatGPT Pro subscription yet - here's why His caption: "What do you think about this?" That's corporate talk for, "I'm subtly telling you what to do, and you should write about this..." 🙃 Not gonna lie, I had to check the date because it had to be April 1st. Why would Meta want to generate AI users? It's a social platform. It's not hard to see why I was at a loss for words and momentarily paralyzed by disbelief. To be clear, this article isn't about bashing AI or Meta. Also: No, AI won't revolutionize shopping - but this will For the most part, Meta is an incredible company. Even though they piss me off from time to time, their advertising platform has been essential to what I've built, and for that, I'm grateful. ❤️ If you're wondering what's next in AI and how you should adapt, I got you. Feel free to share this article with a friend who's keeping an eye on AI developments. Before we get into it, I will share a little about myself. The name's Mapp, Lester Mapp, but my friends call me Les. 👋 I'm a founder with a successful exit and currently the Executive Chairman of a group of ecom brands but I'm an award-winning performance marketer at my core, and spotting trends is my thing. If I had to sum up my "marketing superpower," it's two-fold. Also: There's a new king of online shopping, and it's built an unstoppable monopoly First, I've gotten pretty good at spotting trends, so much so that we operate more like a data company than a traditional online business. Second, and more importantly, my real edge comes from connecting the dots between data and what it means for our customers. Our success has come from sitting at the intersection of data and human emotion. That's where we've found the magic of decoding both rather than relying on just one. 🤓 (If you read until the end, I'll share my secret on how we do it) Needless to say, I've got some strong opinions on what I see from Big Tech and AI. If you enjoy marketing and business insights like this, consider joining my free No Fluff Just Facts newsletter. You may be wondering what Big Tech is up to and what this so-called disturbing pattern is. As my little brother would say, "They're doing too much." Each of these breakthroughs has its role in society and contributes to our progress as a species. But it seems like big tech is sidestepping the basics, and we, the people, are an afterthought. 😤 Why is the "next big thing" not focused on We've entered an era where AI is overhyped and overused in some cases. For example, the other day, I was browsing Amazon and stumbled upon an AI toaster, bruh...Seriously? (Ten bucks says a subscription-based toaster is coming next.) 🤭 Ever since AI became the hot topic, companies keep pushing solutions to non-existent problems. It's like pandering, but for tech. They over-complicate and overhype everything while ignoring the fundamentals. Also: 3 lucrative side hustles you can start right now with OpenAI's Sora video generator Don't get me wrong, I love tech. I'm all in on AI. I've gone on record more than once saying that nothing will come between my OpenAI subscription and me. But here's my question: Why isn't Big Tech focusing more on the people they're supposed to serve? 🤨 It's giving out of touch. Spend just two seconds in any comment section, and it's clear more AI isn't what people want. For the foreseeable future, I'm focused on building deeper connections with our customers, no matter what form that takes. Here's why: During the pandemic, we witnessed a wave of innovation aimed at keeping us connected while we were stuck at home. Companies thrived, fortunes were made, and "work-from-home" tech dominated the scene. But what happened as soon as we could step outside again? Experiences skyrocketed! 🚀 Also: ChatGPT Search could destroy online businesses - how you can stay ahead American consumer spending on experiences during the previous 12 months ending on August 31, 2024, has surpassed pre-pandemic levels by an impressive 32% compared to the same period ending January 1, 2019. This shift highlights that people crave real-life connections and experiences over mere transactions. As we move forward, it's clear that authentic engagement with our customers will be key to thriving in this evolving landscape. The team and I are doubling down on media channels that we own, which help us genuinely connect with our customers. 🤗 Here's how we're doing it and how you can benefit from these strategies. Email is an incredibly powerful tool that often goes underappreciated. Did you know that consumers who receive email offers spend 138% more than those who don't? Plus, 88% of email users check their inbox every day, with 39% checking multiple times a day. 📩 Pro Tip: If your emails aren't performing, it's not because email is dead. It might be because your content is boring! Make your emails engaging and fun, as if you're writing to a friend. Capture their attention first, then present your offer. We recently turned $20,291.87 in spend into an impressive $556,314.10 through SMS campaigns. Compared to platforms like Google and Meta, SMS is more cost-effective, with 72% of consumers purchasing after receiving a brand's text.📲 Pro Tip: Remember that SMS cadence differs from email. Sending 10 messages a day isn't just excessive; it's overwhelming! Keep your texts short and direct with a strong call to action. Call me old school if you want, but we're committed to enhancing our customer service experience by prioritizing human interaction. For me, any AI tool that tries to handle communication is absolutely out of the question. While I'm all for using automation for FAQs and basic inquiries, we want our customers to connect with real people whenever they want to. I've never subscribed to the idea that customer service should be a hassle. Customers are either trying to buy something or resolve an issue with a purchase. Why would I entrust such an important responsibility to AI? Customers give us their money; we should treat them with the respect they deserve by engaging with them personally. ❤️ As I step down from my soap box, I leave you with this. 🧼🧼 In an era where acquisition costs are rising and the competitive landscape is increasingly noisy, it makes little sense to distance ourselves from the people who keep our businesses afloat, our customers. Instead, we should lean into building genuine connections with them. I encourage you to rethink your AI strategy. Yes, AI can enhance efficiency and streamline processes, but let's not forget that people do business with people. Looking at 2025 and beyond, we should focus on getting closer to our customers rather than insulating ourselves behind technology. 🎯 Also: What's really destroying your productivity - and 3 simple ways to focus better today Oh, and I almost forgot to share our secret: it's incredibly simple: we care about our customers. 😇 Hope this helps - - I'm rooting for you. P.S. If you enjoy marketing and business insights like this, consider joining my No Fluff Just Facts newsletter. I'm currently working on a fascinating case study that reveals how one of our brands uses these exact strategies to achieve impressive results. If you're interested in that kind of stuff, click here to sign up; it's completely free! DISCLOSURE