In The Loop

Every week, new AI features and automations appear, but the real question isn't whether you can automate something—it's whether you should. In this episode of In The Loop, I break down a framework—from the Department of Product Substack—to help you decide where to start with AI automation in your product. We’ll cover the concept of verifiability, how to score opportunities across safety, volume, and ease of validation, and why most AI features should be assistants, not full autopilots.By the end, you'll have a practical approach to evaluating AI opportunities and avoiding the mistakes that kill adoption before it starts.⏭️ Episode Highlights(01:30) – Why automation is AI's biggest superpower right now(04:15) – The Verifiability Principle: Can you tell if it worked?(07:00) – Product vs. process: Deciding what to automate for users vs. teams(09:15) – The three-dimensional framework: Safety, volume, and verifiability(12:35) – Three reasons AI automation fails and how to design around them(13:50) – Closing thoughts: Why doing nothing is no longer an option🔗 Links & ResourcesEpisode transcript with more resources on the Mindset AI blogIf you enjoyed this episode, rate, follow, and share! It helps others stay ahead of the latest AI trends. 🚀🤝 We’re SocialStay in the loop—even when you’re not listening to this podcast.Jack HoughtonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-houghton1/ TikTok - @jackschats Mindset AiMindset AI website - https://bit.ly/40lJr6B Newsletter - https://bit.ly/ITLnewsletter LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindset-ai/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GetMindsetAI TikTok - @get.mindset.ai 

Google’s just dropped two new AI models that broke the internet—and got Sam Altman worried. Gemini 3 Pro and Nana Banana Pro hit number one on the app store and generated hundreds of millions of images in days.In this episode of In The Loop, I'm breaking down the capabilities that set these models apart: from perfect multilingual text generation to 24-hour autonomous coding sessions. If you've been waiting for AI assistants and image generation to finally feel useful in your everyday work, this might just be it.⏭️ Episode Highlights(01:15) – Gemini 3 Pro and Nana Banana Pro hit different(03:10) – Nano Banana nails multilingual text(06:08) – Maintaining image identity—blending up to 14 images(07:12) – Real-time data grounding with live information from Google Search(08:50) – Gemini 3 Pro's claim of 24+ hours of autonomous work(11:35) – Complex screenshot interaction and better UI navigation(13:16) – Multiple solution approaches(15:25) – Closing thoughts: what's changed and why Sam Altman should be worried🔗 Links & ResourcesEpisode transcript with more resources on the Mindset AI blogIf you enjoyed this episode, rate, follow, and share! It helps others stay ahead of the latest AI trends. 🚀🤝 We’re SocialStay in the loop—even when you’re not listening to this podcast.Jack HoughtonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-houghton1/ TikTok - @jackschats Mindset AiMindset AI website - https://bit.ly/40lJr6B Newsletter - https://bit.ly/ITLnewsletter LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindset-ai/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GetMindsetAI TikTok - @get.mindset.ai 

OpenAI just released GPT 5.1—but this time, there are no benchmark charts, no performance graphs, and no technical metrics. Instead, they're selling something much harder to measure: vibes.In this episode of In The Loop, I break down the five key improvements in GPT 5.1 and what this dramatic shift from technical benchmarks to user experience tells us about where AI is heading. From better instruction following to warmer personality (at the cost of safety regressions), OpenAI is making bold choices to compete with Claude's rising market dominance.⏭️ Episode Highlights(01:30) – GPT-5.1 improvement #1: Better instruction following(02:25) – GPT-5.1 improvement #2: Increased decisiveness(04:15) – GPT-5.1 improvement #3: Enhanced planning(04:53) – GPT-5.1 improvement #4: Writing improvements(08:00) – GPT-5.1 improvement #5: Warmer personality(10:20) – Conclusion: Why vibes now matter as much as benchmarks🔗 Links & ResourcesEpisode transcript with more resources on the Mindset AI blogIf you enjoyed this episode, rate, follow, and share! It helps others stay ahead of the latest AI trends. 🚀🤝 We’re SocialStay in the loop—even when you’re not listening to this podcast.Jack HoughtonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-houghton1/ TikTok - @jackschats Mindset AiMindset AI website - https://bit.ly/40lJr6B Newsletter - https://bit.ly/ITLnewsletter LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindset-ai/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GetMindsetAI TikTok - @get.mindset.ai 

Michael Burry—the legendary investor who foresaw the 2008 housing collapse—is at it again. This time, he’s betting against the biggest names in artificial intelligence: Nvidia and Palantir. Burry reportedly wagered over 80% of his portfolio—more than $1.1 billion—on their decline, triggering panic across global markets and wiping out over a trillion dollars in value in a single day.In this episode of In The Loop, I unpack exactly why Burry made this move, the financial mechanics behind his short, and what it could mean for the future of AI. I break down how money is flowing in ways that might not add up, and why I think the market’s reaction is missing the bigger picture.⏭️ Episode Highlights(01:00) – Who is Michael Burry, and why his market calls shake Wall Street(04:10) –  The circular money flow between Nvidia, OpenAI, Microsoft, Amazon, and others(08:20) – Why Burry might be right about overvaluation—but wrong about a full-blown collapse(12:00) – Why this might just be a temporary correction—not the end of the AI boom🔗 Links & ResourcesEpisode transcript with more resources on the Mindset AI blogIf you enjoyed this episode, rate, follow, and share! It helps others stay ahead of the latest AI trends. 🚀🤝 We’re SocialStay in the loop—even when you’re not listening to this podcast.Jack HoughtonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-houghton1/ TikTok - @jackschats Mindset AiMindset AI website - https://bit.ly/40lJr6B Newsletter - https://bit.ly/ITLnewsletter LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindset-ai/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GetMindsetAI TikTok - @get.mindset.ai 

Amazon announced 14,000 job cuts, citing AI transformation. Two days later, the CEO tells investors it's "not AI-driven." So which is it?In this episode of In The Loop, I dive into the growing disparity between record profits and mass layoffs at tech giants.After spending a weekend analyzing financial statements, competitive positioning, and workforce data, I have four questions to ask that reveal whether companies are experiencing genuine AI productivity gains or just using AI as a cover for cost-cutting measures they'd have taken anyway.⏭️ Episode Highlights(01:00) – The contradiction that bugs me(03:10) – The impact of unemployment(05:15) – Four questions that reveal why AI is just a scapegoat(11:20) – Closing thoughts🔗 Links & ResourcesEpisode transcript with more resources on the Mindset AI blogIf you enjoyed this episode, rate, follow, and share! It helps others stay ahead of the latest AI trends. 🚀🤝 We’re SocialStay in the loop—even when you’re not listening to this podcast.Jack HoughtonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-houghton1/ TikTok - @jackschats Mindset AiMindset AI website - https://bit.ly/40lJr6B Newsletter - https://bit.ly/ITLnewsletter LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindset-ai/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GetMindsetAI TikTok - @get.mindset.ai 

OpenAI has just launched its own AI browser, Atlas, sparking headlines about the “return of the browser wars” and speculation that Google might finally have a real challenger. In this episode of In The Loop, I break down what Atlas actually is, how it compares to competitors like Perplexity’s Comet, and why I don’t believe it’s going to dethrone Chrome—or even come close.But the real question isn’t whether Atlas can beat Google. It’s what Atlas tells us about the future of AI, data, and how we’ll interact with the internet. From context-aware chat features and Agent Mode to privacy trade-offs and market realities, I unpack the hype, share my hands-on impressions, and explore what this new browser means for users like you and me.⏭️ Episode Highlights(00:45) – Introducing OpenAI’s new browser, Atlas, and the hype surrounding its launch(02:30) – What Atlas actually is: context-aware ChatGPT and Agent Mode explained(08:40) – The strategic context: why Atlas was built on Google’s Cranium and what that means(15:50) – Closing thoughts: Atlas might not win the market, but it could still be useful for you🔗 Links & ResourcesEpisode transcript with more resources on the Mindset AI blogIf you enjoyed this episode, rate, follow, and share! It helps others stay ahead of the latest AI trends. 🚀🤝 We’re SocialStay in the loop—even when you’re not listening to this podcast.Jack HoughtonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-houghton1/ TikTok - @jackschats Mindset AiMindset AI website - https://bit.ly/40lJr6B Newsletter - https://bit.ly/ITLnewsletter LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindset-ai/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GetMindsetAI TikTok - @get.mindset.ai

For decades, robotics has carried the reputation of being the ultimate “technology that never quite delivered.” But this month—October 2025—something shifted. Over $6 billion has poured into robotics, with major investors declaring that the next big thing is physical AI.In this episode of In The Loop, I explore why robotics might finally be having its iPhone moment. I break down what’s changed, from embodied AI that gives robots physical intuition to world models that let machines simulate and predict how the real world works. We’ll dig into why companies like SoftBank, Nvidia, and Elon Musk’s xAI are doubling down on humanoid robots, how breakthroughs in training data and cloud infrastructure are reshaping what’s possible, and whether this surge of optimism is the start of something big—or just another hype cycle in the making.⏭️ Episode Highlights(00:55) – Setting the stage: the long history of consumer robotics overpromising and underdelivering(00:55) Why $6 billion just flowed into robotics: SoftBank, xAI, and the rise of world models(08:05) Reality check: the challenges still holding robotics back from mass adoption(10:15) Breaking down the three biggest hurdles: real-world reliability, cost, generalization & edge-cases(11:40) Closing thoughts: why AI robots might be closer than we think, but not quite here yet🔗 Links & ResourcesEpisode transcript with more resources on the Mindset AI blogIf you enjoyed this episode, rate, follow, and share! It helps others stay ahead of the latest AI trends. 🚀🤝 We’re SocialStay in the loop—even when you’re not listening to this podcast.Jack HoughtonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-houghton1/ TikTok - @jackschats Mindset AiMindset AI website - https://bit.ly/40lJr6B Newsletter - https://bit.ly/ITLnewsletter LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindset-ai/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GetMindsetAI TikTok - @get.mindset.ai

There’s a new workplace jargon floating around: AI workslop. Coined by Stanford researchers, it captures a growing frustration with AI-generated content that looks polished at first glance but falls apart upon second look. In this episode of In The Loop, I unpack what “ AI workslop” really means, its cost to organizations, and most importantly, question whether it's a tooling issue or a human problem.We’ll explore how the so-called “efficiency trap” is lowering quality standards at work, how overconfidence in AI training can backfire, and why domain expertise matters more than ever. Plus, I’ll share four ways to fix this problem so we can all spend more time producing work we’re actually proud of.⏭️ Episode Highlights(00:55) – What “AI workslop” actually is and why it’s becoming everyone’s problem(05:30) – The “efficiency trap” and the four stages of AI workshop evolution(10:25) – Centaur vs. cyborg approach: what good AI use really looks like(11:00) – Four ways to fix the AI workslop problem in your team(14:40) – Closing thoughts: Setting expectations instead of blaming tools🔗 Links & ResourcesEpisode transcript with more resources on the Mindset AI blogIf you enjoyed this episode, rate, follow, and share! It helps others stay ahead of the latest AI trends. 🚀🤝 We’re SocialStay in the loop—even when you’re not listening to this podcast.Jack HoughtonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-houghton1/ TikTok - @jackschats Mindset AiMindset AI website - https://bit.ly/40lJr6B Newsletter - https://bit.ly/ITLnewsletter LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindset-ai/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GetMindsetAI TikTok - @get.mindset.ai

OpenAI just made its boldest move yet—and it’s not about a smarter model. It’s about owning the future of how we use AI. At DevDay 2025, OpenAI revealed a massive shift from raw intelligence to practical utility, unveiling the ChatGPT Apps SDK, their new agent builder, and a new context-capture system that could change how every app on the planet works.In this episode of In The Loop, I break down what these announcements mean, why they matter, and how they all fit into OpenAI’s bigger plan to sit at the center of every human–AI interaction. From deep context integration to the risks of ecosystem lock-in, I’ll unpack the signal from the noise and what these moves tell us about where AI is heading next.⏭️ Episode Highlights(01:10) - The new ChatGPT Apps: OpenAI’s third and most ambitious attempt at a platform strategy(07:10) - Deep context integration and how it could redefine every app interaction(10:05) - Inside AgentKit: building AI agents and workflows without code(14:00) - What this all means for the future of conversational AI technology🔗 Links & ResourcesEpisode transcript with more resources on the Mindset AI blogIf you enjoyed this episode, rate, follow, and share! It helps others stay ahead of the latest AI trends. 🚀🤝 We’re SocialStay in the loop—even when you’re not listening to this podcast.Jack HoughtonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-houghton1/ TikTok - @jackschats Mindset AiMindset AI website - https://bit.ly/40lJr6B Newsletter - https://bit.ly/ITLnewsletter LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindset-ai/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GetMindsetAI TikTok - @get.mindset.ai

Imagine a world where your glasses can translate conversations in real time, display arrows on the street to guide your way, and let you respond to messages without ever pulling out your phone. That’s the promise behind Meta’s new Ray-Ban smart glasses, announced at Meta Connect. But despite all the futuristic potential, the launch wasn’t without its awkward demo fails. So, are these glasses a glimpse of our inevitable future, or just another overhyped gadget?In this episode of In The Loop, I unpack the features that could make these smart glasses revolutionary—or doom them to obscurity. From live translations and accessibility breakthroughs to navigation, content creation, and the ever-present question of social acceptance, we’ll explore whether this could be the iPhone moment that changes everything.⏭️ Episode Highlights(01:00) – Meta Connect recap and the specs of the Ray-Ban smart glasses(04:00) – What can you use the Meta Glasses for?(04:50) – Live captions, translations, and accessibility use cases(06:30) – Navigation, content creation, and privacy concerns(08:00) – Message triaging and hand-free texting(09:07) – Camera, content creation, and related privacy(10:15) – Speed of adoption: Price, user experience, social acceptance, and competition(17:55) – My verdict: cautiously optimistic, but not yet at an iPhone moment🔗 Links & ResourcesEpisode transcript with more resources on the Mindset AI blogIf you enjoyed this episode, rate, follow, and share! It helps others stay ahead of the latest AI trends. 🚀🤝 We’re SocialStay in the loop—even when you’re not listening to this podcast.Jack HoughtonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-houghton1/ TikTok - @jackschats Mindset AiMindset AI website - https://bit.ly/40lJr6B Newsletter - https://bit.ly/ITLnewsletter LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindset-ai/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GetMindsetAI TikTok - @get.mindset.ai