“Everything is just changing so fast... I think adaptability is being able to look at those changes as positives rather than negatives.” — Vikki Baptiste, Chief Digital Alchemist at 3 Bees Digital on The AI Readiness Project Podcast
Hi Reader,
(Before I launch into this reverie, I have to mention that we have our first in a series of live panels - previews of our speaker lineup for the CREATE Conference - next week. Check the link below and add this to your calendar! Actionable take-aways galore.) Okay, so:
Ever feel like the more you learn about AI, the further behind you get?
Why does staying “AI ready” feel so exhausting?
You’ve mastered a handful of tools and experimented with a bunch. You’re grooving right along in your AI-powered life.
And then—you hit a familiar speed bump.
It’s imposter syndrome and, LBH, probably a healthy dose of internalized misogyny. That voice that makes you doubt yourself, even with all your skill, expertise, and proven success.
The instinct to KNOW ALL THE THINGS is what we know....familiar.
But it prevents us from putting our expertise into the world—the expertise people actually need from us. The walls, the fears, even the glass ceiling (ugh)… they all show up here.
So when we talk about AI readiness, it’s not about keeping up with the latest feature drop. It’s about the internal shifts it takes to stay human and agile inside something that refuses to stay still. It's about talking back to those familiar voices saying "Not yet. Wait til everything is perfect."
On the AI Readiness Project podcast, we talk about this all the time. I’m attaching a handy list of reminders we use on the show, gleaned from transcripts of at least 100 talks, podcast interviews, and mastermind sessions with our network of AI optimists.
I hope at least one resonates with you today, in case you need a reminder - those speed bumps are there to remind you to stay the course.
We're going back in time a little bit for this week's "How I Used AI This Week" from Valerie Ehrlich, PhD. It's a good one from May! Subscribe to the Mission Bloom newsletter.
"This week, I asked AI to help keep me on track while I’ve got a lot of heavy lifting to do for a major project deliverable. It…mostly delivered.
Here’s what I tried: 🧹 Cleaning messy short answer data ✍️ Reframing stubborn report sections where I felt lost in the weeds 🧭 Translating a complicated system maps visual into narrative 🧠 Brainstorming underlying frameworks I hadn’t fully seen yet myself
This week’s document has a new feature: evaluation! I’m trying to highlight how well the AI did (in general), time saved (if I have a sense of it), and share any complete fails.
As always, these aren’t flashy or amazing prompts. They’re just the practical ways I’m experimenting with AI and seeing where it helps and where it falls short.*
*If you ask it how it thinks it did on the absolute failure of a visualization it will say “surprisingly well!”. It even flatters itself..(PDF opens in Google Drive.)
Hi, I’m Valerie—founder of Mission Bloom. I help mission-driven leaders leverage AI responsibly. Whether you’re experimenting, feeling overwhelmed, or just curious about where to start, I offer trusted guidance to help you lead with intention in an AI-shaped world. Want support bringing AI into your work, team, or organization with purpose and integrity? Message me—I’d love to connect.
📢 Women in AI Making an Impact
Jamie Velasquez is an AI Creative Artist and Transformational Life Coach at JVision, LLC, where she fuses technology with artistry to deliver visionary branding and digital design. With 20+ years as a leader in restoration and former President of Servpro District Heights & Landover, Jamie brings operational excellence into the AI space. Her background in Fine Arts from Parsons enriches her innovative approach, making her a standout in creative AI leadership.
Paige Lord is a Senior Product Marketing Manager at GitHub, leading go-to-market strategies for Copilot and GitHub’s AI portfolio. With a focus on responsible AI and developer empowerment, Paige bridges technical innovation and strategic communication. Formerly Joint GTM Lead with Microsoft, she has driven AI adoption at scale. Her Harvard background and Microsoft tenure anchor her expertise in program leadership and ethical AI advancement.
Kelly Pallanti is a strategic HR Advisor and Director at NorthstarPMO Inc., where she pioneers people-first systems that ethically integrate AI into HR operations. With a rich background in wellness, DEI, and Digital HR Transformation, Kelly empowers mid-sized teams to scale thoughtfully. Her leadership spans roles at Mentally Fit Workplaces and CureSearch, blending strategic planning with a deep commitment to mental health and modern workplace innovation.
📅 Mark Your Calendars
AI Foundations For Women
All you have to do is show up with a curious mind.
That's it. We got you.
Choose a session: July 25th, August 29th, or September 19th
Empowered by AI: The SLAI Effect with Michelle Muncy-Silva
Building Purpose Driven AI Movements with Sabrina Ramonov
In this episode of Empowered by AI, Sabrina Ramonov, founder of Blotato, shares how she’s building a 1-million-strong audience through free AI education. Recorded during the AI Renaissance event, she offers practical insight on content overwhelm, decision-making, and staying aligned with your values. A must-listen for anyone building in AI who believes in the power of community. 🎧 Listen below or on your favorite podcast platform:
The AI Readiness Project with Anne Murphy and Kyle Shannon
Max, the Chaos Goblin, and Honest AI Conversations with Vikki Baptiste
In last week's episode, Anne Murphy and Kyle Shannon sat down with Vikki to explore what it means to have honest conversations with and about AI. From the whimsical origins of her “Chaos Goblin” companion, Max, to the deeper questions of identity and tech, Vikki walked us through the ways she balances play, curiosity, and clarity in her work. Expect a refreshing take on AI that doesn't feel like another panel discussion or product pitch.
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