Shortcut to 10x Speed – This Week’s AI Tools Are Game-Changers

Friends,

Welcome to The AI Optimist—your weekly dose of AI Optimism. Here’s what matters…

This week is a reminder that we’re not just seeing new tools emerge. We’re watching the rules of business evolve. From how content is valued, to who can build products, to what our teams need to thrive - AI is reshaping the ground we build on.

These shifts aren’t threats. They’re invitations to build our tomorrow in a way that was previously impossible. The path is open to those ready to step forward.

🔥 URGENT PRIORITIES

✅ No AI shocks
✅ No fires to fight
✅ A calm week to focus on building momentum

Use it. These windows matter.

🎯 STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS

Let’s Talk About the AI Fear

This new piece in Nature explains how AI doesn’t “think” like us - it predicts. And it does that very well. Their headline however is “This AI ‘thinks’ like a human — after training on 160 psychology studies”. It is a headline designed to capture eyeballs and attention as all headlines are, not to ensure psychological safety.
👉 Read it here

Why this matters:
It’s easy to see headlines like this and spiral into fear. This week, we’ve spoken with teams stalling projects over concerns about AI replacing creativity. But these aren’t AI problems. They’re human ones - rooted in how value is distributed and the economics of greed. When used well, AI doesn’t remove creativity. It amplifies it. And AI gives us an opportunity to move past our current economic models and find the inclusive economic growth models that will drive tomorrow. Let’s keep our focus on building, not hesitating.

AI Training Is Now Business-Critical

This Forbes piece makes a strong case: AI literacy isn’t optional anymore.
👉 Read it here

Why this matters:
Your team’s AI fluency will shape your competitive edge. We’re helping teams accelerate with focused, practical learning through AI Night School. If you want to move faster and more confidently, let’s talk. This is a smart time to invest in your internal capability.

🤓 GEEK OUT

🔒 Cloudflare’s Big Move: Pay-to-Crawl

Cloudflare has just introduced a new model: AI companies will need to pay to crawl content.
👉 Read the announcement

Why this matters:
This marks a shift toward a more balanced internet economy. If you create value, you should be part of the value chain. Expect more momentum behind moves like this - and more opportunity for creators to be compensated fairly.

⚙️ Docusign Rebuilt in a Weekend?

Loveable.dev, a no-code “vibe” tool, let one builder re-create Docusign’s core functionality in just a weekend - and it was compelling enough to trigger legal threats from the tech giant.
👉 Explore Spryngtime
👉 Read the Sifted article

Why this matters:
This isn’t about copying. It’s about showing what’s now possible. With the right tools, solo builders and small teams can deliver real alternatives. The ground is shifting beneath legacy software models - and that’s good news for everyone who’s ever felt vendor lock- in (Aka they are holding our data hostage).

🧠 What If the Real Shift Is About Mindset?

The debate isn’t about whether AI is safe or dangerous. It’s about how we use it to unlock better outcomes. The most resilient teams we’ve seen aren’t waiting to be told what’s coming. They’re testing, learning, and building with purpose today.

🎨 WEEKEND PLAYGROUND

🧪 Try Shortcut for Spreadsheet Power Moves that 10x your

Shortcut is a natural language coding tool built for spreadsheet pros. Build complex financial models faster, at 10x the speed. This is vibe coding for finance.
👉 tryshortcut.ai

Why this matters:
If you do any kind of financial planning, this could be the game changer. Think faster modelling, easier scenario testing, and cleaner workflows - all in tools you already know.

Also worth exploring:
⚒️ Spryngtime - Build doc workflows in minutes, no code needed.

📅 COMMUNITY EVENTS TO SUPPORT YOUR AI JOURNEY

🆓 LinkedIn Live
How to Benchmark Your Organisation’s AI Readiness
→ With Hugo
→ A practical walkthrough for leaders who are planning to build human led, AI-super-aligned businesses.

Wednesday 9th July 3pm. Grab a cuppa and join Hugo.

💼 Premium Webinar
Build Your First AI Agent
→ With Ben
→ Hands-on, outcome-focused session - you’ll leave with a working agent

🎓 AI Night School: New Cohort Starts July 9
→ Core AI curriculum for modern teams
→ Reply to join or message Ben or Hugo directly

Coming soon… Forest Hours with Hugo. (I do my best thinking in the forest, not the office.)

📢 Share The Signal
If The AI Optimist helps you think clearer, forward it to someone else navigating the shift.
Not quite landing? Hit reply. We read every message.

Stay sharp,
Hugo & Ben