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August 1, 2025·9 min read

[#8] Earn $18K More with AI Skills (Yes, Even Without Coding)

PLUS: ChatGPT-5 on the way, Walmart's super agents, and Google's latest AI features.

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[#8] Earn $18K More with AI Skills (Yes, Even Without Coding)
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If you’re trying to stay ahead without drowning in AI noise, this week’s briefing delivers clarity on the tools, trends, and risks that matter most to your job.

What's inside this week

  • 7 high-signal AI announcements, from ChatGPT's next release to Figma's AI features
  • Your $18K opportunity: AI skills now command premium salaries across industries
  • Trend to Watch: General AI tool traffic held steady this summer, niche tools face volatility
  • Legal privacy warning: The confidentiality gap in AI conversations you need to know

Just the Signals

ChatGPT-5 Rumored to Debut Next Week

1. ChatGPT-5 Rumored to Debut Next Week

OpenAI is reportedly preparing to launch ChatGPT-5 in early August. The new version is rumored to integrate the company's o3 reasoning architecture into a unified system with improved memory, faster processing, and enhanced multimodal (image, video, audio) capabilities. Industry sources suggest the launch could include support for broader tool integrations (via Model Context Protocol).

Source: Tom's Guide

Why it matters

ChatGPT-5 could ignite shift from singular AI tools to unified, more capable systems. For businesses, this could mean fewer switching costs between different AI providers and more sophisticated capabilities for complex workflows. The MCP integration suggests OpenAI is targeting enterprise adoption with interoperability with existing tools.

What to do now

  • If you're an AI decision maker Be aware that the new ChatGPT model release is looming. Its release may consolidate your AI tool stack.
  • If you're planning AI integrations: Research MCP compatibility with your existing systems to prepare for potential workflow improvements.
Google's AI Blitz

2. Google's AI Blitz: Search Updates, NotebookLM Video Summaries

Google launched AI updates across multiple products this week. Search’s AI Mode now supports PDF uploads and live video search through integrated Google Lens, while Search Live provides real-time conversational assistance with visual context. Personal research assistant, NotebookLM introduced Video Overviews with narrated slides that visualize complex information.

Source: Google Blog, Google Blog (2)

Why it matters

Google is rapidly expanding its AI ecosystem, creating new features and integrated workflows that could shift how people research and synthesize information. New capabilities position Google as a comprehensive AI research platform, potentially reducing reliance on multiple specialized tools.

What to do now

  • If you do research-heavy work: Test AI Mode's PDF upload feature to assess how it might streamline information gathering.
  • If you manage training or documentation: Explore NotebookLM's Video Overviews to see if visual summaries could improve team knowledge sharing.
  • If you're evaluating AI tools: Keep an eye on Google's integrated approach, comparing it against standalone research tools to determine which offers better workflow efficiency for your team.
Meta Pilots AI-Enabled Interviews for Coding Roles

3. Meta Pilots AI-Enabled Interviews for Coding Roles

These interviews will allow job candidates to use AI assistants during coding tests. The company believes this approach better reflects actual developer environments and makes traditional AI-based cheating less effective. Meta is currently seeking employee volunteers to test the interview process before wider deployment.

Source: Business Insider

Why it matters

This signals a change in how companies evaluate talent, acknowledging that AI assistance is becoming standard.

What to do now

  • If you manage technical hiring: Review your current interview process to assess whether it reflects real working conditions where candidates would use AI tools.
  • If you're a hiring manager: Consider piloting similar AI-assisted evaluations to test candidates' ability to work effectively with AI, not just without it.
Microsoft Edge Becomes AI-First Browser

4. Microsoft Edge Becomes AI-First Browser

Microsoft launched Copilot Mode in Edge, turning the browser into an AI-first experience where users can browse with AI assistance. The feature offers step-by-step guidance, handles tasks like bookings and creating lists, and can view open tabs to understand user research. Currently free for Mac and PC users with Copilot access.

Source: TechCrunch

Why it matters

Microsoft is the latest to enter the AI browser wars. This shift represents the evolution from AI as a separate tool to AI as integrated workflow assistant.

What to do now

  • If you do research-heavy work: Request Copilot or alternative AI browser access (Perplexity Comet, Via) to test assisted browsing for things like analysis and research.
  • If you manage procurement or purchasing: Consider how AI-powered browsing could streamline prospecting, comparison, research, and evaluation processes for your team.
Walmart Unveils AI Super Agents

5. Walmart Unveils AI Super Agents

Walmart announced four AI-powered "super agents" for shoppers, employees, suppliers, and developers. These agents will replace multiple existing AI tools and serve as the primary AI interface across Walmart operations. The retailer aims for online sales to reach 50% of total sales within five years, using AI to compete more effectively with Amazon.

Source: Reuters

Why it matters

This signals how major retailers plan to integrate AI across entire operations rather than isolated use cases. For businesses, Walmart's approach shows a blueprint for unified AI systems that could transform customer service, employee productivity, and supplier relationships.

What to do now

  • If you work in retail or e-commerce: Study Walmart's four-agent model as a framework for your own AI strategy. Consider how unified agents could replace fragmented tools in your operations.
  • If you manage customer service or operations: Identify areas where multiple tools or processes could be consolidated under a single AI interface to improve efficiency and user experience.
OpenAI Launches Study Mode in ChatGPT

6. OpenAI launched Study Mode in ChatGPT

The newest feature is designed to guide users through problems step-by-step rather than providing direct answers. The mode uses Socratic questioning, sectioned responses, and knowledge checks to encourage deeper understanding.

Source: OpenAI

Why it matters

This represents a shift toward AI as educational partner instead of a response machine. For training departments and learning organizations, this signals new possibilities for AI-assisted skill development that builds understanding instead of dependancy.

What to do now

  • If you manage training: Test Study Mode with your team for complex topics like data analysis, project management, or technical skills where understanding process matters.
  • If you're in learning and development: Consider piloting AI-assisted learning approaches that emphasize guided discovery. This could reshape how you design curriculum and measure learning outcomes.
Figma Make Goes Live: Design with Prompts

7. Figma Make Goes Live: Design with Prompts

Figma Make, the prompt-to-app coding tool, is now available to all users after leaving beta. The tool allows users to build working prototypes using natural language descriptions instead of coding skills.

Source: The Verge

Why it matters

This enables visual prototyping for non-technical teams. For product managers, designers, and business stakeholders, natural language app building could accelerate concept validation and team communication without needing engineering resources.

What to do now

  • If you're in product development: Test Figma Make for rapid prototyping of concepts, user flows, or feature ideas to speed up stakeholder alignment and user testing.
  • If you manage non-technical teams: Consider how prompt-to-code tools could enable your team to create interactive mockups and demos without requiring developer resources.

Trend to Watch

AI Tools: General AI Platforms Level, Niche Tools are Volatile

SimilarWeb's latest AI traffic analysis reveals that growth for major AI platform use has slowed this summer with only 5% growth over 12 weeks, while niche AI tools face high volatility. OpenAI maintains 75% market share among general AI tools, but coding tools experienced significant disruption. The report shows traditional search traffic remains stable despite AI advancement, with Google down only 2% over the period.

Source: SimilarWeb Global AI Tracker

AI Tool Usage Trends

Why it matters

The plateau in general AI tool usage suggests the market is maturing beyond the initial adoption spike, while specialized tools like coding, writing, and imagery face volatility and winner-take-all dynamics.

What to do now

  • Evaluate your AI tool strategy. If you're using general-purpose AI tools, assess whether specialized solutions might deliver better results for specific workflows.
  • Monitor tool stability before deep integrations. The volatility in specialized AI tools suggests careful evaluation of vendor stability and feature consistency.
  • Prepare for AI tool consolidation. With market leaders emerging in each category, plan for potential tool migrations and avoid over-dependence on niche providers without clear competitive advantages.

One More Thing

You Might Be Oversharing with ChatGPT... Legally Speaking

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman reminded us that conversations with ChatGPT lack the legal confidentiality protections available with therapists, lawyers, and doctors. This means sensitive personal and business discussions could be subject to legal discovery in court proceedings. The company is fighting court orders that would require saving chats from hundreds of millions of users.

Source: TechCrunch

Legal Grey Areas in AI

Why it matters

This signals growing risks around data privacy that could impact client trust, internal communications, and compliance standards. Companies must assess how they handle sensitive discussions with AI to prevent unwanted exposure.

What to do now

  • If you're a risk manager or compliance officer: Develop clear policies regarding the use of AI for sensitive communications and train staff on safe data practices.
  • If you're a team leader: Encourage your team to use secure, enterprise-grade AI platforms for discussions involving confidential information.
  • If you oversee IT or legal strategy: Engage with manufacturers and vendors to ensure that AI solutions meet data protection standards.

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