AI Agent Disrupts Entry-Level Jobs

Hi everyone,

This issue kicks off with a thought-provoking story about Shortcut AI's Excel agent and its potential to reshape entry-level jobs, sparking debate over the growing role of automation.

We also take a look at Microsoft's Copilot mode in Edge, which brings seamless AI assistance to your browser in the face of rising competition.

And finally, we check out Google's latest upgrades to NotebookLM, now with AI-generated video overviews and a redesigned studio panel that makes research more visual and customizable.

Let's get right into it.

In this issue:

• 🤝 In Partnership: Video guides ready in seconds

• 🤿Deep Dive: AI Excel agent replaces entry-level work

• 🖼️AI Art: Examples of great and trending AI art

• 🤿Deep Dive: Microsoft Edge gets Copilot mode

• ⚒️Tool Snapshots: Tools for AI, no-code, and productivity

• 🤿Deep Dive: NotebookLM adds updates

• 📰Top News: News on AI, no-code, and productivity

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🤿 DEEP DIVE

Shortcut AI’s Excel Agent Challenges Entry-Level Knowledge Work

Intelligence: Shortcut AI has launched a new AI-powered agent designed to handle complex tasks in spreadsheets, stirring debate about automation’s impact on entry-level white-collar jobs.

• Shortcut AI presents an agentic tool that operates within an Excel-like interface, automating multi-step tasks such as building financial models or conducting analyses, rather than just simple data entry or formula manipulation.

• The tool was demonstrated replacing data in a distributed cash flow model by automatically scraping company financials from public filings, then repopulating templates (a process often performed by junior analysts).

• CEO Nico Christie claims that Shortcut outperformed first-year analysts from firms like McKinsey and Goldman Sachs nearly 90% of the time and beat ChatGPT Agent in direct comparison; however, these results haven’t been independently verified.

• The launch renews concerns, echoed by AI leaders like Anthropic’s CEO, about AI potentially eliminating a significant share of entry-level desk jobs.

• Proponents argue agentic AI could free workers for more creative and strategic tasks, but critics cite current limitations such as slow performance and formatting challenges; even Shortcut’s founder acknowledges it’s "not perfect."

🖼️ AI ART

Examples of great and trending AI art

🤿 DEEP DIVE

Microsoft Unveils AI-Powered “Copilot Mode” for Edge Browser

Intelligence: Microsoft has launched a new “Copilot Mode” in its Edge browser, introducing advanced AI features to streamline web browsing as competition intensifies among tech giants launching AI-infused browsers.

• Copilot Mode leverages AI to help users organize topic-based queries, compare results across open tabs, and perform tasks without switching tabs, all from a unified input box that merges chat, search, and navigation.

• The new feature includes voice navigation capabilities and will soon allow users to grant Copilot access to browsing history and credentials, enabling actions such as booking or errand management.

• Users maintain control over privacy, as Copilot accesses browsing content only when enabled and provides clear visual indicators when active in the background.

• Microsoft is offering Copilot Mode free for a limited period on Windows and Mac PCs, with options for users to opt out at any time via Edge settings.

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• 📨 Jotform Gmail Agent - Efficient, personalized email drafting and management. Free option available.

🤿 DEEP DIVE

NotebookLM Adds AI-Generated Video Overviews and Enhanced Studio Panel

Intelligence: NotebookLM, Google’s personalized AI research assistant, has introduced Video Overviews and major upgrades to its Studio panel.

• The new Video Overviews feature creates narrated slides with visuals, diagrams, quotes, and data pulled from user documents, serving as a visual complement to the existing Audio Overviews and helping to clarify complex concepts.

• Users can personalize Video Overviews by specifying topics, learning goals, and audience expertise, receiving explanations tailored to their needs.

• Video Overviews are currently available in English, with support for additional languages planned for the future.

• The Studio panel now allows users to create and store multiple outputs of the same type.

• This upgrade supports various use cases—such as providing content in different languages for a wider audience, tailoring overviews for different team roles, or organizing study aids by chapter for exams.

📰 TOP NEWS

News on AI, no-code, automation, and productivity

📘 ChatGPT Adds Study Mode to Support Student Learning

OpenAI has launched Study Mode in ChatGPT, a new feature that encourages students to think critically by asking questions and withholding direct answers unless users engage with the material. It's now rolling out across Free, Plus, Pro and Team plans, with Edu access coming soon.

🎧 Spotify Teases Smarter Voice Controls with AI

Spotify plans to expand its voice features with more conversational AI, using insights from its AI DJ and voice requests to create more interactive listening experiences. The company is also using AI behind the scenes to speed up product development and improve operations.

🎬 Alibaba Launches Wan2.2 for Cinematic Video Creation

Alibaba has released Wan2.2, a suite of open-source video generation models that lets users create detailed cinematic-style videos from text or images with more control and efficiency. The models are now available on Hugging Face, GitHub and ModelScope.

🤖 Writer Debuts Action Agent for Hands-Free Task Execution

Writer has launched Action Agent in open beta, allowing users to delegate complex, multi-step tasks that the AI can plan and execute autonomously using real tools in a secure sandboxed environment. Built for enterprise use, it supports coding, data analysis, web automation, and system-level operations.

ℹ️ ABOUT US

The Intelligent Worker helps you to be more productive at work with AI, automation, no-code, and other technologies.

We like real, practical, and tangible use-cases and hate hand-wavy, theoretical, and abstract concepts that don’t drive real-world outcomes.

Our mission is to empower individuals, boost their productivity, and future-proof their careers.

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