AI Scams to Watch for | AI School to launch in Arizona | AI Agents will be deployed in 2025

LinkedIn Tips:

New Vertical Video Feed

Subtly changes were made in how we see our video feeds.

Old way: description at the top of the video and straight edges

New way: rounded edges, shortened descriptions and clickable links, "follow button" above the description on the video itself.

Who's viewed your profile updated on Mobile.

You can now sort by the most recent and most relevant like on desktop. I really wish that desktop and mobile features would work the same from the get go.

AI News:

SoftBank Announces $100 Billion Investment in AI and U.S. Tech Infrastructure

Accelerating AI Development in the U.S.

The $100 billion investment underscores SoftBank’s belief in AI as a key driver of future innovation. Son stated that AI will surpass human intelligence within a decade and transform nearly every industry, including:

• Transportation
• Pharmaceuticals
• Finance
• Manufacturing
• Logistics
• And more

“Companies and people working with AI will be the leaders of the next 10 to 20 years,” Son has said in previous statements.

5 AI Scams Set To Surge In 2025: What You Need To Know

The Vast Majority of BEC Attacks Will Involve AI and Deepfakes

Business Email Compromise attacks leveraging deepfakes are now poised to become a major fraud threat in 2025. In?two separate schemes?in Hong Kong this year, fraudsters used AI-generated video and audio to impersonate company executives on Zoom calls, convincing employees to transfer nearly $30 million in funds.

AI Deepfake Extortion Scams Will Target High Profile Executives

In Singapore, scammers recently orchestrated a deepfake email extortion plot targeting 100 public servants from 30 government agencies, including cabinet ministers.

Read the complete report from Forbes here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/frankmckenna/2024/12/16/5-ai-scams-set-to-surge-in-2025-what-you-need-to-know/

Arizona approves AI-taught online Charter School

The new online-only institution, Unbound Academy, represents a groundbreaking approach to education, offering a model that condenses academic instruction into just two hours daily, while using the rest of the day for teaching life skills, all supported by advanced AI-driven platforms.

These students will be ready for the future. But how will they be socially? No lunchtime meetups, no after school shenanigans, no dances, no field trips. Is this the future of education? And the end of tenured faculty?

Read the full article here: https://techcrunch.com/2024/12/20/arizonas-getting-an-online-charter-school-taught-entirely-by-ai/

AI Assistants move over, AI Agents are being deployed!

Anthropic Shares Detailed Best Practices for Building Effective AI Agents

What are agents?

"Agent" can be defined in several ways. Some customers define agents as fully autonomous systems that operate independently over extended periods, using various tools to accomplish complex tasks. Others use the term to describe more prescriptive implementations that follow predefined workflows. At Anthropic, we categorize all these variations as?agentic systems, but draw an important architectural distinction between?workflows?and?agents:

• Workflows?are systems where LLMs and tools are orchestrated through predefined code paths.
• Agents, on the other hand, are systems where LLMs dynamically direct their own processes and tool usage, maintaining control over how they accomplish tasks.

Learn more about AI Agents here.

AI Tools:

Introducing ReelMagic: a multi-agent platform that uses the best creative AI models to adapt story ideas into ready-to-watch videos. All within a single workflow. According to the company, the platform enables:

• 10+ minute videos created in under 10 minutes
• Customized character generation with deep storyline and character consistency
• Full control over script development, storyboard, lip-sync, set design, and editing

Fabric.so one home for your digital world. Never lose an idea or file again. The universal workspace and smart organizer for all your notes, files, links and screenshots.

I'm on the hunt for the perfect AI tool that captures and organizes everything in my head, my computer and my phone, could this be the tool? They say it is an alternative to Notion, whcih I hear as a bit of a learning curve.

I signed up for the free version to take it for a test drive. If you use it- tell me what you think.

Fabric.so - click the link to learn more.

Sourcetable can create interactive Reports Charts and Graphs. It can analyze, scrub, and organize your data and it has voice driven spreadsheet. [great for people like me with a learning disorder]

Could this be the tool I use to get organized for my taxes? It says it can integrate with over 99 platforms. Introducing Sourcetable. Features: Build, Analyze, and Centralize your live data.

Learn more here: https://sourcetable.com.

Ready to start infusing AI into your life? Jump on a call with me to learn more.

Business Toolkit Spotlight:

1. Fathom: AI-powered meeting assistant that records, transcribes, highlights, and summarizes video calls. No more note-taking! Try Fathom here.
2. HoneyBook: Manage projects, book clients, and send invoices seamlessly. Get 50% off your first year.
3. Quso.ai Repurpose long videos into 42 shareable clips for social media, complete with captions and AI descriptions. Check it out here.
4. ClickUp: All-in-one productivity platform for teams to brainstorm, plan, and collaborate. Start here.
5. Buzzsprout: Launch or upgrade your podcast easily—tools, audio clips, and more. Get $20 credit when you upgrade.
6. Sticker Mule: Order custom stickers, magnets, buttons, and more in 60 seconds, with free proofs and shipping. Order now.
7. SendSpark: Record personalized videos to boost outreach and schedule more meetings, using AI to tailor them to each prospect. Explore SendSpark.
8. Airtable: No-code app platform to accelerate critical business processes. Perfect for non-tech builders. Learn more here.
9. Pickaxe: Simplify data extraction and analysis with this easy-to-use data mining tool. This platform can be used to host your custome GPT's behind a paywall. Check out Pickaxe.
10. Claude: Supercharge your writing with AI assistance—create content that resonates. Explore Claude.
11. FlyMSG: Streamline repetitive tasks by creating text templates to quickly insert with shortcuts. Try FlyMSG here.
12. CapCut: Create vertical video reels with auto-captions and branding in minutes. Try it for free.
13. Social Media Scheduler with built-in AI. Meet SocialRocket! It's a game changer. You train it on your business, client pain points, and your solutions and it creates posts that are uniquely formatted for EACH DIFFERENT platform.

Podcast Plaza:

Scale-Up Strategies: The Business Growth Podcast

Thoughtful gifting can make a difference for the business owners in your life.

This episode provides a diverse array of unique and practical gift ideas tailored for entrepreneurs, covering everything from tech gadgets to personal growth subscriptions.?

? Highlighting the importance of digital tools for productivity?

? Recommending desk organizers and docking stations for efficient workspace?

? Discussing the necessity of comfortable headsets and noise-canceling headphones?

? Debating the pros and cons of branded gifts?

? Emphasizing the benefits of ergonomic office chairs?

? Promoting coffee-related gifts for daily motivation?

? Introducing smart reusable notebooks as a sustainable alternative?

? Listing essential tech gadgets and portable chargers for on-the-go business owners?

? Advocating for local gift cards to support small businesses?

? Highlighting transformative gifts like memberships and coaching sessions.

Share the podcast with your family and friends for gifting inspiration!?

Where Mary is Speaking:

January is Off to an Incredible Start!

I'm thrilled to share some exciting updates:

? I'll speak at two masterminds this January, diving into strategies and insights to empower professionals and business owners.

?? Collaborating on an AI webinar to explore how artificial intelligence can drive transformation across industries. Stay tuned for details!

??? Honored to join Bobby Umar on his Podcast: Thought Leadership Branding Club, where we'll discuss leveraging AI in today's world and what 2025 will look like.

Are you booking speakers and trainers for 2025?

I’m here to shake things up and make learning fun. With over 175 podcast chats under my belt and some epic sessions at the Marriott Mosaic conference in Las Vegas, I bring the energy and insights that transform standard talks into interactive, memorable experiences.

As the brains behind the "3C Method" and the voice of the Scale-Up Strategies Podcast, I’m all about engaging and empowering my audience. No snooze-allowed sessions here—just actionable tips and a whole lot of fun.

?? Planning your 2025 lineup? Let’s add some spice to your event! I’m booking now for Q1 and would love to bring a dash of zest to your stage or group. I am available for both online and in-person events. Slide into my DMs or drop me a line to book your dates. Let’s make your next event not just informative but unforgettable!

Meet Mary:

For over two decades, Mary Fain Brandt has been a powerhouse in the training and facilitation world, amassing a wealth of experience that speaks volumes. With a portfolio of over 500 clients, Mary's ability to unlock LinkedIn's full potential is unmatched, making her the go-to expert you need.

Mary’s professional journey is a testament to her exceptional skill in transforming LinkedIn profiles into dynamic career assets, resulting in career advancements, client acquisitions, speaking engagements, and more. Not one to stop at LinkedIn, Mary is also a certified AI consultant, diving deep into AI to deliver cutting-edge insights and strategies for her clients. Her excellence was recently recognized with the Women with Vision award from NAWBO PHX in March 2024.

As the co-host of the Scale Up Strategies Podcast and a sought-after speaker at summits, conferences, and mastermind groups, Mary captivates her audience with her energetic and engaging style. She’s the creator of the “3C Method” and has graced the stage and screen as the past host of LinkedIn Local PHX and San Diego, along with her live shows, “15 Mins of FAIN” and “Bite-Sized Tips for Busy Entrepreneurs.”

But Mary isn’t all business. She finds joy and adventure kayaking in the Pacific Ocean or the Salt River. A daily coffee enthusiast, she considers herself a home barista, expertly crafting peppermint mochas and vanilla lattes. Mary loves hosting happy hour gatherings at her new home, attending concerts, and taking road trips with her husband Joseph.

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To good coffee & great conversations!!