Artificial intelligence continues to reshape various aspects of society, from the job market and national security to education and consumer behavior, though not without significant debate and caution. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell recently affirmed that current AI investments are grounded in real earnings and infrastructure, like semiconductors and cloud services, rather than being a speculative bubble. However, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates offers a more cautious perspective, warning that many AI investments will likely fail, drawing parallels to the dot-com bust of the late 1990s. Gates notes that with 95% of companies exploring AI, widespread adoption does not guarantee success, and many ventures could become unproductive 'dead ends.' This economic backdrop coincides with a cooling job market, partly attributed to AI automation, prompting the Fed to cut interest rates twice this year. In response to job market shifts, a growing number of white-collar professionals are turning to skilled trades. For example, Jonathan Sterling, a 46-year-old former real estate executive, enrolled in an 8-week HVAC course for $2,700 after losing his job in mid-2024 due to AI fears. Similarly, Sarah Miller, a 30-year-old marketing manager, is pursuing carpentry as AI tools automate marketing tasks, highlighting a trend where Google searches for 'trade school for adults' more than doubled in 2025. On the national security front, Lockheed Martin and Google Public Sector announced a partnership in late October 2025 to integrate Google's advanced generative AI, including Gemini models, into Lockheed Martin's secure AI Factory. This collaboration aims to accelerate data analysis, research, development, and logistics for critical defense programs. Meanwhile, the proliferation of AI-generated content in politics is raising alarms on Capitol Hill. Lawmakers like Senator Chris Murphy express concern about distinguishing real from fake content, especially with unidentifiable AI videos, such as a recent deepfake of Senator Chuck Schumer. While some, like Senator Ted Cruz, believe existing free speech laws are sufficient, others fear a future where everything on television could be fabricated. Education systems are also grappling with AI's impact. Washington State education leaders are embracing AI, with Superintendent Chris Reykdal suggesting it can improve bus schedules, manage budgets, and personalize lesson plans. Teachers like Adam Aguilera use AI to develop curriculum, saving time, but also warn about potential negative impacts on mental health and reality distortion. In November 2025, the Ipswich school district held its first professional development day to train teachers on AI use and ethics, emphasizing teaching students to use AI as a 'thought partner.' Internationally, Burkina Faso launched a national AI education campaign on October 28 in Ouagadougou, focusing on digital independence and responsible innovation within ethical guidelines. As the holiday shopping season approaches, consumers are increasingly using AI tools to find products and deals, with younger shoppers leading this trend. The Shopify 2025 Global Holiday Retail Report indicates an expected $37 increase in spending for Black Friday Cyber Monday, totaling $192, even as shoppers set tighter budgets and seek better value. Small businesses are leveraging AI platforms like Shopify's Sidekick to create personalized marketing strategies, adapting to a hybrid shopping experience that combines online and in-store options.
Key Takeaways
- Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell states that current AI investments are based on real earnings and infrastructure, not a speculative bubble.
- Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates warns that many AI investments will fail, comparing the current hype to the dot-com bubble of the late 1990s.
- White-collar professionals, like former real estate executive Jonathan Sterling and marketing manager Sarah Miller, are increasingly enrolling in trade schools due to fears of AI-driven job displacement.
- Google searches for 'trade school for adults' more than doubled in 2025, reflecting a growing interest in skilled trades for job security.
- Lockheed Martin and Google Public Sector partnered in late October 2025 to integrate Google's generative AI, including Gemini models, into national security programs.
- Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are concerned about the rise of AI-generated political content, particularly unidentifiable deepfake videos, and its potential to distort reality.
- Washington State education leaders are adopting AI in classrooms to improve operations and personalize learning, while Ipswich schools are training teachers on ethical AI use.
- Burkina Faso launched a national campaign on October 28 to educate its citizens about AI, focusing on digital independence and responsible development.
- Holiday shoppers are planning to use AI tools to find products and deals, with an expected $37 increase in spending for Black Friday Cyber Monday, totaling $192.
- Teachers are using AI for curriculum development and lesson planning, but also caution about potential negative impacts on mental health and reality distortion.
White Collar Workers Turn to Trade Schools Amid AI Fears
Jonathan Sterling, a 46-year-old former real estate executive, lost his job in mid-2024 due to corporate layoffs and fears AI will make many white-collar roles obsolete. He enrolled in an 8-week HVAC course for $2,700, seeking a more secure, hands-on career. This trend, called the "learn-to-craft" era, sees professionals choosing skilled trades over desk jobs. Google searches for "trade school for adults" more than doubled in 2025, and JVS reports graduates doubling their income within two years. People are finding stability and satisfaction in tangible work that AI cannot easily replace.
Marketing Manager Shifts to Carpentry Due to AI Job Concerns
Sarah Miller, a 30-year-old marketing manager, became concerned about her job security as AI tools began automating marketing tasks. She developed a passion for woodworking during the pandemic and decided to pursue a vocational career. Miller enrolled in a carpentry program, recognizing that AI cannot replace the hands-on skills of a skilled carpenter. Trade schools are seeing more enrollments from professionals with college degrees who seek secure careers less affected by automation. This trend highlights the strong and increasing demand for skilled tradespeople.
Fed Chair Powell Says AI Growth is Real Not a Bubble
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell stated that current investments in artificial intelligence are based on real earnings and infrastructure, not a speculative bubble like the dot-com era. He noted that leading AI companies have strong revenues from tangible products such as semiconductors and cloud services. Powell's comments came after the Fed cut interest rates for the second time this year due to concerns about a cooling job market affected by AI automation. While AI investments are boosting GDP and infrastructure, some critics worry about concentrated wealth and potential overcapacity in AI hardware. Policymakers and investors are watching to see if AI's benefits will spread widely or if history will repeat with unmet expectations.
AI Generated Content in Politics Worries Lawmakers
AI-generated content is becoming common in politics, causing concern among lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Senator Chris Murphy expressed fear about distinguishing real from fake content online. Both President Trump's administration and some Democrats, like former Governor Andrew Cuomo, use AI in their political messaging. Lawmakers worry most about AI videos that are not clearly identifiable as fake, such as a recent AI-generated video of Senator Chuck Schumer. While some see it as a modern form of political parody, others like Senator Josh Hawley fear everything on TV could become fake. Senator Ted Cruz believes existing free speech and fraud laws are enough, opposing new regulations for political deepfakes.
Bill Gates Warns Many AI Investments Will Fail
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates cautioned that many investments in artificial intelligence are likely to fail, similar to the dot-com bubble of the late 1990s. He suggested that the current hype around AI could lead to major financial losses for many companies. Gates noted that during the dot-com era, many businesses collapsed because their models were not sustainable or their technology was not ready. With 95% of companies exploring AI, Gates believes widespread adoption does not guarantee success, and many investments could become unproductive "dead ends."
Burkina Faso Launches National AI Education Campaign
Burkina Faso started a national campaign on October 28 in Ouagadougou to teach its citizens about artificial intelligence. The campaign focuses on ensuring the country's digital independence and promoting responsible new ideas. Minister Aminata Zerbo/Sabane emphasized that AI must help national development while staying within ethical and secure rules. The United Nations also warns that AI brings both big chances and important ethical and social problems.
Lockheed Martin Partners With Google AI for National Security
In late October 2025, Lockheed Martin and Google Public Sector announced a partnership to integrate Google's advanced generative AI, including Gemini models, into Lockheed Martin's secure AI Factory. This collaboration aims to speed up data analysis, research, development, and logistics for important national security programs. This move marks a big step towards using cutting-edge AI in defense, which could change how operations run and how products are developed. Investors will closely watch this alliance, as it could boost Lockheed Martin's competitive edge and long-term growth by enhancing decision-making and threat detection.
Washington Schools Embrace AI for Teaching and Learning
Washington State education leaders are fully adopting artificial intelligence in classrooms, guided by the OSPI's H-AI-H framework. State Superintendent Chris Reykdal believes AI can improve bus schedules, manage budgets, and create personalized lesson plans for students. Teachers like Adam Aguilera use AI to develop curriculum and lesson plans, saving significant time. While AI offers benefits like generating flashcards and quizzes, Aguilera warns about potential negative impacts on mental health and the distortion of reality, similar to issues seen with social media. Despite concerns, 99% of US adults have used AI, and Washington plans to offer AI classes to teach students about its strengths and weaknesses.
Holiday Shoppers Use AI and Seek Value With Tighter Budgets
As the holiday shopping season nears, consumers are planning to spend more, with an expected $37 increase for Black Friday Cyber Monday, totaling $192. However, shoppers are also setting tighter budgets and looking for better value, according to the Shopify 2025 Global Holiday Retail Report. Many consumers, especially younger ones, plan to use AI tools to find products and deals. Small businesses can use AI platforms like Shopify's Sidekick to create personalized marketing strategies. A hybrid shopping experience, combining online and in-store options, is also gaining popularity. Businesses must streamline checkout processes and emphasize authenticity and local support to attract and keep customers.
Ipswich Schools Train Teachers on AI Use and Ethics
In November 2025, the Ipswich school district held its first full professional development day to train teachers on artificial intelligence. The goal is to help educators understand AI and guide students to use it responsibly and ethically. Tracy Wagner, director of teaching and learning, emphasized teaching students to use AI as a "thought partner" for tasks like writing thesis statements, rather than having it do their work. The training, led by MIT RAISE's Day of AI program, covered AI basics, prompting, and teaching students about the technology. Currently, only high school students and teachers can use AI, but the district plans to teach younger students about it in age-appropriate ways. The schools also discussed AI's environmental impact and warned against using AI for mental health advice.
Sources
- Are AI job fears driving professionals to trade schools?
- Are AI job fears driving professionals to trade schools?
- Fed Chair Powell Rejects AI Bubble Claims, Highlights Real Growth
- Politicians are increasingly pushing AI-generated content. It's scaring other politicians.
- Bill Gates warning on AI: Tons of investments will be dead ends and ... - The Times of India
- Burkina Faso : national campaign to harness and regulate artificial intelligence
- How Investors May Respond To Lockheed Martin (LMT) Integrating Google AI Into National Security Operations
- WA education leaders are all in on using AI in the classroom. Why?
- Shoppers Shift Budgets and Embrace AI Ahead of Holiday Spending Surge
- Ipswich schools take on AI with new training for teachers
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