Let’s be honest.
We all fake it.
We copy old templates and pass them off as new.
We stretch numbers in reports because nobody checks.
We paste from Google, tweak a line, and call it “our work.”
We dragged last year’s deck into this year’s meeting because the deadline was impossible.
You’ve done it. I’ve done it. Everyone has.
And the lie we tell ourselves is that this is just “working hard.”
Here’s the truth: AI is the same shortcut, but this time, you don’t have to lie about it.
It doesn’t make you lazy. It makes you honest.
You finally get to stop pretending you’re superhuman and start saving the hours you’ve been secretly cutting all along.
This issue is about using AI in the open:
Intel: Amazon is already drafting its sacred memos with AI, while “shadow AI” is spreading through every company.
Tools: Perplexity for research with receipts, Rezi to beat CV scanners, Jasper to kill the blank page.
Prompt: How to turn hours of content into a sharp LinkedIn post that makes you look like you.
Q&A: The fear no one admits, does AI make you fake? (Spoiler: no. Faking is what we were already doing.)
Scroll down. It’s time to stop hiding.
AI Intel: Amazon Experiments with AI-Written Memos
What happened:
Amazon is testing AI tools that take rough notes or bullet points and automatically generate a first draft of their six-page memos. These memos are the centrepiece of Amazon’s meetings and strategy sessions, normally written carefully by staff from scratch. The pilot is designed to save teams the long hours it takes to produce them.
Why it matters to work:
Amazon’s memos are famous because they guide billion-dollar decisions. If Amazon is trusting AI to draft such critical documents, it’s a clear sign of where things are heading: AI won’t just handle admin tasks; it will soon be used to create the core documents that drive decisions in all companies. If this shift is happening at Amazon today, expect it to reach your workplace tomorrow.
What to do by Friday:
For your next meeting or proposal, jot down 4–5 bullet points you’d normally expand into a document. Paste those into ChatGPT or Google Docs, “Help me write”, and let it build a draft. Don’t treat it as finished work; review it, keep what improves clarity, and rewrite anything that doesn’t fit. This way, you cut the hardest part (structuring and fleshing out) while staying in control of the final version.
AI Intel: “Shadow AI” Is Already Inside Most Companies
What happened:
Recent surveys show that 60–70% of employees are already using AI tools at work without telling their managers. This includes free tools like ChatGPT, browser extensions, or niche apps brought in to speed up tasks.
Why it matters to work:
This “shadow AI” means businesses are already running on AI, just unofficially. The risks are obvious: client data in unapproved tools, no oversight, and legal exposure if mistakes happen. However, it also shows where the real productivity gains are being made. If staff are finding ways to cut hours without permission, companies will soon have no choice but to make these tools official.
What to do by Friday:
Look at your own workflow, are you part of shadow AI? Make a list of the AI tools you’ve tried (even casually) and note what they save you. Sharing this openly with your team or manager gives you cover, and it shows leadership that safe, approved adoption is overdue.
1. Perplexity Copilot – Research With Proof Built In
What it does (in simple terms):
Perplexity is a smarter way to search the web. Instead of giving you a list of links like Google, it writes a clear answer and shows you the exact websites it used. Copilot (its “guided” mode) even asks you follow-up questions so the answer is tailored to what you really need.
10-minute setup:
Sign up – go to perplexity.ai and create a free account using your email, Google, or Apple login.
Turn on Copilot – when you ask a question, switch on the Copilot option (available on paid plans).
Ask one specific question – e.g., “What are the current VAT thresholds for UK small businesses, according to gov.uk?”
Check the sources – Perplexity lists the websites it used right under the answer. Click them to confirm the details.
Tweak the output – ask follow-ups like “Turn this into 3 bullet points for a client email” or “Explain in plain English.”
Save your result – copy the answer and the source links into your doc, email, or notes.
Use it this week:
Next time you need to pull together info for a client or manager, try Perplexity instead of Googling for an hour. Copy the summary with the sources straight into your work so you look credible and save yourself time.
Time saved:
1–2 hours per research task, plus fewer corrections later because you’re sharing answers backed by proof.
2. Rezi – The AI CV Builder That Beats the Scanners
What it does (in simple terms):
Rezi is an AI tool that helps you write and format your CV so it passes Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). These are the scanners most employers use before a human even sees your CV. Instead of guessing what keywords to use or how to format, Rezi makes sure your CV is optimised, clear, and ready to get through the filter.
10-minute setup:
Create an account – go to rezi.ai and sign up with your email or Google login.
Choose “Create New Resume” – you can upload your old CV or start fresh.
Enter your details – add your name, contact info, work history, education, and skills. Don’t worry about wording yet.
Turn on Rezi AI Writer – for each section, click the AI option and tell it what job you’re applying for. Rezi will suggest phrasing that matches what recruiters and ATS scanners look for.
Check the score – Rezi gives your CV a rating against job descriptions. The higher the score, the more likely your CV will pass the filter.
Fix and improve – use Rezi’s suggestions to add missing skills or keywords. The tool shows you exactly what’s not lining up.
Download in ATS-friendly format – when you’re happy, export as a PDF or Word file. Rezi uses clean templates that won’t break when uploaded to job boards.
Use it this week:
Upload your current CV and run it through Rezi’s AI check. Compare the score with and without the improvements. Send out at least one Rezi-optimised CV for a real job application and note if you get faster callbacks or recruiter views.
Time saved:
4–5 hours of rewriting and formatting. More importantly, Rezi makes sure your CV actually gets read by a human, not rejected by a scanner, before it has a chance.
3. Jasper – AI Writing Assistant for Posts, Emails, and Client Work
What it does (in simple terms):
Jasper is an AI writing tool designed for business use. Instead of starting from a blank page, you pick a template (LinkedIn post, blog, sales email, product description) and Jasper drafts the first version for you. You can then edit it to fit your voice. It’s built to save time for professionals who need polished writing but don’t want to spend hours doing it.
10-minute setup:
Create an account – go to jasper.ai and sign up (free trial available).
Choose a template – examples include “LinkedIn Post,” “Email,” or “Blog Post Intro.”
Fill in a few details – type in your topic, product, or idea in plain English (e.g., “New AI course for small business owners”).
Set the tone – pick from options like professional, friendly, persuasive, or casual.
Click “Generate” – Jasper will produce 2–3 versions of the text.
Edit and personalise – add your examples, stories, or details so it sounds like you.
Copy or export – use it directly in LinkedIn, email, or your website.
Use it this week:
Take one task you’ve been putting off, like writing a LinkedIn post or emailing your audience. Use Jasper to create the draft. Spend 5 minutes editing, then publish or send it out. Compare how long it took versus writing from scratch.
Time saved:
1–2 hours every time you need to draft posts, emails, or sales copy. Jasper handles the blank page problem, so you only spend time refining.
Prompt of the Week (with context)
Use case: Turn a long video, webinar, or podcast into a short LinkedIn post that shows insight and authority.
Copy/paste:
*"You are my content repurposing assistant. Take the following transcript or notes from a [video/webinar/podcast] and rewrite it as a LinkedIn post.
Start with a bold opening line that grabs attention.
Pull out 1–2 key insights or lessons in simple language.
Add a short example or story that makes it relatable.
End with one question to spark replies and engagement.
Keep it under 180 words.
Here’s the text: [paste transcript or notes]"*
Why it works: Most professionals consume hours of content but don’t share it. This prompt helps you turn what you’ve learned into a sharp, scroll-stopping LinkedIn post in minutes — positioning you as someone who has ideas worth listening to, without the struggle of writing from scratch.
Q&A of the Week
Q: “I’m scared that using AI makes me look lazy or fake. What if people think I can’t do the work myself?”
A: That fear is real, but it’s also backwards. Nobody claps for the person who spent 12 hours formatting a spreadsheet or typing a perfect email. They only care about the result.
Here’s the uncomfortable truth:
If you hide from AI because you want to “look hardworking,” you’re signalling the wrong thing, that you value struggle over impact.
The people who quietly use AI aren’t lazy; they’re the ones who’ll outpace you while you’re still polishing slide 18 at midnight.
What actually looks fake? Pretending you’re superhuman while secretly burning out.
Using AI doesn’t erase your value. It just removes the parts of work nobody will remember you for anyway. What people remember is the idea you had, the deal you closed, the time you showed up present instead of exhausted.
The bold move isn’t to hide your AI use. It’s to own it. To say: “I don’t waste energy on what a machine can do. I save it for what only I can bring.”
Got an AI question on your mind? Hit reply and send it over; your question could be the one I dive into in the very next issue. The more specific, the better.
Thanks for reading,
See you next Wednesday with more ways to cut the busywork and get your time back.
Orgesa Meli
P.S. It would mean a lot if you forward this to someone who’d benefit. I’m building a community of people who want to work smarter with AI, not just a list of names. Subscribe to my community here.
