I Quit. I Can’t Keep Up.
Why You Don’t Need to Chase Every New AI Model and Microsoft Work Trend Report
The other day, someone looked at me, wide-eyed and overwhelmed, and said, “That’s it. I quit. I can’t keep up with AI. There’s a new model every five minutes.”
I hear this a lot. And honestly? It’s a valid feeling.
With AI moving at warp speed, it’s easy to feel like if you’re not using the absolute newest version of [insert latest model here], you’re already behind. But let me offer you a different perspective:
You don’t have to keep up with every new model.
Think of AI like email. Most of us use one of a few core platforms: Outlook, Gmail, or Apple Mail. These platforms update over time, sure, but we’re not out there switching email providers every month just because a new one popped up. We pick one that fits our needs and grow with it.
AI is the same. There are a handful of core AI models—OpenAI (ChatGPT), Microsoft (CoPilot), Google (Gemini), Anthropic (Claude), Meta (LLaMA), and a few others. You don’t need all of them. You don’t need to constantly jump ship to whatever’s shiny and new. You need to:
Start small
Pick one that works for you
Focus on use cases that matter
Then, as your comfort and strategy mature, you can evaluate if it makes sense to adopt another model or expand into a new use case.
You’re not behind. You’re just being strategic and intentional.
This is not about chasing hype. This is about solving real problems in your workflow.
Whatever it is, pick one lane, build confidence, and then explore from there.
AI isn’t a race. It’s a toolbox. Use what works. Ignore the rest (for now).
And most importantly, don’t quit. You’re closer than you think.
You are reading the above and your brain goes into the “what ifs”:
“But if we’re not on the latest model, aren’t we missing out on better performance and capabilities?”
Counter:
That’s true in theory newer models often are more powerful. But the question is: do you actually need that power right now? For most business use cases (summarizing, drafting, analyzing, automating routine tasks), models like ChatGPT, CoPilot, Claude, or Gemini Pro are already more than capable. Jumping to a newer version before maximizing your current one can create more confusion than progress. Optimize before you upgrade.
“Our competitors are probably using the latest AI. Shouldn’t we be too?”
Counter:
Competitor envy can be a distraction. What gives you a competitive edge isn’t which model you use it’s how you use it. Are your people trained? Is it integrated into your workflows? Are you actually saving time and making better decisions with it? Most organizations haven’t even adopted AI consistently across teams. You’ll stand out by being focused, not frantic.
“The field is evolving too fast by the time we adopt something, it’s outdated.”
Counter:
That’s the paradox: waiting for the perfect moment means you’ll always be late. Instead, think of AI like a software subscription it’ll update, and your tools will improve over time. Pick a stable platform (like ChatGPT, CoPilot or Gemini), build your capabilities, and grow with it. You don’t need to pause adoption until the dust settles because it never will.
“We don’t know which model is ‘right,’ so we’re stuck evaluating them all.”
Counter:
You don’t need to “marry” an AI model. Think of your first model as a pilot. Choose one based on your use case and budget. Build use cases, document ROI, gather feedback, and only then explore alternatives if needed. The value is in the use case, not the model logo.
Plus, you have me to keep you up to date on all things AI. 😉
Microsoft Work Index Report April 2025
Great video interview of the lead researcher from Microsoft on this Index Report.
2025: The Year Every Employee Becomes an Agent Boss
If you’ve ever felt like your team is doing more with less and still falling behind, this one’s for you.
According to Microsoft’s just-released 2025 Work Trend Index, the workplace is undergoing a transformation on par with the internet boom. And at the center of it? Not just smarter tools, but AI agents, digital coworkers that can think, plan, and execute.
They call it the rise of the Frontier Firm.
Gone are the days when AI was just for IT. Now, every department from marketing to ops is hiring AI, not just people. And employees? They're not just using AI tools… they’re managing them. The term “Agent Boss” isn’t science fiction; it’s this year’s job description.
Here’s the big shift:
💡 Human capacity has hit its limit.
⏱️ 275 interruptions a day.
🧠 Burnout is up. Productivity isn’t.
🚀 AI is filling the gap, and it’s doing it fast.
But this isn’t plug-and-play. It requires new thinking. Instead of asking, “How can we add AI?” leaders should ask:
“How can we redesign the way we work with AI?”
Think movie production, not a traditional org chart. Agile teams that spin up around goals. Fluid roles where humans provide strategy and oversight, while agents handle research, workflows, and even customer service.
What should leaders do next?
Start hiring digital coworkers (AI agents).
Upskill your team to become Agent Bosses.
Set your human-agent ratio strategically.
AI literacy is now the most in-demand skill of the year. This is your moment to lead the shift.
Because the question is no longer if AI will change your business… it’s how fast you’ll adapt.
Microsoft report here and below: https://assets-c4akfrf5b4d3f4b7.z01.azurefd.net/assets/2025/04/2025_Work_Trend_Index_Annual_Report_68090b01f298e.pdf
Top Takeaways for Businesses
AI Agents Are Rewriting the Org Chart
We're entering the era of the Frontier Firm organizations powered by hybrid human + AI teams. These teams are leaner, faster, and structured around outcomes, not departments.The New Role: Agent Boss
Every employee will soon manage AI agents. Leaders must prepare their people to design, guide, and collaborate with AI just like onboarding new team members.Productivity Needs Outpace Human Capacity
82% of leaders say productivity must rise, yet 80% of employees feel maxed out. Digital labor isn’t optional, it’s the lever for scaling impact.AI Is Filling the Capacity Gap
Agents are more than tools, they are digital coworkers. Companies already using them at scale report higher performance, faster innovation, and reduced chaos.AI Skilling Is the New Mandate
47% of leaders list upskilling as a top strategy. AI fluency is no longer optional; it’s a business-critical skill across every level.Don’t Wait Redesign Now
Leaders must move past pilots and begin reimagining processes from the ground up. This isn’t about layering AI on top of old workflows, it’s about reinventing them.Measure Your Human-Agent Ratio
The question isn’t if you’ll use AI agents, it’s how many and where. Optimizing this balance is a new strategic metric.
What is an AI Agent?https://kendratech.substack.com/p/2025-is-the-year-of-ai-agents
2025 AI Adventures
New events are added weekly. Since our community spans over 31 states, we’re making it easier than ever for you to join the conversation from anywhere. These new virtual sessions are designed to be interactive and packed with real-world insights you can apply immediately.
May
May 6 CincyAI from 3-5 EST at UC Digital Futures building. Free to attend. Only a few spots left. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cincyai-for-humans-tickets-1234877183899?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
May 8 SMPS hosting a 2-hour workshop, dive into the world of AI-driven sales and marketing strategies with hands-on experience tailored to real-world scenarios. 2:30-4:30 EST at Bricker Graydon. https://greatercincinnatismps.org/meetinginfo.php?id=372&ts=1741785372
May 9 from 9-12 EST. Introduction to AI in partnership with Max Technical Training. This is a virtual live class led by Kendra Ramirez. This class is eligible for Tech Cred which is reimbursed by the State of Ohio. https://maxtrain.com/artificial-intelligence/general-artificial-intelligence-and-business-applications/introduction-to-ai/
May 16 Power to Pursue 9-5 pm at Music Hall Every woman deserves to be seen, heard, and loved. That is the foundational belief of the Power to Pursue Summit, an annual event where women gather to eliminate barriers and embrace the power of their authentic selves. I am leading a session at 9:50-10:45 on Empowering Women with AI, and with 8 other AI Coaches to assist all the women with some AI practice. https://www.cincinnatiarts.org/events/detail/power-to-pursue-25
June
June 10-12 Cincy AI Week https://www.cincyaiweek.com/
Over 1000 attendees last year and 150 speakers. Use discount code CincyAI50.
June 17 CincyAI from 3-5 EST at UC Digital Futures building. Free to attend.
June 20 from 9-12 EST. Introduction to AI in partnership with Max Technical Training. This is a virtual live class led by Kendra Ramirez. This class is eligible for Tech Cred which is reimbursed by the State of Ohio. https://maxtrain.com/artificial-intelligence/general-artificial-intelligence-and-business-applications/introduction-to-ai/
I love answering your AI questions. Feel free to message me.
Where AI and inspiration collide!
Kendra Ramirez
KendraRamirez.com
We provide AI Speaking and Training, AI Readiness Assessments, AI Strategy, AI roadmap and implementation, and AI Coaching for small to mid-size businesses and nonprofits.
**For those new to my work, I have been in tech my whole career. Over 15 years of running my digital agency (website, social media, and lead generation) and 7 years of helping businesses navigate AI. Over the past two years, I’ve had the privilege of leading over 100 training and speaking sessions, empowering businesses to embrace the transformative potential of AI. My passion lies in simplifying complex technologies to help organizations grow, innovate, and thrive in an ever-changing landscape.
I am so excited that you are on this journey with me! Thank you! 🤗
I have been writing weekly about AI here for over two years. You can search all of my enewsletters here if you are looking to brush up on a certain topic. kendratech.substack.com