Ever struggle to get the right facial expression for a YouTube thumbnail or LinkedIn image? I just created an amazing array of headshots using Gemini + Canva with different emotions while staying close to my actual likeness and personal brand. A few things I liked about it: - Different expressions gave me more thumbnail options - Asking for a little more torso made the images easier to use in layouts - Pulling the final image into Canva made the design side fast and flexible This is one of those small use cases that can be surprisingly practical if you create content regularly. Sometimes the hardest part of a thumbnail is not the design. It is finding the right look to match the message. Have you tried using AI for headshots, expressions, or thumbnail concepts yet? View Now (2.5 Minutes - Yes that is it) https://youtu.be/LbYtViAilGQ?si=ghFk8mgVWFVkVe9O

We just crossed 600 members in AI Bits & Pieces. Consistent growth from day one, fueled by people trying to understand what AI actually means for their work and day-to-day life—and how it can help them stand out in the workforce, business environment, or executive ranks. That’s been the goal from the start. A place for: 🔵 AI Curious — figuring out what this all is 🟢 AI Enthusiasts — using it regularly 🟠 AI Practitioners — applying it to real work 🟣 Enterprise — thinking about scale across teams What’s been interesting isn’t just the number—it’s the mix of people and the conversations starting to take shape. Members are building small things. Members are asking in-depth questions. And members are starting to connect the dots between tools and outcomes. A special shoutout to each and every member, and the people who have supported me from the beginning: @Michele Wacht @Dena Dion @Debra Schmitt @Patti Hoekstra @Mark Zayec @Matthew Sutherland @Jason Hagen @Usman Mohammed @Nick Mohler @Eduard Friesen We have some exciting updates and new offerings for the community designed to help you win the AI game in life, at work, as a business owner, or as an agency. A heartfelt thank you. Michael

We were at dinner with a friend, @Mark Zayec, for his birthday. As we were exchanging AI stories he started telling us about an interaction he had with ChatGPT. For the past year, he’s been speaking small amounts of Italian and French into it — mostly to help himself learn. He’ll throw in things like, “Buongiornata mio fratello 🇮🇹.” On that day, ChatGPT responded in such a way he needed help with the interpretation? Therefore, he cut and pasted it into Google Translate to interpret it?” 🤔 I said, “Wait… so you spoke to ChatGPT in Italian instead of English, it responded in Italian… and then you needed it interpreted?” “And then you cut and pasted it into Google Translate to interpret it?” He chuckled, and said “yes.” Anticipating what was coming next. Without even thinking, I said, “Why didn’t you just ask it to interpret it in plain English?” We all looked at each other, and busted out laughing. 😂 This was a perfect illustration as to how we are still wired to think tool-to-tool instead of conversation-to-conversation. Even when we’re already inside the interface, our instinct is to jump somewhere else instead of just continuing the dialogue. You can say: “Translate that.” “Explain that in English.” “Rewrite that more simply.” It’s not about perfect prompting. Or jumping to another app or tool. It’s about realizing you can just keep talking. That’s AI in Real Life. Note: Animated comic created with Nano Banana 2.

We just crossed the 500-member mark here at AI Bits & Pieces. Wow! When I started this community, I simply felt that AI was becoming something bigger than tools or trends. It felt like true a shift in the way we would interact with technology — and I wanted to create a place where people could learn, explore, and apply it in a thoughtful way. What makes this milestone meaningful isn’t just the number. It’s the people. We have members who are: - Just beginning their AI journey - Deepening their prompting fluency - Building real systems and automations - Applying AI inside established businesses That range matters. It creates perspective. It creates better conversations. It creates learning in both directions. To everyone who has contributed, asked questions, shared insight, encouraged others, or quietly followed along — thank you. Your presence shapes this space. We’re going to continue refining the classroom, adding live sessions, and building clearer paths for each stage of the AI journey. I’m grateful you’re here. Thank you, @Michael Wacht

I was very excited to try the new Oakley Meta HSTN Transitions® AI Glasses. Short Review: A Strong Concept, Still Early Full Review: I recently spent time testing the Oakley Meta HSTN Transitions® AI glasses, and while I genuinely like the direction Meta and Oakley are heading, my overall takeaway is that this product still feels more like an early glimpse of the future than a finished, everyday device. This specific model combines Oakley’s sport-forward HSTN frame design with Transitions® lenses that automatically shift from clear to tinted based on lighting conditions. On paper, it sounds like an ideal blend of performance eyewear and AI-powered convenience. In real-world use, though, the experience is more nuanced. What These Glasses Are — and Aren’t: An important expectation to set up front: there is no visual display. Nothing appears in your field of view. All interaction happens through audio and voice commands. That design choice keeps the glasses lightweight and familiar, but it also defines the experience. These are not augmented reality glasses. They function more like hands-free AI-enabled audio glasses with cameras. Key Features: This model brings together several notable features: - Transitions® lenses that adapt automatically between indoor and outdoor lighting - Open-ear audio built into the frame for music, calls, and spoken responses - Hands-free voice control for asking questions, capturing photos or video, and triggering actions - Dual built-in cameras integrated into the frame - Sport-oriented Oakley design, clearly intended for outdoor and active use From a hardware perspective, this is a meaningful step forward compared to earlier Meta frames. The Oakley design finally makes the concept feel purposeful rather than experimental. What Works Well: The audio quality is better than expected, particularly outdoors. Music, calls, and spoken responses come through clearly without fully blocking ambient sound — an important detail for safety and awareness during activity.