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Hi Reader,
What a week! Straight on the heels of speaking about AI to a group of VAs at a conference in Spartanburg, SC, my “Front Row Advisory Board” is joining me on Sullivan’s Island this weekend to build some amazing AI automations and integrations.
(While we were waiting for the couple of people who were still on their way, we had to rush out to see the sunset over the marsh!)
This week’s AI news shows just how fast the major players are closing the gap between content creation, task automation, and real human support. OpenAI made a huge splash with the launch of its Sora app—a full-on TikTok competitor built on generative video. Meanwhile, ChatGPT is stepping into e-commerce, Claude is now embedded in Slack, and Microsoft just gave its Office suite true AI project management powers with Agent Mode. There’s also major movement from Meta, Google, and Amazon—all making their tools more interactive, helpful, and… well, unavoidable.
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Big News of the Week
OpenAI Launches Sora App + Sora 2 Model
OpenAI is moving into social video with Sora, its TikTok competitor, plus Sora 2, an upgraded video generation model. The app lets you scroll endless AI-generated videos, remix clips, and create content instantly with prompts — a direct challenge to TikTok and Instagram Reels.
OpenAI Unveils Agentic Shopping System
ChatGPT can now browse online stores, compare products, and even handle multi-step purchases for you. This puts OpenAI directly against Google and Amazon in the e-commerce space, aiming to become your go-to AI for shopping.
ChatGPT Business Plans Add Team Projects
Business plans now support team projects with shared context and files. You can collaborate with teammates inside ChatGPT, pull in data from Gmail, Calendar, Teams, GitHub, and more, without re-explaining every time. OpenAI says this will expand to other plans soon.
Claude Comes to Slack to Unlock Smarter Work
Claude can now draft messages, summarize discussions, prep meetings, and analyze documents in Slack — all while respecting existing permissions. Available via the Slack Marketplace, it works directly in your workspace or through connected Claude apps.
Meta to Use AI Chats for Targeted Ads
Starting December 16, Meta will use data from your chats with Meta AI and other AI features to target ads across Facebook and Instagram. Sensitive topics won’t be used, but you can’t opt out. This excludes stricter regions like the EU, UK, and South Korea.
Google Expands AI Mode for Shopping
AI Mode now supports visual search. Snap a photo of a product, and you’ll get AI-powered suggestions, comparisons, and buying options across retailers.
Amazon Debuts New Echo Lineup With Alexa AI
Amazon’s latest Echo speakers and smart displays now include upgraded generative AI. Alexa is more conversational and proactive, with better memory and smarter recommendations — making it feel like real assistance instead of scripted responses.
Microsoft Office Gets Agent Mode Powered by Claude
Agent Mode goes beyond Copilot. It can manage multi-step workflows like drafting an email, creating a presentation, and pulling data into Excel — all in one flow. Powered by Claude, it’s rolling out across Office apps to give you an AI that actively manages tasks.
Microsoft Tests AI Auto-Categorization in Photos
Photos can now automatically sort images into themes and events — like vacations, family gatherings, or food shots — without you tagging them. Another step in Microsoft’s push to make everyday apps more intelligent and less manual.
↩️ Don’t miss out: Did you miss our last newsletter? We featured Google Search’s new live AI voice search that lets you talk instead of typing. It understands natural language, remembers context, and even allows follow-up questions like a real conversation. English is available first, with more languages on the way. Check it here! |
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HEY, VAs!!
New: The Front Row VA AI Accelerator (Live Beta) is officially open for enrollment.
If you are a virtual assistant, or you’re working with a VA who could use more AI training, take a look at this: the Front Row VA AI Accelerator (Live Beta) is now open.
It’s a hands-on program to help VAs increase AI competency and skill development. You’ll get live training, ready-to-sell AI service packages, plug-and-play workflows, and direct coaching so you can work smarter, charge more, and become the VA clients can't live without.
As a founding member, you’ll also get lifetime access, extra coaching, and the rare opportunity to help shape the program as it launches.
Spots are limited for this beta round.
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Prompt of the Week
Your next professional headshot is a prompt away.
Generate polished, business-ready headshots and creative portraits with Nano Banana—no expensive equipment or complex editing software needed.
Here are a few prompting tips to consider.
Prompt:
A professional, high-resolution, profile photo, maintaining the exact facial structure, identity, and key features of the person in the input image. The subject is framed from the chest up, with ample headroom and negative space above their head, ensuring the top of their head is not cropped. The person looks directly at the camera, and the subject's body is also directly facing the camera. They are styled for a professional photo studio shoot, wearing a smart casual blazer. The background is a solid '#141414' neutral studio. Shot from a high angle with bright and airy soft, diffused studio lighting, gently illuminating the face and creating a subtle catchlight in the eyes, conveying a sense of clarity. Captured on an 85mm f/1.8 lens with a shallow depth of field, exquisite focus on the eyes, and beautiful, soft bokeh. Observe crisp detail on the fabric texture of the blazer, individual strands of hair, and natural, realistic skin texture. The atmosphere exudes confidence, professionalism, and approachability. Clean and bright cinematic color grading with subtle warmth and balanced tones, ensuring a polished and contemporary feel.
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JOIN THE COMMUNITY 🤝
Save 5+ Hours This Week with the Front Row AI Club
If you're feeling buried under a mountain of AI tools and strategies—and constantly wondering how to keep up—you’re not alone.
That’s exactly why we created the Front Row AI Club.
It’s your fast track to working smarter, not harder—designed specifically for online entrepreneurs who want to use AI to grow faster, streamline tasks, and reclaim their time.
In just 7 days, most members:
- Cut 5+ hours from their weekly workload
- Save $500–$1,000/month by automating repetitive tasks
- Replace overwhelm with confidence using AI
As a member, you’ll get:
- Plug-and-play AI automations built for real business needs
- Live workshops and Q&As with step-by-step guidance
- The newest strategies (always tested before we recommend them)
- An uplifting community of like-minded entrepreneurs
- Instant access to our entire library of prompts
While others are stuck trying to figure it all out on their own, Front Row AI Club members are already using AI to do less and earn more.
P.S. You don’t need to be a tech wizard. If you’re running an online business, you’re already qualified to use AI to save time and money—starting today.
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The ZenithMind Blueprint
I’ve been deep in my own work lately (and on an incredible vacation!), but I came across something from Rich Schefren that felt worth sharing with you.
You probably know his name — he’s been behind the scenes guiding some of the biggest names in online business for decades. Every now and then, he surfaces with something that really shifts how people think about business and productivity.
This time, he’s created what he calls his biggest breakthrough yet — a self-paced, AI-powered system he calls The Blueprint. It’s designed to help you remove your biggest success blockers in just a few minutes a day. I would definitely file this under “self-improvement”.
I haven’t seen anything quite like it, and knowing how deeply Rich thinks about this stuff, I thought it might be worth passing along.
Here’s the link if you want to take a look.
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