Catching Silverfish with AI: How Janet Turned Retirement into a Tech Renaissance
We’re thrilled to be speaking with Janet Fitzpatrick-Wilks, a trailblazing leader in AI and brand development. With an extensive career that spans global leadership roles at companies like IBM, Ogilvy, and Motorola, Janet has proven herself as an innovative force in business strategy, media, and marketing.
Janet is also the founder of AI For Everyone, a platform designed to empower professionals and small business owners to confidently integrate AI into their daily operations. Janet’s unique experience in building brands and leveraging AI makes her a valuable voice in the evolving world of technology and business. Let’s dive into her incredible journey and insights.
Interviewer: Janet, your journey into AI is quite unique, especially considering you were retired and had switched off from your professional life. Can you share with us how you first got introduced to AI and what sparked your interest?
Janet: Absolutely. My journey into AI was quite unexpected. After a long career in corporate media and marketing, I decided to retire and take some time for myself. I’ve always traveled extensively though seldom with the time for ‘slow travel.’ so I spent three years just exploring different parts of the world, completely disconnecting from work. But despite the break, I realized my mind was still brimming with ideas, looking for a place to land.
The turning point came about 18 months ago when I was helping my sister with her online business. She introduced me to a couple of AI tools, and that was the moment everything changed. It was like a light bulb went off in my head. I couldn’t believe the potential of what I was seeing. AI had this incredible ability to organize and structure thoughts, which resonated deeply with me. I buried myself in learning everything I could about it, and before I knew it, I was completely hooked.
Interviewer: That’s fascinating! It sounds like AI really clicked for you on a personal level. Can you tell us more about what drew you into AI and how it fits with your thinking style?
Janet: Sure! So, I’ve always been a very idea-driven person, but my thoughts can be scattered — like a tornado of silverfish, as I like to describe it. I have ADHD, and my brain tends to work in overdrive, constantly generating ideas that are sometimes hard to grasp and organize. When I discovered AI, it was as if I had finally found a net to catch all those silverfish. AI helped me take fragmented ideas and turn them into something coherent and actionable.
I think this is one of the reasons I became so passionate about AI. It wasn’t just a tool for productivity; it became a partner in my creative process. AI allowed me to capture, refine, and develop my ideas in a way that I had never been able to before. For someone with a neurodivergent thinking style like mine, it was a game-changer.
Interviewer: That’s an incredible way to describe your experience with AI. You mentioned earlier that you launched a newsletter to encourage non-tech professionals, especially women, to engage with AI. What inspired you to take that step, and what have you observed about gender disparities in AI adoption?
Janet: My initial interest in AI quickly expanded when I started noticing a significant gender gap in AI adoption, particularly among women in non-technical roles. As I dove deeper into the technology, I realized that while women in fields like procurement and marketing were embracing AI, there was still a large number of women who were hesitant to engage with it. In fact, research shows that women in non-technical roles are lagging behind their male counterparts by about 20 percentage points in AI adoption.
This gap was concerning to me because it meant that women in these roles could become disproportionately vulnerable as AI continues to transform the job market. I felt compelled to do something about it, so I launched a newsletter aimed at educating and encouraging more women to explore AI. My goal was to bridge that gap and provide resources and support to help women feel more confident and capable in using AI.
Interviewer: That’s a noble mission, and it’s clear that you’re passionate about it. What challenges have you faced in trying to get more women involved in AI, and what successes have you seen so far?
Janet: One of the biggest challenges has been overcoming the initial hesitation that many women have about AI. There’s a perception that AI is too technical or that it’s only relevant for people in IT or data science. But the truth is, AI has applications across so many fields, and you don’t need to be a tech expert to use it effectively.
The successes have been incredibly rewarding. Since launching the newsletter, I’ve seen more and more women start to engage with AI, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Women are beginning to see how AI can enhance their work and open up new opportunities. It’s been inspiring to watch them gain confidence and start to experiment with AI in their own ways.
Interviewer: You’ve mentioned that AI has played a significant role in your own creative process. Can you share some of the tools you use and how they’ve helped you in your work?
Janet: Absolutely! I’ve experimented with a variety of AI tools, and each one has brought something unique to the table. I believe everyone should have their own ‘right hand assistant’ and for me that’s Anthropic’s Claude 3.5 Sonnet. It’s a brilliant model, and I use it for many tasks from ideas, frameworks, research, reports and more. Claude has a project space feature that acts like an institutional memory, storing all your project-related materials in one place. This allows me to ask more informed questions and have more cohesive conversations.
For creating images, I use MidJourney, an AI tool that generates high-quality illustrations. These have been invaluable for my presentations and newsletters, allowing me to create visually engaging content with minimal effort. Hey Gen is a great tool for creating avatar-led video presentations — I’ve even cloned myself — and translating them in real-time into multiple languages. I also recently discovered Gamma, a platform that automates the creation of presentations. It’s been a real time-saver — just upload your content, and Gamma formats it into a professional-looking presentation in no time.
Interviewer: It sounds like you’ve built quite an efficient workflow with AI. Given your experience, what advice would you give to someone who’s just starting to explore AI?
Janet: My biggest piece of advice is to approach AI with curiosity and an open mind. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different tools and see what works best for you. Start small — try using AI for tasks you’re already familiar with and gradually explore more complex applications as you become more comfortable.
It’s also important to understand the ethical implications of AI, particularly when it comes to data privacy and security. Make sure you’re using ethical AI tools that prioritize these considerations. And most importantly, treat AI as a collaborator, not just a tool. Engage with it, ask it questions, and use it to refine your ideas. In fact, my mantra is ‘just ask AI’ so even if you don’t know how AI can help you, simply ask Claude or another assistant. You’ll be amazed at what it can do. AI can be a powerful partner if you approach it with the right mindset.
Interviewer: Speaking of the future, where do you see AI heading in the next few years, especially in terms of its impact on industries like marketing and procurement?
Janet: I think AI is going to become increasingly integral to these industries. In marketing, we’re already seeing AI being used for complex market analyses, competitor insights, micro-targeting and predictive analytics, content and copywriting, allowing companies to approach marketing with unprecedented precision. As AI continues to evolve, I expect it to become even more contextually aware and capable of delivering highly personalized content at scale.
In procurement, AI will likely play a major role in automating and optimizing processes like spend analysis, supplier management, and contract negotiations. These are areas where women are either well represented or overrepresented, so it’s crucial that they engage with AI and develop the skills needed to work alongside these technologies.
However, it’s important to approach AI adoption thoughtfully. We need to ensure that ethical considerations are at the forefront of AI development and implementation. This means prioritizing transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in how we use AI.
Interviewer: You’ve touched on some of the challenges that come with integrating AI into professional environments. What do you think organizations can do to support their employees, especially women, in adapting to AI?
Janet: Organizations play a key role in making AI accessible to their employees. They can start by providing training and resources that help employees understand how AI can enhance their work. This is particularly important for women in non-technical roles who may feel intimidated by AI. Companies should also encourage a culture of experimentation, where employees are free to explore AI tools and applications without fear of failure.
Another important step is to ensure that AI initiatives are inclusive. This means involving women in the development and implementation of AI projects and considering the unique challenges they may face in adapting to new technologies. By taking these steps, organizations can help close the gender gap in AI adoption and create a more equitable workplace.
Interviewer: Janet, your insights are incredibly valuable, and it’s clear that you’re making a significant impact in the AI community. As we wrap up, what’s next for you? Any new projects or goals on the horizon?
Janet: I’m always looking for new ways to engage with AI and share what I’ve learned with others. Right now, I’m focused on growing my newsletter and reaching a wider audience. My goal is to continue providing valuable resources and insights to help women and other underrepresented groups embrace AI.
I’m also working on a few digital guides and e-books that delve deeper into specific AI tools and strategies. These are designed to be practical, hands-on resources that anyone can use to start their own AI journey. And of course, I’m always experimenting with new AI tools and platforms to see how they can enhance my work and help others do the same.
Interviewer: Where can the audience find your Newsletter and Guides?
Janet: At www.ai-foreveryone.com. It’s free, delivered each Sunday, and I like to think it’s packed with ‘good stuff’ 🙂
Interviewer: Thank you so much for sharing your journey and insights with us, Janet. It’s been a pleasure speaking with you, and we’re excited to see where your work takes you next.
Janet: Thank you! It’s been great chatting with you as well. I’m looking forward to continuing this journey and seeing how AI evolves in the years to come.
