Open-Source, Copyright Wars, and AI at Work

Good Morning, Leaders!

Today, we’re cutting through the noise to break down what matters: how AI is reshaping productivity, why investors are betting on open-source, and the latest battle between Hollywood and tech over copyright. Let’s dive in.

The Future of Work in an AI World: Why Productivity Isn’t Just About Doing More

AI is coming for your busy work, but maybe that’s a good thing. Last week, we explored how companies are betting on efficiency over scale when it comes to AI. But how does this apply to managing our workforce?

The future of work isn’t about squeezing more tasks into the same 40-hour week; it’s about shifting the focus from low-value execution to high-impact decision-making. AI-driven productivity is less about “doing more” and more about “doing better.”

Enterprises that understand this shift will gain an edge. Instead of measuring output in tasks completed, AI-powered companies will measure impact—how much value is created per unit of effort.

The winners? Teams that know how to leverage AI as an intelligent collaborator rather than just an automation tool.

What enterprise leaders should be thinking about:

1. Task elimination vs. task optimization: AI shouldn’t just speed up your to-do list; it should eliminate unnecessary steps entirely.

2. AI-powered augmentation: The best-performing teams will be those who learn to work alongside AI, using it for rapid insights while focusing human effort on creativity and strategy.

3. The skills shift: Enterprise talent strategies need to evolve. Expect a pivot from “How fast can we do this?” to “How much more impact can we have with AI?”

Bottom line? AI-driven productivity isn’t about adding more to the plate—it’s about redefining what belongs on the plate in the first place.

Airbus Ventures Invests in Featherless.ai: Open-Source AI for All

Another day, another AI funding round—but this one matters. Airbus Ventures is backing Featherless.ai, a company on a mission to democratize access to open-source AI models.

The significance? We’re watching the battle lines between open-source and closed AI models harden. While giants like OpenAI and Anthropic double down on proprietary ecosystems, companies like Featherless are pushing for open accessibility. And Airbus Ventures sees the strategic value in that.

Why should enterprises care?

• Vendor lock-in is real. Open-source alternatives provide a hedge against becoming too reliant on closed AI ecosystems.

• Regulatory pressure is coming. Governments are already scrutinizing AI ownership and access. Open-source models could be a safer long-term bet.

• The talent factor. Some of the brightest AI minds prefer to work in open ecosystems. Enterprises embracing open-source AI will have better hiring leverage.

While the open-source vs. proprietary debate rages on, Airbus Ventures just made its bet clear—and enterprises should take notes.

Jack Dorsey’s AI Assistant, Goose, Is Taking Flight

Like Featherless, Jack Dorsey wants you to meet Goose—his AI assistant that’s making waves in open-source circles. Unlike other AI assistants, Goose is designed for decentralized, privacy-first interactions, and it’s already gaining traction.

The AI assistant space is crowded (see: ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and now Copilot+ PCs), so what makes Goose different?

• It’s open-source. Developers can modify, customize, and integrate Goose as they see fit.

• It prioritizes user control. Unlike most AI assistants that operate in black boxes, Goose is designed with transparency in mind.

• It’s banking on community adoption. Decentralized AI projects thrive when they have an engaged developer base—something Goose is already attracting.

For enterprises, the takeaway is clear: the AI assistant wars aren’t just about who builds the best model, but who controls it. And in a world where data privacy is a growing concern, a decentralized AI assistant might just find its niche.

Hollywood vs. AI: A-List Celebs Push Back on Copyright Exploitation

OpenAI (ChatGPT) and Google (Oracle), both submitted letters to the Office of Science and Technology Policy this month, arguing that AI developers should have the right to use copyrighted materials for training models as part of a broader AI action plan.

In response, over 400 Hollywood heavyweights are making it clear—they don’t want AI companies training on their work without consent (or compensation). In an open letter to Donald Trump, they urged him to prevent AI firms from exploiting copyrighted material without proper licensing.

Why should enterprises care?

• Regulatory scrutiny is inevitable. AI-generated content trained on copyrighted material could lead to lawsuits, licensing headaches, and reputational risks.

• Original content just got more valuable. As AI-driven media generation grows, legally protected, human-created content will become a premium asset.

• AI model transparency will become a business priority. Enterprises leveraging AI-generated content will need to audit where and how that content is sourced.

The broader question remains—how do we balance AI innovation with creative ownership?

TL;DR:

• AI productivity isn’t about doing more—it’s about working smarter. Enterprises need to redefine efficiency in an AI-driven world.

• Airbus Ventures is backing Featherless.ai, signaling a serious commitment to open-source AI as a hedge against proprietary models.

• Jack Dorsey’s AI assistant, Goose, is taking off with an open-source, privacy-first approach. Decentralized AI assistants could be the next wave.

• Hollywood is drawing a line in the sand on AI training data. Expect more legal and regulatory battles over copyright protection in AI-generated content.

The AI landscape is evolving fast. Smart enterprises aren’t just watching—they’re positioning themselves to navigate the shifts before they happen. We’ll be back tomorrow with more hot takes and the latest AI headlines, who knows what changes between now and then!

Stay sharp,

Cat Valverde
Founder, Enterprise AI Solutions
Navigating Tomorrow’s Tech Landscape Together