The state of AI-ready talent.
Based on 125 AI projects from our talent network, we uncovered the one trait that separates extraordinary AI talent from everyone else. We created a detailed report about our findings and are offering exclusive access to the insights before it’s officially released. Request early access, and our team will reach out to share how to find this talent on your team and in the market.
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Introducing The Builder's Mindset
We set out to understand how creative and marketing professionals are actually using AI. We gathered stories from talent about 125 real-world projects: what problem they solved, what they built, and what they achieved. We expected to find patterns in tools, skills, and technical aptitude. Instead, we found something else entirely.
The most sophisticated AI work is happening across all disciplines, all company sizes, and all backgrounds. A Motion Designer, a Content Strategist, an Account Manager, a UX Designer—different roles, different industries, different skill sets. But they all shared one thing: a builder's mindset. They see what's broken, missing, or not yet possible. They don't wait for a roadmap or someone else to solve it. They build.
For leaders, that changes everything. You don't need to overhaul your team or launch a transformation initiative. You need people with this mindset. Give them real problems and room to work, and they'll find solutions you didn't know were possible.
Insights
Three levels of AI usage
We observed three distinct types of AI usage across our research. While some are using AI incidentally or for productivity enhancements, a cohort emerged that uses it in a completely transformational manner, removing constraints that previously existed and unlocking capabilities that weren't possible before.
The landscape of transformative AI work
Transformative AI isn't just one thing. We mapped five distinct categories of how builders are reshaping what's possible—from automation to agentic systems. The work happening in your industry might surprise you.
Understanding the Builder's Mindset
IEvery transformative story we analyzed revealed the same pattern. We identified five core traits that separate builders from everyone else, and they have almost nothing to do with technical background or job title.
Finding talent with the Builder's Mindset
We identified exactly what to look for in interviews, on resumes, and in conversations. We discovered five signals that separate someone who's read about AI from someone who's actually built with it.
