Amazon Advises AI Skills While Job Seekers Use ChatGPT and Gemini

The influence of artificial intelligence continues to expand rapidly across various sectors, from entertainment and business to education and social interaction, while also presenting new ethical and regulatory challenges. On November 11, 2025, ElevenLabs launched its "Iconic Voice Marketplace," allowing companies to license AI-replicated voices of famous figures for content and advertisements. This platform, recently valued at approximately $6.6 billion, facilitates deals between brands and celebrity representatives, ensuring ethical sourcing and fair compensation. Noteworthy figures like Matthew McConaughey and Michael Caine have partnered with ElevenLabs; McConaughey even invested in the company and uses its technology to translate his newsletter, "Lyrics of Livin'," into Spanish audio. Michael Caine's distinctive voice is also available for licensed AI-generated use, alongside historical figures such as Mark Twain and Babe Ruth. Caine believes the technology helps amplify voices and supports new storytellers. In the business world, AI is reshaping strategies and job markets. AWS CEO Matt Garman advised job seekers on November 11, 2025, to cultivate strong soft skills, particularly critical thinking, adaptability, and communication, as humans will excel in areas where AI struggles, such as creative problem-solving. Utah universities are already adapting their programs, with Southern Utah University offering an AI ethics minor and the University of Utah launching a new AI minor next fall, preparing students for AI-transformed jobs. Meanwhile, AI startups like Anthropic are rewriting traditional growth rules, with compute costs replacing code as the primary expense and gross margins shifting. Real estate titan Barry Sternlicht, CEO of Starwood Capital Group, stated on November 11, 2025, his intent to replace employees with AI, noting a chatbot costing $36 a month could perform the work of 15 people. His company has invested $20 billion in data centers, monitoring the creditworthiness of tenants like Oracle, which deals with ChatGPT. Job seekers are also learning to optimize resumes for AI screening systems and use tools like ChatGPT and Gemini for interview practice. However, AI's rapid advancement also brings significant risks and regulatory considerations. Businesses face a dual challenge: innovating with AI while defending against its disruptive potential, managing both internal project risks and external enterprise risks. On the regulatory front, India unveiled flexible AI development guidelines on November 10, 2025, emphasizing self-regulation and a "Do No Harm" principle, and proposing amendments to IT rules requiring social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram to label AI-generated content to combat misinformation. The darker side of AI was highlighted by an incident in Lafourche Parish, where a Sixth Ward Middle School student was charged on August 26, 2025, with 10 counts of unlawful dissemination for sharing AI-generated nude images of female classmates, underscoring the ease of creating such images and the legal ramifications under laws like Act 142. Amidst these developments, a new startup called Friend, founded by Avi Schiffmann, aims to reinvent social interaction and friendship using AI technology, further illustrating AI's pervasive reach into human experience.

Key Takeaways

• ElevenLabs launched its "Iconic Voice Marketplace" on November 11, 2025, allowing companies to license AI-replicated voices of famous figures.
• ElevenLabs was recently valued at approximately $6.6 billion, with Matthew McConaughey investing in the company and Michael Caine joining its marketplace.
• A Sixth Ward Middle School student in Lafourche Parish faces 10 criminal charges for sharing AI-generated nude images of female classmates, highlighting misuse concerns.
• AWS CEO Matt Garman advises job seekers to develop strong soft skills, especially critical thinking, for the AI era.
• Utah universities are adapting programs to prepare students for AI-transformed jobs, emphasizing critical thinking and AI ethics.
• AI startups, including Anthropic, are changing traditional business growth models, with compute costs becoming a primary expense and gross margins around 40-50%.
• Real estate CEO Barry Sternlicht plans to replace employees with AI, stating a $36/month chatbot could do the work of 15 people.
• Starwood Capital Group, led by Barry Sternlicht, has invested $20 billion in data centers, monitoring tenants like Oracle, which deals with ChatGPT.
• India adopted flexible AI regulation guidelines on November 10, 2025, focusing on self-regulation, a "Do No Harm" principle, and requiring social media platforms to label AI-generated content.
• Job seekers are advised to optimize resumes for AI screening systems and utilize AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini for interview preparation.

ElevenLabs launches AI voice marketplace with famous figures

ElevenLabs launched an online marketplace on November 11, 2025, allowing companies to license AI-replicated voices of famous figures for content and advertisements. The platform connects companies with voice rights owners, with ElevenLabs handling the licensing and voice synthesis. It ensures voices are generated with permission, transparency, and fair compensation. Available voices include Michael Caine, Liza Minelli, and historical figures like Mark Twain, Thomas Edison, and Alan Turing. Michael Caine stated that the company amplifies voices and helps new storytellers.

ElevenLabs offers famous AI voices for brands and creators

ElevenLabs launched an "iconic voice marketplace" on November 11, 2025, allowing brands to license AI-generated voices of celebrities, both living and historical. This platform streamlines deals between companies and celebrity representatives or estates for commercial messages. Dustin Blank, head of partnerships, stated they aim to build a library of iconic voices for various creative projects. Matthew McConaughey also invested in ElevenLabs and uses its technology to translate his newsletter "Lyrics of Livin'" into Spanish. The marketplace includes voices like Michael Caine, Lana Turner, and Babe Ruth.

McConaughey and Caine partner with ElevenLabs for AI voices

On November 11, 2025, Matthew McConaughey and Michael Caine made deals with ElevenLabs for AI-generated versions of their voices. McConaughey also invested an undisclosed sum in ElevenLabs and uses its technology to create a Spanish audio version of his newsletter "Lyrics of Livin'". Michael Caine joined the new Iconic Voice Marketplace, allowing companies to license his voice for projects. ElevenLabs CEO Mati Staniszewski stated the marketplace ethically sources and licenses recognizable voices. Caine believes the technology amplifies voices and helps new storytellers, with other voices like Liza Minelli and Babe Ruth also available.

McConaughey and Caine join ElevenLabs AI voice platform

On November 11, 2025, Matthew McConaughey and Michael Caine signed deals with ElevenLabs for AI-generated versions of their voices. McConaughey also invested in the company and will use its technology to translate his newsletter "Lyrics of Livin'" into Spanish audio. ElevenLabs launched its Iconic Voices Marketplace, where Caine's distinctive voice is now available for licensed AI-generated use by brands. Caine stated that ElevenLabs helps preserve and share voices, amplifying them for new storytellers. The marketplace also features voices of figures like John Wayne, Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, and Babe Ruth. ElevenLabs was recently valued at about $6.6 billion.

Middle school student charged for sharing AI nude images

A Sixth Ward Middle School student in Lafourche Parish faces criminal charges for sharing AI-generated nude images of female classmates. The Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office accused the unidentified student of 10 counts of unlawful dissemination of these images. The investigation began on August 26 after an altercation on a school bus related to the fake photos. Sheriff Craig Webre stated the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are possible. The female student involved in the bus incident will not face charges. Webre warned parents about the ease of creating such images with AI.

Louisiana student arrested for sharing AI nude photos

A male student from Sixth Ward Middle School in Lafourche Parish was arrested for sharing AI-generated nude photos of female classmates. The Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office charged him with 10 counts of unlawful dissemination of images created by artificial intelligence. The investigation started on August 26, 2025, after fake nude photos were shared and led to a bus altercation. Attorneys Matt Ory and Benjamin Comeaux questioned the school's handling of the 13-year-old victim. Sheriff Craig Webre confirmed the female student involved in the altercation will not face criminal charges. The student was charged under Act 142, a law making it illegal to distribute AI nude images without consent.

Businesses face dual AI challenge innovate and defend

On November 10, 2025, an article discussed the dual challenge businesses face with AI: innovating and defending against disruption. AI's rapid changes can make business models obsolete quickly, requiring companies to manage both project and enterprise risks. Project risks come from a company's own AI initiatives, like technical failures or user rejection. Enterprise risks arise from external AI developments, such as competitor breakthroughs or industry changes. For example, Wendy's AI drive-thru assistant faces project risks, while Mangal kebab chain's fully autonomous model poses an enterprise risk to Wendy's. Understanding these differences is fundamental for effective AI risk management.

AWS CEO advises job seekers on essential AI era skills

On November 11, 2025, AWS CEO Matt Garman offered advice to job seekers facing the rise of AI. He stressed the importance of developing strong soft skills for the AI era. Garman highlighted critical thinking as the most vital skill, along with adaptability and communication. He believes humans will excel at tasks AI struggles with, such as creative problem-solving and nuanced decision-making. Zoho Corp's AI Research chief Ramprakash Ramamoorthy also emphasized reasoning and critical thinking as human advantages over AI. These human strengths will remain essential as job roles evolve with AI.

Friend startup aims to reinvent friendship with AI

On November 11, 2025, NBC News reported on a new startup called Friend. Founder Avi Schiffmann aims to reinvent social interaction and friendship using AI technology. Steve Patterson of NBC News spoke with Schiffmann about the technology's offerings. The company promises to change how people interact socially in the age of AI.

Utah universities adapt to AI for future job readiness

On November 10, 2025, Utah universities are changing their programs to prepare students for jobs transformed by AI. Southern Utah University emphasizes critical thinking, relational skills, and ethical questions, offering an AI ethics minor and certificate. Students like Livy and Collin Englebright see AI changing their fields, while Miriah Salee changed her major from graphic design due to AI's impact. Weber State University's School of Computing now teaches students to use AI as a "coding assistant" in upper-level courses. Kyle Feuz from Weber State believes AI will enhance opportunities, not eliminate them. The University of Utah's School of Business will also launch a new AI minor next fall.

AI startups rewrite growth rules for new economy

On November 10, 2025, an article discussed how AI startups like Anthropic, Cursor, and fal are changing traditional business growth rules. Old SaaS metrics are becoming obsolete as AI companies face different cost structures, with compute replacing code as the main cost unit. Gross margins are lower, around 40-50%, but growth velocity is much faster than traditional SaaS. Founders must focus on new metrics like compute efficiency, usage, and retention. Gorkem Yurtseven of fal noted that "COGS is the new CAC," meaning products must be designed to sell themselves. Pricing models are shifting from flat subscriptions to usage- and outcome-based approaches.

Real estate CEO Barry Sternlicht plans to replace jobs with AI

On November 11, 2025, real estate titan Barry Sternlicht, CEO of Starwood Capital Group, stated he will replace employees with AI. He finds AI's rapid advancement terrifying and believes it will change the world faster than the internet or Industrial Revolution. Sternlicht noted that a chatbot costing $36 a month could do the work of 15 people. He also discussed the real estate market, predicting interest rates will decrease, especially after Jerome Powell's term. His company has invested $20 billion in data centers, watching the creditworthiness of tenants like Oracle, which deals with ChatGPT. Brendan Wallace of Fifth Wall also commented on the complex financing of AI infrastructure.

India adopts unique flexible approach to AI regulation

On November 10, 2025, India unveiled its own AI development and deployment guidelines, differing from the EU, China, and US. AI policy expert Amal Mohanty stated India's approach is balanced, agile, and flexible, favoring self-regulation and voluntary measures. India has high AI adoption, with 92% of employees in certain sectors using AI at work. The guidelines include a "Do No Harm" principle and focus on content authentication. Proposed IT rule amendments require social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram to visibly label AI-generated content. This aims to enhance transparency and protect users from misinformation and deepfakes.

Job seekers learn to outsmart AI in new market

On November 11, 2025, an article discussed how job seekers must adapt to AI's growing role in recruitment. Companies use AI for resume screening and candidate assessment, which can be a hurdle if applications are not optimized. Job seekers should optimize resumes with keywords for Applicant Tracking Systems and use clear formatting. Networking strategically remains crucial to get resumes seen by human recruiters. It is important to showcase soft skills like critical thinking and creativity, which AI struggles to assess. Job seekers can also use AI tools like ChatGPT and Bard to help with resume writing and interview practice.

Sources

• ElevenLabs’ new AI marketplace lets brands use famous voices for ads
• Need Lana Turner or Babe Ruth to Send You a Voice Note? This AI Firm Has You Covered
• Matthew McConaughey, Michael Caine Ink Deals for AI-Generated Versions of Their Voices With ElevenLabs
• Matthew McConaughey and Michael Caine sign voice deal with AI company
• Lafourche Parish middle schooler accused of sharing fake nudes of classmates made with AI
• Louisiana middle school student arrested after AI-generated nude photos of female students were shared
• The Dual Challenge of AI - Innovation
• AWS CEO's Genuine Advice To Job Seekers
• Inside Friend, the company trying to reinvent friendship in the age of AI
• Utah universities prepare students for jobs transformed by artificial intelligence
• Scaling an AI Supernova: Lessons from Anthropic, Cursor, and fal
• Real estate titan Barry Sternlicht says he will 'have to' drop employees in favor of AI
• India charts its own course on AI regulation
• Outsmarting AI: The new job search