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Forte Labs Newsletter

AI & the Future of Creativity

Published about 2 months ago • 3 min read

Applications for the Second Brain Enterprise beta cohort close next Monday, May 26th!

Over the past few weeks, we’ve shared what this program is all about:

Building a custom AI-powered operating system for your business that simplifies decision-making, streamlines operations, and increases profitability—without adding more people.

So far, 38 organizations have secured their spot—ranging from wealth management firms and commercial insurance providers to agile management consultants, heavy steel bridge fabricators, big tech teams, and tax technology experts.

We’ve decided to cap the first cohort at 50 organizations to ensure we can give them the time and attention they need. As this newsletter goes out, we have 12 spots remaining.

What J Dilla and Early Hip-Hop Teach Us About AI and the Future of Creativity

What if the same drum machines that gave birth to hip-hop could teach us something profound about the future of AI?

In my new blog post, I explore how legendary producer J Dilla bent technology to his will—using a tool designed for perfection to create beats that felt deeply human.

His story challenges the dominant narrative that AI will homogenize creativity.

Instead, it points to a different possibility: that human imagination, when paired with new tools, can unlock entirely new forms of expression.

You’re Invited: Rapid-Fire Coaching with Joe Hudson

A few weeks ago, I shared that the next cohort of The Art of Accomplishment Master Class — created by my mentor Joe Hudson — is starting soon. Well, applications open this Wednesday, and I want to make sure you don’t miss a rare opportunity to see this work in action.

On Friday, May 30th, Joe is hosting a live Q&A and rapid-fire coaching session. Whether you’re considering the Master Class or just curious about this approach to personal growth, you’re invited.

Rapid-fire coaching is unlike anything I’ve seen before — it’s like compressing years of inner work into a short, focused session. Joe brings a rare combination of love and precision to each exchange.

He only offers this publicly a few times per year. So if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be coached, this is your chance to experience it live.

Slow Burns vs. Heavy Lifts

Have you ever stopped and considered the pace of your work? I’ve found that people generally work in two modes: slow burns and heavy lifts.

Slow burns involve a gradual, consistent effort over time. You’re incubating ideas, gathering material slowly, and letting projects simmer in the background.

Heavy lifts, on the other hand, are about intense, focused efforts over a short period. They require deep concentration and can often feel like a sprint to the finish line.

I can think of a few heavy lifts such as the writing retreats to finish my book that were necessary to complete projects.

What’s crucial is that I had already accumulated a rich collection of ideas, insights, examples, and stories through slow burns that I could rely on when it came to the heavy lift. I can’t even imagine going in there unprepared, essentially having to start from scratch. That’s a recipe for frustration and burnout.

Think about this concept when you’re planning your work: Do you have a heavy lift coming up? How can you start preparing now with a slow burn so you’re ready when the time arrives?

The Perfect App For Reading Newsletters?!

Newsletters from trusted friends and creators are a major source of information for me, so I’m subscribed to dozens of them.

The problem is that they mix with other emails in my inbox, which isn’t even the place where I want to read them anyway.

Now, there’s a new app on the block specifically designed for reading newsletters: Meco.

Meco connects to Gmail and Outlook, allowing you to instantly move your newsletters to the app (and clear your inbox).

Once in Meco, you can group newsletters, set smart filters, bookmark your favorites, and read them in a scrollable feed. Overall, a much better reading experience than your inbox.

If you’re a newsletter aficionado like me, I invite you to give Meco a try.

We’re an affiliate of Meco. That means when you click the link and sign up, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

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Tiago Forte

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Forte Labs Newsletter

Build your Second Brain with Tiago Forte

Level up your productivity and life with new essays, videos, event invites, and other resources every Tuesday. Join 125k subscribers exploring the frontier of modern work, experimenting with new ways of doing more with less, and discovering what it means to fulfill our human potential. 100% free and 100% useful!

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