036 A Game Designer, AI, and Your Money Making Money

In this episode, Dr. Joan Palmiter Bajorek talks about meeting a game designer who expresses concerns about the impact of AI on job security in the gaming industry. The designer reflects on the historical context of technological changes in animation and how similar fears are emerging with AI.

The conversation shifts to financial ambitions, where the designer discusses her desire to invest in her future amidst uncertainties at work. Joan emphasizes the importance of proactive financial planning, exploring side hustles, and the potential of high-yield savings accounts to achieve personal goals.

"AI is really scary to me." - Game Designer

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🧠 AI is causing anxiety in various industries, including game design.

💼 Financial discussions are becoming more prevalent in workplaces.

💪 Investing in oneself is crucial during uncertain times.

🚀 Career security concerns can motivate individuals to seek financial independence.

💰 High-yield savings accounts can significantly benefit personal finance.

🛠️ Exploring side hustles can provide additional income opportunities.

Transcript

0:01

Hey folks, I have this story to share with you. Today, I was lucky enough to meet an amazing human who is a game designer. I'm not in the gaming industry. I've done some research about voices used in games and text to speech and voice actors and things. But I think the gaming industry is so fascinating. And this game designer was telling me, Joan, AI is really scary to me. know, AI, we're talking about mid-journey of my company. And honestly, my team is scared. We are not really jazzed about AI taking our jobs or getting into our work. And she was like, I know everyone talks about the Disney story where, and if you know early Disney, you know, it was hand drawn, kind of that 2D to 3D animation. And people at the time were so scared about that 2D to 3D revolution. And she's like, I can know that, I can see that. And yet we're really scared about, you know, game design. We are scared about what we're currently doing, leveraging tools and AI, automating stuff, mid-journey, doing it, you know, losing a lot of team members. and the company is really AI forward, know, chat, you PT, is leverage thing about onsites and offsites and different opportunities at the company. And she was just like, it's really bad for morale that AI could take our jobs. And it sounds like a small team. Apparently they're two women, 30 persons in company, game design and making some really cool games, like. But I think a lot of us might sit in the same place that this game designer sits at, she is, she's seen the past, she knows what's gone on with tools in her industry, as you might know about your industry, and then she's thinking about her current work, and she sees AI come in into her current work, and she's scared. She's like, how is that gonna change what I currently do? How is that gonna change my industry? if they can cut the team in half, where the company says, we're gonna just leverage mid-journey and reduce the team by a bunch, and will she like her job anymore? She would love to be in this industry a long time. And I think wherever you're at, you may be like, ooh, AI, let's try this out, or you may be like, not for me, yikes. But I think if you're listening to this podcast, you might be kinda in that gray area, that wiggle room, or maybe you're all in. I don't know. But what I do know is that she was saying that a lot of people at work are talking more about money. They're talking about stocks they like. They're talking about investing. The CEO, apparently, his company, is because he was really early in Bitcoin. Became a multimillionaire, has three Teslas, just sold two Teslas. Maybe he's upgrading to a Bugatti. Who knows? But this guy talks openly about money, and the different staff members also talk openly about money. And this game designer was telling me, she's like, This is my year to invest. Like I don't know if I'm going to stay at this company, I'm worried about layoffs, but I am ready. I've had some changes in relationship and I'm ready to invest in myself. I'm ready to invest in my future. I really want a house one day. I want to put that down payment down. You know, I'm excited to learn and to grow and to take care of myself. And I thought, I love that. The excitement, the curiosity, the I don't know. But I have these goals. So how do I get there? How do I talk to people at work and learn from them? How do I talk to a wealth professional? How do I consume inclusive, playful, data-driven content? Of course, did I pitch my books? Yes, because the second half of my book's all about money stuff and taking care of yourself and building your wealth. Yes. I pointed her to The Financial Feminist, if you know that influencer, it's got some great content. I also... pointed her to High Yield Savings account. Right now, her savings is just sitting there in an account, not making money, making the bank money, sadly. And I was like, if you set up a High Yield Savings account, mine gives me 4 % every month for keeping my emergency fund with them. They pay me hundreds of dollars to put my emergency fund in there. She was like, really? Mine doesn't give me anything. was like, okay, well, if you want to find a link, you can find my recommendation for more money tools at yourairoadmap. I'll put that in the show notes too. I just, guess coming home from the gym and I'm thinking about, you might be a lot like this lovely game designer. And I just want to let you know that you are far from alone in this. I'm ambitious. I'm on the cusp of things. I'm ready to invest. And I think it's that duality of career and ambition and also your financial house. Literally, she wants a house. but also like taking care of yourself regardless of volatility at work. And you may say, my gosh Joan, you are like ridiculous. Like I need my day job. I need my nine to five. I need my paycheck. Like what's all this freedom stuff? But I really, when you start realizing the dollar signs you want and you need for your goals and how that does or doesn't match your current income, instead of thinking about like shrinking and my gosh, I'm worried about every egg carton. my gosh, the cost of eggs. has gone through the roof over here in Seattle. very expensive. But if you think about, you know, how could you make more money so it's easy to buy the eggs? You know, I met someone recently, she's like, my rent is going up. They're raising the rent 200 bucks. I may have to move. And I was like, could you make more money? Could you ask for a raise at work? Could you, is there another way to make 200 bucks so that you could stay, or more than 200 bucks, ayo, to stay in your current apartment? She's like, I had never thought about it that way. That I could expand the money. Not contract, not budget, not run to another apartment. Like what if I find a side hustle that actually pays me $1,200 a month? Well then I could have tons of money for eggs and saving and investing and whatever goals that she might have. I actually literally know of a side hustle that I think she's pursuing, so let's see what happens. Anyway. This game designer, my friend, thinking about her rent, I want you to take care of yourself. I want you to be safe and happy in this world, taking care of yourself, your family, your community, especially during these really volatile and high opportunity times to take care of yourself and invest literally and metaphorically in yourself. thinking of you, my dear listeners, and sending all the best. hope you have a wonderful rest of your day. Bye!