SKIMS Founding Partner Emma Grede Shares That Even She Has To ‘AI-Proof’ Her Career And How She’s Doing So — ‘We Have No Choice’ – AfroTech
Artificial intelligence continues to influence how employees, executives, and organizations operate, and SKIMS founding partner Emma Grede is taking steps to keep pace with the technology.
During Axios’ annual BFD dealmaking summit, Grede said she schedules an “AI day” once every six weeks, Fortune reports. She described the sessions as dedicated time to understand new tools, noting that she encourages women within her company to develop similar habits.
“We have no choice but to AI-proof our careers,” Grede told Axios senior markets reporter Madison Mills during the event.
Grede serves as chief product officer at SKIMS, the apparel and shapewear company she launched in 2019 with Kim Kardashian and Jens Grede. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, SKIMS recently completed a $225 million funding round led by Goldman Sachs Alternatives that brought the company’s valuation to $5 billion. Fortune reports that Grede has an estimated net worth of $405 million and has appeared on Forbes’ list of America’s richest self-made women for four consecutive years.
Her interest in building AI skills increased after a conversation with Shark Tank investor Mark Cuban during an episode of her podcast, “Aspire,” Fortune previously reported. She told the outlet that Cuban discussed his use of numerous AI apps, which prompted her to explore formal coursework at institutions such as the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University.
“I need to figure this out, because I’m using AI like a 42-year-old woman,” Grede said at the time.
She also told Fortune that, two years ago, she offered a cash bonus to employees who incorporated AI into their work. According to the outlet, the incentive was adopted by several departments, including marketing and finance.
The broader labor market has seen rising demand for AI skills. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, a July report from labor market intelligence firm Lightcast found that job postings for non-technical roles requiring AI experience carried salaries approximately 28% higher than comparable postings without those requirements, amounting to an average difference of roughly $18,000 annually.
Although Grede said that she prefers in-person conversation, she added at the Axios summit that she continues to schedule time to study AI because she believes it will benefit her and the organization over time.
“We have to future-proof our organizations and ourselves,” she said.
