Working Girl’s Guide #51: Mother's Day gifting, Warren Buffett is out, ANNIE is on the pod!

Duolingo killed more than just their owl, Elon has a city now, and I have great ideas for Mother’s Day. Let’s get into it.

Duolingo is going AI-first, and people are NOT happy about it

Duolingo CEO Luis von Ahn let his team know that the company would be going “AI-first,” which means he’s phasing out any contractors who could be replaced by AI. He said in a press release that “Developing our first 100 courses took about 12 years, and now, in about a year, we’re able to create and launch nearly 150 new courses.” People are mad, and they’re FLOODING the app store with negative reviews, many praising Duolingo’s iconic social team for much of the app’s success thus far.

Starbase Texas is the new West Village

The mostly SpaceX-employed residents of an unofficial Texas municipality where the company launches its rockets voted to make Starbase, Texas a legitimate city. Their incumbent mayor, Bobby Pedan, has worked for the company for the past 12 years. Of the 218 locals who voted on the city’s incorporation, 212 were for it, and only 6 were against. Only 143 votes were needed for the measure to pass.

Did Warren Buffett just quiet quit?

Next time your coworkers are mad because someone left without giving enough notice, remind them to be grateful they’re not Warren Buffett’s successor. The Berkshire Hathaway CEO announced at the company’s most recent annual shareholder meeting that he would be stepping down. Greg Abel, who’ll be stepping in, didn’t even get a heads-up. A note on Buffett’s tenure: since he stepped into the role in 1965, Berkshire’s stock has increased 19.9% a year. Compare that to the S&P’s annual return: a comparatively measly 10.4%. Very impressive career, and he deserves a rest (the dude is 95!!).

Families that pickle together (in semi-matching sneaks, no less) STAY TOGETHER! My mama will be out of town next weekend due to the fact that she has a social calendar way fuller than mine, so we celebrated Mother’s Day one week early. The sig other was there (included in Mother’s Day celebrations? Seriously big milestone!), but he did NOT make the cut for the family pic. Maybe next year?

Do you want to feel like you’re wearing a nightgown but look like a gorgeous bottle of ketchup? Say no more! This dress is smocked all around the waist, which makes it the perfect frock for an early summer barbecue (and hey! if you spill ketchup on yourself, no one will notice!). Ok. I will let the ketchup thing go. In all seriousness, this dress is gorgeous and not ketchup-y at all. I have been obsessed with all things Modern Citizen: many elevated silhouettes that are somewhat also pajama comfy. Might this dress be coming for the Nap Dress? Methinks it’s poss!

It’s almost Mother’s Day, and you know I have those lazy girl hacks for anyone hoping to make their mom (or grandma/aunt/BFF’s mom) feel special. From least lazy to most, some ideas I’ve collected over the years!

• Create a custom family recipe book: Print or digitize family recipes with photos and notes. Ok, TBF this doesn’t really belong in the Lazy Girl category. But you can probably do this on your work computer during non-essential meetings. Formatting recipes will probably look like work to the non-observant boss! And you still have a few days to get it done on company time.

• Beautiful mug + handwritten note, paired with her favorite ground beans or pods. So easy, so thoughtful! For a throwback to childhood, you could even paint her mug. (Again..not THAT lazy).

• Gift her an indoor gardening kit or a luxury sleep set, like a pillowcase, sleep mask, and calming pillow spray. Love!

• Monthly subscription: for plants (The Sill makes it easy, not sponsored!), or coffee. The gift that keeps on giving! The lazy way to make sure she likes you more than your siblings, all year long.

• And the laziest: massage or facial gift card at a local spa or national chain. Put a nice bow on it and write a cute note, and you’re good.

Ever wondered what it’s really like to babysit me work behind the scenes with a major online creator? This week, we’re welcoming the one and only do-it-all phenom, Annie Varellas, my Brand Manager, 5am pilates buddy, one-woman film crew, and overall muscle behind the Corporate Natalie brand. We talk about her compensation, how you can get a job in the space (do so at your own risk, I swear), and the unique advantages of open communication in the workplace.

Thanks for reading!