Hello All,

Normally, I start with a quick blurb about what’s going on at XOOT. But yesterday I wanted to mention AI… then I fell down the rabbit hole.

Here’s what happened:

For the last 3 years, I’ve skipped around to certain shows (LightBox, GDC, SigGraph, etc.). At all the shows I’d get a bad vibe about employment opportunities for artists, with an underlying sense that AI is a big contributing factor.

That’s the vibe, but what do the statistics say?

I used AI to download data from the U.S. Census Bureau, organize it, and make a graph. The graph for artist employment is basically, “line go up.”

BUT those “stats” do not match what I’m seeing. So, try again.

What about something that’s been more popularized—Computer Science jobs? I asked AI to do the same thing for that. Once again, “line go up.” WTF! I have college-age kids who have graduated or are in technical majors. All the feedback is that CS majors are in an employment graveyard.

I’m confused. I see the immense power of AI to displace jobs, all the personal feedback I get is that Art and CS jobs are hard to come by, but the government statistics seem to imply “don’t worry, be happy.”

Well, I’m already a day late on this newsletter, so I asked AI to post a blog entry the info on the XOOT website: https://xoot.pro/artist-and-cs-jobs-wtf/ (Feel free to add your comments).

– Chris (XOOT’s Founder)

A note about my AI use for this article: Most of it was done for irony, but AI is making its way into my workflows. XOOT_Pro was invented to improve the economics of interacting with a screen. XOOT (the company) only survives if humans continue to interact with screens. I use AI as a tool for several tasks, but not for artwork. (I’ll table the “training AI with art” tragedy for another day.)

Coupons for XOOT_Pro Owners

I might be getting out ahead of my skis here, but the tariff situation for the US should be changing and this gives some breathing room for trying new marketing.

I’ll slowly be sending coupons to XOOT_Pro owners (a few a day).  Starting with those who bought first.  

By default, each owner gets a $40 coupon. However, if they post on the Studio-Snapshot page I’ll bump up the coupon value to $100, (and I’ll also send a free hat).  Studio-Snapshots are a great way to let other artists see and read how a XOOT_Pro could work in their own setup.  

XOOT Owners are the best brand ambassadors.  By giving them a transferable coupon, they can give it to others (or use it themselves and get another coupon).

If you’re not a XOOT_Pro owner but know someone who is, this could be your opportunity.

Dell Canvas 27 is now supported:

I don’t expect there’s going to be a lot of sales for this kit.  They did not make a lot of these screens.  AND this kit also requires you to have the optional Dell Canvas VESA mounting plate, they made even fewer of those.

Check it out at:

XOOT System for Dell Canvas 27

Sorry for being late on the newsletter this month.  I guess all my playing with AI made me more “efficient”.  

All the best to everyone!