Where do we go with AI? With Bonnie Kate Wolf

In this episode of Never Not Creative, Andy speaks with icon designer, illustrator and art director Bonnie Kate Wolf about the emotional and ethical impact of being made redundant from Pinterest during its shift toward an “AI-forward”strategy. Ironically, Bonnie was actively working on AI initiatives—including the company’s AI assistant—when her role was eliminated.

What follows is a deeply honest conversation about grief, identity, corporate decision-making, and the uneasy relationship between creativity and automation.

Bonnie shares what it felt like to sense the warning signs, to voice concerns internally, and to ultimately see those fears realised. Together, they explore the broader implications for creatives navigating AI disruption: when to trust your gut, how to separate your identity from your job, and why authenticity and personhood may be the most future-proof assets creatives have. This is a powerful reflection on resilience, values, and staying human in a rapidly shifting industry.

🔎 Find Out More About Bonnie Kate Wolf
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-kate-wolf-20b04475
https://www.instagram.com/bonniekatewolf

⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction
02:52 – Inside the Innovation Team
06:17 – The Day of the Layoffs
13:17 – Shock, Support & Survival Mode
17:17 – Why This Time Feels Different
25:08 – Trust Your Gut
29:56 – Choosing Craft Over Automation
34:27 – Beyond “Designer” as Identity
42:54 – Generations & Ethics
49:14 – The Cost of a Query
57:39 – Finding Value-Aligned Work

#mentalhealth #creativecareers #ai

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