Emma Grede, co-founder of Skims and Good American, revealed she introduced a bonus system two years ago to push her employees to adopt artificial intelligence in their daily work. Speaking on an episode of "The Mel Robbins Podcast" released on Monday, Grede shared her strategy for driving AI integration across her companies. She challenged teams to find ways to use AI in their departments, offering financial incentives through the bonus system to those who succeeded. Grede didn’t specify which departments or projects the system applied to, and neither Skims nor Good American responded to requests for comment. However, she highlighted a standout example from the company’s accounts team, which developed an AI-powered solution to streamline the process of handling chargebacks—payment reversals initiated by customers’ banks. Surprisingly, the innovation came not from a creative or marketing department, but from a back-office team. The AI tool reportedly saved the company hundreds of thousands of dollars, a result Grede called transformative. “When you start to challenge people to find efficiencies in the way they work, it really is like the best thing that's happened to us,” she said. Grede emphasized that entrepreneurs should proactively identify the parts of their business most vulnerable to AI disruption and build relevant skills to stay ahead. Her advice aligns with broader industry sentiment from leaders like Sam Altman and Bill Gates, who have urged people to learn AI to prepare for the evolving job market. This isn’t the first time Grede has shared bold career advice. In May, she warned that job seekers who prioritize work-life balance are a “red flag,” arguing that top performers rarely take a full day off. She believes success demands relentless dedication. Her message on the podcast was clear: those who don’t embrace AI risk falling behind. “We must not miss out on this AI boom,” she said. “If you ain't using it, use it now.”