#107 One year by AI
I celebrated my one year anniversary at BAM Infra holidaying in France. Apart from relaxing by the pool, hilly runs and Loire wines, we visited friends that moved here to create a meeting space for nature and culture. They need a hand this summer, if you’re looking for a meaningful workation in a unique French village.
Instead of a poorly written overview of all the cliches when starting out in a new career, my approach to this newsletter is to give my work buddy ChatGPT one prompt of highs and lows and ask it to compose a narrative in three different styles of the past year. Here we go:
🌟 Celebrating One Year at BAM Infra: A Journey of Passion and Purpose! 🎉
🚀 It's been an incredible year of making waves and driving positive change as the Program Manager for Sustainability at BAM Infra! I am thrilled to share some of the highlights, challenges, and proudest moments that have defined this amazing chapter of my professional life. 💼
👥 The vibrant and dynamic company culture at BAM Infra has been a game-changer! Collaborating with a team of passionate high achievers has been nothing short of inspiring. Together, we are shaping the future, fueled by our can-do attitude and an unwavering commitment to sustainability. 🌍
🏆 Being part of the BAM Infra family, an industry-leading brand, has been an absolute privilege. Every day, I am motivated by the reputation and influence that comes with working for such a prestigious organization.
♻️ The relentless dedication to sustainability within every level of the organization has been truly remarkable. It's awe-inspiring to witness the collective determination to make a positive impact and create a sustainable future for generations to come.
🔍 One of the most rewarding aspects of my role has been the sheer relevance of the work we do. From championing eco-friendly construction practices to driving innovation in concrete and asphalt, every project contributes to building a greener, more sustainable world.
🌐 Undoubtedly, the scale of the challenges we face can sometimes be daunting. But I firmly believe that together, we can overcome any obstacle and drive meaningful change. After all, greatness is achieved by tackling the toughest challenges head-on! 💪
#BAMInfra #SustainabilityChampion #OneYearAtBAM #MakingADifference
Chapter 12: A years of trials and transformation
In the hallowed halls of BAM Infra NL, where the echoes of innovation reverberate through the columns of time, Visser embarked upon a journey that would test the limits of his resolve as a program manager for sustainability. Like a lone warrior stepping onto the battle-scarred terrain, he dared to change careers, forsaking the familiar comforts of his previous path. But every choice comes at a price, and his was measured in terms of income relinquished, a sacrifice made in pursuit of a greater purpose. “If he just did everything.”
As Visser delved headfirst into this uncharted realm, he found himself engulfed by a tempest of knowledge, swirling acronyms and obscure terminology threatening to consume his very essence. Each day brought forth new names, hundreds of them, a multitude of faces merging into a blur. Yet, amidst the tumultuous sea of unfamiliarity, he discovered the strength to persevere, to adapt, and to assimilate the lexicon of sustainability into the tapestry of his being. He turned the blur into an asset, identifying each and every individual by their names and what they needed to thrive.
The scale of the challenge that loomed before him was as daunting as the marble colossi that once graced the ancient forums. He stood at the precipice of an epoch-defining endeavour, a quest to forge a path toward a more sustainable future. But such an endeavour could not be shouldered by a solitary soul; it demanded the collective might of every stakeholder involved. In this symphony of collaboration, Visser realized that true triumph lay not in the hands of an individual, but in the hearts and minds of a united front.
Yet, even as they rallied together, a new challenge awaited them beyond the familiar boundaries of the corporate landscape. They embarked upon uncharted territory, where the compass of conventional wisdom could not guide their steps. The pursuit of true sustainability beckoned them forth, demanding ingenuity, creativity, and audacity. They sought to weave the threads of sustainable practices into the very fabric of their business, cultivating a harmonious equilibrium between profitability and environmental stewardship.
In the crucible of Visser’s first year as a program manager for sustainability, he learned that this journey was not one of fleeting triumphs, but a perpetual odyssey. It required an unwavering commitment to growth, an insatiable hunger for knowledge, and an unyielding spirit in the face of adversity. As the esteemed John F. Kennedy famously remarked, "The path to progress starts with taking that first step, no matter how long the road ahead may be." And so, armed with the lessons of the past and the vision of a brighter tomorrow, Visser continued onward, ready to conquer the challenges that lay ahead in this classical era of sustainability.
Whispers of Transformation
In the dimly lit office of Jasper, the program manager for sustainability at BAM Infra, a silent understanding permeated the air. Shadows danced upon the walls, casting an air of intrigue over the space. Amelia, a trusted confidant and fellow advocate for sustainability, stood before Jasper, their eyes locked in a shared resolve.
"Amelia," Jasper's voice carried a hint of fervor, "this edifice we have erected, it is not merely bricks and mortar. It stands as a testament to our unwavering dedication to a sustainable future."
Amelia's gaze met his, her countenance a reflection of both caution and determination. "Indeed, Jasper," she replied, her words measured, "it is a symbol of our collective fortitude, a sanctuary that shall weather any storm."
Yet, beneath the surface, an unspoken understanding lingered. The conversations, the battles waged with senior leaders, they held a weight that surpassed the mere exchange of words. Jasper leaned closer, his voice a low, determined murmur. "Amelia, we must confront the tough choices that sustainability demands. We cannot shy away from the crucible of decision-making."
Amelia's eyes glinted with recognition. "You speak the truth, Jasper," she whispered, her voice a solemn echo. "In the annals of transformation, the path is never easy. It is beset with thorns that test our resolve."
Their dialogue, like a symphony of unspoken truths, weaved through the air, filling the space with a palpable tension. Jasper's gaze, momentarily drawn towards the stack of monthly sustainability newsletters, held a flicker of hope. "Amelia, these missives we disseminate, they carry a power beyond measure. In their ink-stained pages, we sow the seeds of transformation."
Amelia's lips curved in a knowing smile. "Ah, yes," she murmured, her voice a soft caress, "each issue a silent warrior, a vessel of enlightenment that penetrates the minds and hearts of our colleagues. They nurture a shared purpose, fostering the growth of a sustainable ethos within our organization."
As the evening wore on, the shadows deepened, cloaking Jasper and Amelia in a cloak of secrecy. Their words, their silent agreements, held a weight that surpassed the confines of their office. For within the tapestry of their achievements, they glimpsed the promise of a future where sustainability reigned supreme.
In that dark space, as the flickering candlelight illuminated their faces, Jasper and Amelia understood the magnitude of their mission. With resolute determination, they vowed to continue their journey, their footsteps echoing through the corridors of power. For the legacy they sought to forge was not one of fleeting triumphs, but of a sustainable world, sculpted by their unwavering dedication and their unspoken bond.
Okay. This took a lot of effort. The styles I wanted Chat (as I may call it) to copy were LinkedIn braggadocio (easy), a Robert Caro biography (very difficult for the AI), and a scene that could have come from the late Hillary Mantel’s Wolf Hall trilogy (next to impossible). For the last two scenes, I’ve spent hours training the AI. And then Chat would mix up the both of them and I could start all over.
I had to give Chat a lot of freedom to make up additional info (the full prompt I shared were just a handful of words to describe 5 highs, 3 lows and 3 lessons learned). Amelia is an invention by the AI, as is almost the entire LinkedIn part, which I think is apt for a social media post.
Although not my intention, the process taught me a lot about Chat. E.g. what it does when it really doesn’t know what you want it to do: hide its faults behind flashy prose. (Which may have been a thing I taught it to do.)
I’ve been using AI models quite regularly in my work, and I see them as a powerful extension of my ability to do my work. Yet, if a language model cannot easily spin three distinct writing styles into a single coherent story, I’m not too impressed by AI’s ability to help us out with the tremendously complicated, multi-faceted sustainability challenges we’re facing. We’ll have to address these ourselves, as humans, urgently. Which is what I’ll keep on doing at BAM.
Thank you to everyone at BAM Infra for making this past year so memorable and transformative! I look forward to continuing our journey together, making sustainable construction a cornerstone of our world. Let's keep pushing boundaries and creating a better, greener and more sustainable tomorrow! 🌱
— Jasper