I tried something different at my friends’ annual Oscars party this year: I outsourced my ballot to Anthropic’s Claude.
It beat around the bush at first, so I asked it to just give me the winners. Claude obliged, delivering confident picks across nearly every category. And it worked.
I won the pool and walked away with a box of chocolates and bragging rights.
Alistair Barr used Anthropic’s Claude to make Oscar picks
Alistair Barr/Business Insider
But here’s the twist: Claude didn’t even complete the assignment fully.
It failed to pick a winner for Casting, a new Oscar category this year. Maybe the model didn’t register the addition?
And in a couple of other award categories, Claude picked candidates who weren’t even on those shortlists. Check out the photo above to see where it went wrong.
Even so, my Claude-powered ballot still outperformed everyone else’s at the party.
That feels like a glimpse of the jagged edge of AI: systems that are clearly powerful, occasionally brittle, and still good enough to win.
Next year, I doubt I’ll be the only one showing up with an AI-generated ballot.
Sign up for BI’s Tech Memo newsletter here. Reach out to me via email at abarr@businessinsider.com.
More than 1.1 million people were laid off in the US in 2025, and there were more job cuts in January 2026 than any January since 2009, according to reports. Business leaders are predicting that things will only get worse as AI disrupts the workforce.
When Amazon announced layoffs earlier this year, the tech career coach Kyle Elliott shared what he thinks employees should do immediately after being laid off to put them in the best position to find a new role.
He also shared three common mistakes to avoid after a layoff.
1. Posting a hit piece on LinkedIn
After the sting of a layoff, Elliott has seen workers turn to LinkedIn to share negative posts about their former employer.
“Sometimes people just really react from that emotion or wound, instead of waiting until it heals,” he said.
Such posts could be detrimental when applying for a new job, when recruiters and hiring managers check your LinkedIn profile.
“People want to work with other positive people, so if they see that you’re venting, they may worry, ‘if we have to conduct layoffs in the future, are you going to then put a hit piece out on us as soon as you get laid off?” Elliott said.
Instead, consider waiting until you are more able to position the event differently in your post, which could be a month or two after, Elliot said. In the post, share lessons you learned and the amazing work you did at your previous company, he added.
2. Venting to former colleagues
Former colleagues can be a good resource when you’re looking for jobs in the future. In your last conversation with your former colleagues before leaving the company, reiterate the work you’re proud of and share what kind of opportunity you’re looking for next, Elliott said.
With this in mind, it may be better to vent about your layoff experience to a trusted confidant like a spouse, best friend, or therapist rather than a former colleague, he added.
Venting to a colleague could damage their perception of you and jeopardize the connection.
“A lot of people will remember that last piece, and you don’t want them to be like, ‘oh, they’re bitter.'” he said.
3. Being afraid to network
Elliott has noticed that clients are sometimes afraid to network because of the stigma associated with layoffs, and their fear that they can’t add value to conversations while unemployed.
“Layoffs are normal now,” Elliott said, so there’s no need to avoid reaching out to people out of fear.
He recommended starting small. For example, meet a former colleague whom you were close to.
In your first conversation, focus on putting yourself out there and taking small steps toward your next role, and don’t expect to be offered a job, he said.
“If you were fired and you’re calling it a layoff, it’s a little different. But if you were truly just laid off as part of a reorganization or cost-cutting measures, people understand that, and there shouldn’t be shame in that,” he said.
When my husband Shayne and I sold nearly everything we owned to travel the world full-time, we thought we were ready for anything. We had spreadsheets, backup plans, a carefully managed budget, and, as two adults in our 50s, decades of experience behind us.
What could go wrong? Turns out, plenty.
Over the past two and a half years, we’ve lived in more than a dozen countries and traveled thousands of miles. We’ve hiked to waterfalls in Bali, wandered the streets of Barcelona, and eaten our way through Thailand.
But we’ve also made mistakes that cost us time, money, and more than a little peace of mind. Some were honest slip-ups, while others came from overconfidence, but they all taught us lessons we’ll never forget. Here are five of the biggest mistakes we’ve made.
Overplanning made us feel burned out
We’ve learned to leave room for spontaneity when traveling.
Shelly Peterson
At first, we packed every destination with nonstop activities. Sunrise temples, food tours, museums, waterfalls, cultural shows — we didn’t want to miss anything.
Every time Shelly publishes a story, you’ll get an alert straight to your inbox!
Stay connected to Shelly and get more of their work as it publishes.
But within a few months, we were running on fumes. The pace was unsustainable, and on some days, it felt like we weren’t even enjoying ourselves.
These days, we travel more slowly. We leave room for naps, long walks, and spontaneous days with no agenda.
Some of our best memories now come from lazy mornings and quiet moments, not the things we planned, but the ones we stumbled into.
We underestimated how hard it is to build a real community
We assumed full-time travel would mean constantly meeting fascinating people and forming deep connections around the globe.
Although we’ve met plenty of kind and interesting travelers, most friendships are fleeting, shared over a meal or a few days before everyone moves on. We didn’t expect how lonely it can feel to always be “the new people.”
Now, we intentionally choose places with digital nomad scenes, coworking spaces, and expat meetups. In Vietnam, for example, we love that locals and expats gather for weekly street-food tours and surf lessons.
It takes effort, but building community on the road is possible. We just had to actively seek it out.
One time, we misread our visa and had to change plans at the last minute
We’ve learned to always double-check visa rules.
Shelly Peterson
When traveling to Vietnam, we completely misunderstood how our visa worked and accidentally arrived in the country on the day it expired.
Immigration let us in, but warned us we had to leave almost immediately and apply for a new visa. We scrambled to book a last-minute flight to Cambodia and ended up paying a fine.
It was stressful, chaotic, and expensive. Oddly enough, though, our visit to Cambodia became one of our favorite unexpected adventures. But now, we double and triple-check visa rules and requirements ahead of time.
We’ve also let our guard down
Travelers should always be aware and alert to their surroundings.
Shelly Peterson
In Paris, Shayne had his crossbody bag slung around his back while boarding a crowded metro train. Seemingly within seconds, his phone was gone.
It was a rookie mistake, and we knew better, but sometimes travel lulls you into a false sense of security.
That one slip-up cost us days of frustration replacing his device and updating accounts, not to mention a chunk of money.
Even seasoned travelers need to stay alert, especially in busy cities and transit hubs.
Choosing accommodations with zero walkability made exploring more difficult
When we started traveling full-time, our first stop was Bali. We booked a picture-perfect villa with sweeping ocean views and dreamy Instagram potential. What we didn’t realize, though, was that it was over an hour away from the nearest town.
It was beautiful, but it made everyday activities like walking to cafés, exploring neighborhoods, or talking with locals nearly impossible.
Now, we prioritize location over aesthetics. Being able to walk out the door and explore a neighborhood, find a local market, or grab lunch at a street stall makes us feel like we’re actually living somewhere, not just passing through.
Despite the bumps in the road, traveling full-time has been incredibly rewarding
The mistakes we’ve made haven’t just taught us how to travel smarter. They’ve reminded us to stay humble, adaptable, and patient with ourselves.
We’ve learned to slow down, embrace the unexpected, and let go of the need for every day to be perfect, because no matter how experienced you are, travel always has something new to teach you.
And often, the detours become the best parts of the journey.
The day my son burst into tears at our kitchen table in Utrecht, I realized my meticulous spreadsheets and research hadn’t prepared us for everything.
“Mom, I’m the only one who doesn’t understand anything,” he said, pushing away his untouched dinner. “Everyone else is so far ahead, and I can’t follow anything.”
That moment, hearing him talk about feeling behind in school, crystallized my first major mistake in our move from Atlanta to the Netherlands in May 2024.
Although our relocation has transformed our lives in incredible ways — offering everything from better healthcare to true work-life balance — there were several costly missteps I wish someone had warned me about.
For one, I hadn’t anticipated how challenging it would be for my kids in the first six months as they adjusted to everything in their lives being new.
Here’s what I learned the hard way, hoping to save other American families from the same expensive and stressful situations.
Assuming we didn’t need to rush learning Dutch was a mistake
Learning Dutch has helped us feel more at home in the Netherlands.
Alexander Spatari/Getty Images
“Je spreekt Nederlands?” (“Do you speak Dutch?”) became a daily reminder of my biggest oversight.
Yes, more than 90% of the Dutch people speak English, but that comfort led me to postpone our family’s learning Dutch. Big mistake.
Those casual chats at early honkbal (baseball) games or neighborhood parties just weren’t the same when we couldn’t participate in Dutch conversations.
My teenager also spent extra months in taalschool (immersive language school), missing out on crucial social connections. Had we started learning before our move, he could’ve completed language school in one year instead of the extended period he needed.
I learned an expensive lesson about taxes and timing
In the Netherlands, the 30% ruling is a tax advantage that allows eligible highly skilled immigrants to receive up to 30% of their salary tax-free for five years.
The catch? You must apply within four months of starting work. Now picture my face when I realized I’d missed the deadline, thus leaving over 30,000 euros on the table.
Though I eventually secured this retroactively, those six months without the full benefits taught me an expensive lesson about Dutch bureaucracy timing.
Not fully understanding the Dutch healthcare system also cost me
Back home in the US, I was used to navigating complex insurance systems and retroactive claims. The Dutch healthcare system operates with different rules, though, and my failure to understand them has cost us unnecessarily.
My American insurance mindset hit a wall when my son needed to have a cavity filled.
In the Netherlands, basic healthcare is universally accessible. I pay 156 euros a month for my policy, which includes my kids at no extra cost and a 385-euro yearly deductible.
However, you have to connect your child’s BSN (Dutch Social Security number) to your insurance for them to be covered, which I didn’t know I had to do at the time.
This meant I paid out of pocket for my son’s procedure — I couldn’t get reimbursed, even after calling my insurance company.
It took too long to ditch my American work mentality
It took me a bit to embrace the local attitude toward work-life balance.
Amith Nag Photography/Getty Images
While my Dutch neighbors enjoyed long family dinners and evening bike rides along the canals, I was still chained to my laptop at 10 p.m., taking calls with US colleagues.
My American work habits followed me across the Atlantic like an unwanted houseguest. The stress and burnout I’d hoped to escape caught up with me within months.
It took retiring from corporate America and starting my own business to finally embrace the Dutch approach to work-life balance — and my health has thanked me for it.
Not properly planning when to exchange currency got expensive
Watching the dollar-euro exchange rate swing from about 0.98 euros per dollar highs to 0.83 euros per dollar lows over the past year and a half taught me an expensive lesson about timing.
Each major transfer — housing deposits, US credit-card payments, moving expenses — became a gamble because I hadn’t developed a proper currency strategy.
Instead of planning strategic exchanges when rates were favorable, I made last-minute transfers whenever bills came due, often at the worst possible rates and with hefty fees tacked on.
Our missteps have become valuable lessons that shaped our successful integration into Dutch life
I’m glad I moved my family to the Netherlands.
Lauren McDonnell
Despite our early mistakes, the Netherlands has given us exactly what we hoped for: a better quality of life, true work-life balance, and a fresh perspective on what’s possible for an American family abroad.
Now, a year and a half later, my sons can easily switch between Dutch and English, and those tearful kitchen moments are just memories that remind us how far we’ve come.
Moving abroad is complex, but having the right guidance can help you avoid these common pitfalls and create a smoother transition for your family.
So, if you’re considering a move to the Netherlands, learn from my mistakes.
Start preparing early (especially with language learning), understand the tax benefits available to you, research the healthcare system thoroughly, be ready to adapt your work mindset, and plan your currency exchanges strategically.
Your future self — and your bank account — will thank you.
This story is available exclusively to Business Insider
subscribers. Become an Insider
and start reading now. Have an account? .
After living in Switzerland for five years, I’ve watched tourists make a lot of the same mistakes.
Don’t try to see too many places in one trip, and try visiting some smaller mountain villages.
Become at least a little familiar with the local languages and book your train tickets in advance.
Though I’m a US citizen, I’ve spent the past five years living in Switzerland.
As a semi-recent transplant, I know there’s much more to this amazing country than what visitors typically come to see. It’s one best experienced thoughtfully and authentically — not by mindlessly racing through “Top 10 ” lists.
In terms of mistakes tourists make, here are a few things I suggest you know — and avoid — before visiting Switzerland for the first time.
You’ll probably regret only visiting the Instagram-popularized spots.
Lucerne is incredible, but it’s not the only great place to visit in Switzerland. Peter Shaw/Getty Images
Zermatt, Lauterbrunnen, Interlaken, and Lucerne are popular, jaw-dropping locations, but they’re not the only spots worth visiting in Switzerland.
Instead of only seeing the few places on every tourist’s list, consider branching out to smaller, lesser-visited ones for at least a day trip. Fortunately, many are easily accessible by public transportation out of some of the area’s main hubs.
For example, close to Interlaken are the mountain villages of Frutigen, Kandersteg, and Adelboden, which offer gorgeous alpine views combined with fewer crowds and more authentic experiences.
Don’t assume the dining-out culture and prices will be what you’re used to back home.
Eating out in Switzerland can be expensive, but I’ve found the prices to be justified. Ashley Franzen
In Switzerland, dining out can seem expensive — in part because the cost of production, labor, and relevant service charges are typically already included in the price of the meal.
Personally, I find the prices easier to stomach when I remember you’re often paying for high-quality, regional fare, and restaurant staff here are typically earning a fair wage.
And although tipping servers 15% to 20% of a bill is standard practice in places like the US, it’s not the norm here. If you enjoyed the meal and the service, it’s customary to round up a few francs or leave a tip between 5% and 10%.
Make your train reservations in advance.
Not making reservations in advance could mean missing out on some special experiences. Ashley Franzen
Switzerland is a popular travel destination throughout the year, and its major attractions can fill up quickly — especially seats on our world-famous scenic routes.
If you plan on riding the Glacier Express or Bernina Express, book your train tickets as far in advance as possible.
However, don’t fret if you realize it’s too late to book a seat on a scenic route. You’ll be just fine on our “regular” trains, which tend to run faster, not book up as quickly, and still offer beautiful views.
Speaking of trains, don’t get fined for sitting in the wrong class.
Make sure you follow your ticket. Ashley Franzen
When traveling by train, it’s important to double-check your ticket class and location. (And, if you have a paper ticket, get it validated.)
Signage indicating first or second class can be found both outside and inside each car. Oftentimes, the class is also noted on the headrests of the seats themselves.
Ticketing agents on board will not hesitate to issue an on-the-spot fine for tourists seated in the wrong class. In addition to a fine of about 100 francs, you’ll also have to pay the difference in price for the ticket.
Also, pay attention to where your seats are before entering each car so you won’t have to lug an oversized suitcase through the entire train.
Switzerland is small, but I don’t advise trying to cram everything into a short trip.
While in Switzerland, take your time to experience the culture and stunning views. Ashley Franzen
Switzerland is one of the smallest countries in Europe, at about 16,000 square miles. However, I’ve seen tourists mistakenly assume they can just zip through and see everything it has to offer in just three or four days.
For example, Zurich may seem close to Geneva on a map, but they are actually about three hours apart by train. Sure, you could also opt for a one-hour flight — but my point is that trying to see so many cities in a short period won’t allow you to truly get a feel for each.
Travel is about experiencing a place, not just visiting to check it off a bucket list. If you’ve only got a week in Switzerland, I suggest you limit yourself to exploring two or three cities instead of trying to cram six or seven single-night stays in new places into your itinerary.
Become at least a little familiar with the local languages and commonly used symbols.
The Swiss take recycling seriously. Ashley Franzen
Switzerland is composed of 26 cantons, and each of these administrative regions has its own distinct culture, government, and history. They also don’t all speak the same languages.
Although you’ll find English speakers throughout the country — especially in popular tourist areas — Switzerland actually has four official languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh.
It’s helpful to learn a few basic greetings in those major languages and ensure you use them in the appropriate region.
Also, it’s handy to become familiar with some of the commonly used symbols — especially when it comes to trash cans.
The Swiss are conscientious recyclers, so take a beat to look up the symbols printed on the bins before tossing something in them if you are confused. Your mindfulness will be appreciated
I became a Pilates instructor 13 years ago after reformer classes helped me recover from a severe back injury.
Nowadays, I teach 20 group equipment classes weekly and see about 100 clients over seven days. With that many students, it’s no surprise I see new clients make the same mistakes over and over.
Here are the five most common mistakes I see students make during their first few Pilates classes.
Not arriving early for class
I recommend new clients arrive at the studio at least 10 minutes before class so that I have time to fit them into the equipment.
For example, the Reformer carriage must be adjusted to fit their unique body type, height, and overall proportions. I also ensure the straps are even and at the correct length for the client.
Every time Daniela publishes a story, you’ll get an alert straight to your inbox!
Stay connected to Daniela and get more of their work as it publishes.
Arriving ahead of schedule allows students to get settled and stay focused during class.
Ignoring the instructor’s cues
It’s important to listen to the instructor’s directions during class.
ilbusca/Getty Images
Pilates classes involve verbal cueing, which means most teachers will describe the exercises instead of demonstrating them. However, following oral instructions can be particularly challenging for non-auditory learners.
For example, when doing reformer Pilates classes, the springs can be adjusted to increase or decrease resistance. Many first-timers attend Pilates classes with a gym mindset, assuming heavier loads produce the best results.
However, when taking a class, you should never ignore the instructor’s directions on how much resistance to use. Following directions is essential for staying safe and seeing results.
Not breathing correctly during class
Pilates uses a technique known as lateral breathing to stabilize the trunk (chest, abdomen, pelvis, and back) while you move. This helps prevent unwanted pelvis movement or an arched back.
Good form during exercise allows for proper muscle recruitment and helps prevent injuries, which is why I always remind my students to be mindful of their breath.
However, it’s important to remember that engaging your core and developing breathing techniques takes time. When in doubt, stick to your usual breathing pattern.
Not wearing grip socks and proper clothing
Most studios require students to wear socks with grips on the bottom.
Raul Valcarcel/Getty Images
Most studios require clients to wear socks with proper grips on the bottom for safety and hygiene purposes.
Your feet may get slippery during movements requiring extra stability, so I recommend wearing them even if the studio doesn’t mandate it.
It’s also important to avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing so the instructor can see your body and help you make the proper adjustments.
Additionally, it’s best to keep long hair in a bun so it doesn’t get caught in the springs or other parts of the equipment.
Not eating before class — or eating too much
Taking a Pilates class on an empty stomach is a big no-no. However, you also don’t want to feel too full before class since Pilates is a core-centered workout.
I recommend eating something light an hour before class. A protein shake or a rice cake with peanut butter are good options if you’re taking an early class.
For those who prefer to exercise on their lunch break, a small salad with light protein will do the trick. The most important thing, however, is to listen to your body and find what works for you.
This story was originally published on August 28, 2024, and most recently updated on January 5, 2025.
The internet is full of interior design aesthetics — Scandinavian, Boho, Country House, Maximalist — each complete with its own set of experts and influencers explaining what must-haves you need to best accomplish the trend.
From quirky pastel candles and oblong mirrors to designer couches and industrial curtain rods, it’s no wonder Americans spend an average of $1,599 on home decor annually, per a 2024 Opendoor survey.
But LA-based content creators Robert Gigliotti and Ethan Gaskill have taken a different approach to interior design influencing.
The friends and collaborators have garnered more than 3.5 million views on TikTok sharing their most disliked interior design and home decor trends in a series called “home decor icks.”
Gigliotti and Gaskill are not designers but have self-taught eyes for design fostered by family experiences.
Gigliotti told Business Insider that his mother flipped houses while he was growing up in Connecticut and he became “tired of them all being builder gray,” so he got involved in helping pick out tiles and other finishes.
Meanwhile, Gaskill was raised in North Carolina and drew inspiration from his father, a custom home builder, and his mother, a real-estate agent.
“My mom was always around the house and really ingrained in my brain the idea of keeping a tidy space and making sure your space is a kind of reflection of who you are, in the way that it sort of impacts your mind,” he said.
Gigliotti and Gaskill said their opinions have resonated with audiences online partly because they’re calling out mistakes they’ve made or seen themselves.
“It’s all things that people kind of agree on or relate to in a way, that they can kind of laugh about,” Gaskill said.
Gigliotti added, “The second anything becomes too serious, it’s not fun anymore, so it’s not like we would actually go in someone’s home and be like, ‘This is disgusting.’ Honestly, it’s amazing effort if you painted everything pink and did your statement wall of floral wallpaper. At least you’re having fun. If you love it, we like it.”
Business Insider spoke with Gigliotti and Gaskill to hear more about what they think you should avoid when decorating each room of your home, from “cringey” art prints and DIYs to overly curated shelving.
