Rethinking AI at Work [Newsletter #72]

Hello, AI enthusiasts from around the world.

Welcome to this week’s newsletter for the AI and the Future of Work podcast.

AI isn’t coming, it’s already here, reshaping how we live and work faster than most expected. There are two ways to look at it: as a threat to our jobs, or as an opportunity to collaborate with intelligent systems that help us grow.

This week, we explore what happens when humans choose the second path.

Let’s dive into this week’s highlights! 🚀

🎙️ New podcast episode with Dennis Kozak, Ivanti CEO

“AI will reduce headcount.”
Raise your hand if you’ve heard that before.

The truth is, discussions about AI and work often come with a negative undertone. And when they do, Dennis Kozak wants you to remember one thing: if the same old drumbeat of “AI is replacing jobs” starts playing, it’s time to pause the music and find a new rhythm.

That’s because Dennis doesn’t see AI as a threat. He sees it as an exponential opportunity.

Take enterprise software, for example. Many predict AI will replace it, but Dennis believes the opposite: AI will enhance it. Both will coexist, unlocking even greater potential.

As the CEO of Ivanti, an enterprise IT and security company with more than $1 billion in annual revenue and 40,000+ customers, Dennis brings a wealth of experience to this conversation. 

He sat down with PeopleReign CEO Dan Turchin to address the growing concern that AI will eliminate jobs. His perspective? Focus on the positive.

AI will help eliminate repetitive, time-consuming work, freeing people to focus on higher-value challenges. According to Dennis, the best antidote to the fear of job loss is simple: hard work.

In a world changing at lightning speed, learning how to learn is one of the most valuable skills you can have, especially for younger professionals entering the workforce. Embracing curiosity and technological evolution will unlock new opportunities, including jobs that don’t even exist yet.

This week’s conversation explores these ideas and more:

• Large language models excel at interpreting data, while enterprise software ensures compliance and control. Together, they create the perfect balance.

• Responsible AI starts with governance. Companies must evaluate every tool before it interacts with sensitive data.

• When AI fails, who's responsible? Clear boundaries and accountability between creators and users are essential.

• AI’s potential is vast and still unfolding. It will create jobs we can’t yet imagine. The key is to keep learning, not resist change.

🎧 This week’s episode of AI and the Future of Work, featuring Dennis Kozak, CEO of Ivanti, inspired this issue.

Listen to the full conversation to hear Dennis share his perspective on the future of work  and why, in his words, hard work beats everything.

📖 AI Fun Fact Article

Will Chinese enterprise software lead global AI adoption? China Daily Online contributor Ma Si makes a compelling case for it, pointing to China’s dominance in mobile internet platforms and smart vehicles as examples of what’s coming next.

China is already a global force in both sectors, and enterprise software may soon follow. The latest generation of Chinese enterprise tools is becoming highly competitive worldwide, positioning the country to lead the next wave of digital and intelligent transformation.

Four key factors are accelerating China’s leadership in AI adoption: A mature and digital  business environment, breakthroughs in large language models, rapid enterprise adoption of AI technologies, and strong government support and promotion.

Industry leaders like Wang Wenjing, Chairman and CEO of Yonyou, see a future where China plays a defining role in shaping how organizations worldwide use AI.

PeopleReign CEO Dan Turchin reminds us that the geopolitics of AI can only be understood by listening to all perspectives, including those from adversaries. AI is a global technology.

To the Western ear, it may sound like propaganda to hear that Chinese software could lead global AI adoption. But if we look beyond American exceptionalism and trade barriers and instead consider how markets might organically adopt new technology without policy intervention, the technology that delivers the most value and best user experience will always win.

The case for China’s success (if markets allow fair access) is strong. The country holds a near-insurmountable lead in energy generation and storage, benefits from abundant low-cost skilled labor, excels in supply chain management, and has world-class infrastructure and efficient transportation. It’s also home to roughly half of the world’s AI researchers and engineers.

📖 Worth a Read

Until Next Time: Stay Curious 🤔

👋 That's a Wrap for This Week!

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