News/Future of Work
Salesforce cuts 4K support jobs as AI handles 50% of customer service
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff revealed that the company has eliminated 4,000 customer support jobs this year after deploying AI agents to handle nearly half of all customer interactions. The workforce reduction, which cut the support team from 9,000 to 5,000 employees, demonstrates how AI automation is directly replacing human workers at one of San Francisco's largest private employers while allowing the company to reallocate resources to sales and growth areas. The big picture: Salesforce's AI transformation represents a concrete example of how enterprise automation is reshaping workforce dynamics in real time. AI agents now handle 50% of all customer conversations,...
read Sep 1, 202562% of Gen Z workers hide their AI usage from colleagues, says survey
Generation Z workers face a peculiar workplace paradox: they're expected to seamlessly integrate artificial intelligence into their daily tasks, yet most receive little to no formal training on these tools. This disconnect has created a phenomenon researchers now call "AI shame"—the anxiety and embarrassment young professionals feel when using AI tools, often leading them to hide their reliance on the technology or pretend to understand systems they've never been properly taught. A recent survey by WalkMe, a digital adoption platform owned by enterprise software giant SAP, reveals the scope of this hidden struggle. While nearly 89% of Gen Z workers...
read Sep 1, 2025Miss England adds AI avatar round though only 3 of 32 contestants participate
Miss England has introduced an AI round to its competition, where contestants create digital avatars of themselves to secure commercial bookings, with only three of 32 semi-finalists choosing to participate. The controversial addition reflects broader tensions in the modeling industry about AI's role in potentially replacing human workers while offering new digital opportunities. What you should know: The AI round requires contestants to work with technology company MirrorMe to create virtual avatars that can be pitched to brands and agencies. The contestant whose avatar secures the most commercial contracts advances to the final round. Models receive 10% of earnings from...
read Sep 1, 2025“I was hoping you’d tell me”: Companies demand AI literacy for hiring but can’t define what it means
The job market has developed a new prerequisite that's leaving many candidates scratching their heads: AI literacy. As artificial intelligence tools become mainstream business resources, employers across industries are weaving AI skills into job descriptions—even for roles that seem far removed from technology. However, what exactly constitutes "AI literate" remains frustratingly undefined, creating confusion for job seekers and hiring managers alike. This ambiguity became apparent to Taylor Tucker, a 30-year-old former project manager, when she applied for a senior business analyst position at Disney. Despite having used generative AI—artificial intelligence that creates new content like text, images, or code—for various...
read Sep 1, 2025AI-to-pipelayer-pipeline? Trade school enrollment surges 6.6% as students seek AI-proof careers
Generation Z is abandoning traditional college paths and flocking to trade schools, with enrollment in programs like HVAC and welding expected to grow 6.6% annually. This shift reflects growing concerns about AI displacing white-collar jobs and the financial burden of college debt, while skilled trades offer comparable wages without requiring four-year degrees. The big picture: Young workers are increasingly viewing trades as "AI-proof" careers that can't be automated, with one industry expert noting "AI can't install an HVAC system." Key enrollment trends: Trade-focused education is experiencing unprecedented growth across multiple pathways. Fall enrollment at trade schools is projected to grow...
read Aug 29, 2025Spokane, Washington college launches AI certificate program with $152K state funding
Spokane Falls Community College will launch an artificial intelligence certificate program in fall 2026, focusing on applications in cybersecurity, healthcare, and manufacturing. The program represents part of a broader Washington state initiative to prepare students for an AI-integrated workforce, funded by a $152,000 grant from the state's $1 million AI education investment. What you should know: The yearlong certificate program aims to give students practical AI skills for high-demand industries where the technology is becoming essential. "This will give our students an advantage going into the next evolution of the workforce," said Mark Neufville, program lead at SFCC's Cyber Center,...
read Aug 29, 2025AI orchestration could double workforce capacity by 2025, according to PwC report
Artificial intelligence is no longer just another workplace tool—it's becoming the conductor of an entirely new orchestra. According to PwC's midyear AI update, companies aren't simply plugging AI into existing workflows anymore. Instead, they're orchestrating multiple AI agents to work together, fundamentally reimagining how business gets done. This shift represents something far more significant than the typical "AI will make us more productive" narrative. Dan Priest, PwC's US Chief AI Officer, describes a workplace transformation where specialized AI agents collaborate like human teams—one focusing on human resources, another on compliance, and a third on finance, all coordinated by an orchestrator...
read Aug 29, 2025Kean University launches New Jersey’s first AI bachelor’s degree
Kean University has launched New Jersey's first bachelor's degree in artificial intelligence, beginning in the fall semester. The program is part of a broader AI initiative that includes establishing an Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence and integrating AI tutors and research tools across coursework, positioning the university at the forefront of AI education in the state. What you should know: The bachelor of science in artificial intelligence degree aims to prepare students for high-demand careers in one of today's fastest-growing technology sectors. Focus areas include building large language models (the AI systems that power tools like ChatGPT) and exploring ethical...
read Aug 29, 2025Faux Crew? Top fashion retailer faces backlash for allegedly using AI-generated models in ads
J.Crew is facing criticism for allegedly using AI-generated models in recent promotional images, with fashion observers pointing out visual distortions and clothing glitches that suggest artificial generation. The controversy highlights growing concerns about AI replacing human workers in the fashion and advertising industries, as brands experiment with synthetic imagery to cut costs. What you should know: Blackbird Spyplane, a fashion newsletter, first identified suspicious elements in J.Crew's recent promotional photos that appeared to contain AI-generated artifacts. The images featured visual distortions and clothing inconsistencies typical of AI-generated content, despite resembling traditional J.Crew advertising aesthetics. J.Crew has not explicitly confirmed or...
read Aug 29, 2025LinkedIn study: 33% of professionals feel embarrassed, stressed by their AI knowledge gaps
A third of professionals feel embarrassed by their lack of AI knowledge, according to new LinkedIn research that tracked workplace conversations over a 12-month period. The study reveals that AI's rapid pace is overwhelming workers, with 41% reporting it's negatively impacting their well-being and more than half saying that learning AI feels like a second job. What you should know: Workers are struggling to keep up with AI developments despite recognizing its importance for career advancement. 33% of professionals admitted feeling embarrassed about how little they understand AI. 35% feel nervous about discussing AI at work due to their knowledge...
read Aug 29, 2025Girls get hands-on with retail robots at BJ’s Wholesale Club STEM program
BJ's Wholesale Club recently hosted Girls Inc. of Worcester students for a behind-the-scenes look at how STEM powers retail operations, featuring demonstrations of autonomous robotics technology. The initiative highlights growing efforts by retailers to inspire the next generation of female STEM leaders while showcasing how advanced automation is transforming modern retail environments. What you should know: The visit was part of the Eureka program, a STEM-intensive leadership initiative for girls in grades 8-12. Caroline Krieger, Robotics & Automation Manager at BJ's Wholesale Club, shared her career journey and demonstrated how retail robotics work in practice. The students got hands-on experience...
read Aug 29, 2025Laborup raises $7.7M to solve US manufacturing worker shortage with AI
Artificial intelligence startup Laborup has raised $7.7 million in seed funding to address America's critical manufacturing labor shortage using voice-first AI recruitment technology. The funding comes as the U.S. faces over 450,000 unfilled manufacturing jobs, with projections that 2.1 million roles could remain vacant by 2030—potentially costing up to $1 trillion in lost output annually. The big picture: America's manufacturing boom is creating a paradox where massive industrial investments are driving job creation, but companies lack the workforce to fill critical roles. Companies have announced trillions in new U.S. manufacturing investments since 2020 across electric vehicles, semiconductors, defense, nuclear, and...
read Aug 28, 20256 emergency medical experts reveal AI’s promise and perils for Emergency Medical Services
Emergency medical services face a pivotal moment as artificial intelligence transforms everything from patient care to administrative workflows. At the California Ambulance Association Annual Conference in Monterey, six industry experts gathered for an unconventional panel discussion that revealed both the promise and perils of AI adoption in emergency healthcare. The session, dubbed "Six Experts – One Weird AI Showdown," featured a unique format: no sales pitches or product demonstrations, just rapid-fire insights delivered in two-minute bursts after panelists buzzed in to speak. The diverse group included Brendan Cameron from ABC, Christian Carrasquillo from Fast Medical AI, Dave O'Rielly from Traumasoft,...
read Aug 28, 2025Now wait a moment, AI code generation still needs DevOps platforms
The artificial intelligence revolution has sparked bold predictions about the end of traditional software development. Industry observers claim that AI-powered code generation will eliminate the need for human programmers, replacing them with subject matter experts who can simply describe what they want in plain English—so-called "vibe coders" who rely on intuition rather than technical expertise. This narrative has led some enterprises to question their investments in DevOps platforms—the integrated toolsets that manage software development lifecycles from code creation through deployment. If AI can generate perfect code on command, why maintain expensive infrastructure for human-driven development processes? However, this reasoning contains...
read Aug 28, 2025Doctors show reduced cancer detection skills after AI tool removal. (So don’t remove it?)
New research reveals that doctors using AI tools for colonoscopies became significantly worse at detecting precancerous growths when the technology was removed, marking the first evidence of "deskilling" in medical AI. The study, published in Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology, found that after just three months of AI assistance, physicians' detection rates dropped from 28% to 22% when performing procedures without the technology. What happened: Researchers at four Polish endoscopy centers gave doctors access to an AI tool that flagged suspicious growths during colonoscopies by drawing boxes around them in real time. After three months of using the AI assistance, the...
read Aug 28, 2025Survey reveals 78% of workers use AI tools without company oversight
Most workers using artificial intelligence tools at their jobs operate with virtually no oversight, creating significant legal and financial risks that many companies haven't fully grasped. While businesses rush to harness AI's productivity benefits, they're inadvertently exposing themselves to data breaches, compliance violations, and potential litigation. A recent survey by EisnerAmper, a New York-based business advisory firm, reveals that only 22 percent of U.S. desk workers who use AI tools report that their companies actively monitor this usage. This means roughly four out of five employees are deploying AI systems without meaningful supervision—even when their employers have established safety protocols...
read Aug 28, 2025Art history’s revenge? Tech job market crashes 71% while AI writes 30% of Microsoft’s code
Recent computer science graduates are facing an increasingly difficult job market, with employment in computer science and math roles declining 8% since 2022 and software development job postings plummeting 71% between February 2022 and August 2025. The downturn reflects a perfect storm of factors: tech companies right-sizing after pandemic-era hiring sprees, AI automation reducing demand for entry-level coding roles, and intense competition among new graduates for fewer available positions. What you should know: Multiple recent graduates shared stories of extensive job searches yielding few results, with some applying to hundreds of positions. Abraham Rubio, a May 2025 graduate from Bloomfield...
read Aug 28, 2025Aurelian raises $14M to automate non-emergency 911 calls with AI
Aurelian has raised $14 million in Series A funding to expand its AI system that handles non-emergency 911 calls across the United States. The company, which pivoted from automating hair salon bookings, now serves nearly 5 million Americans by automating an average of three-quarters of non-emergency calls—saving dispatchers approximately three hours per day and allowing them to focus on genuine emergencies. Why this matters: Emergency communications centers face critical understaffing and high turnover rates, with dispatchers often working 12- to 16-hour shifts handling everything from life-threatening emergencies to routine parking complaints. How it works: Aurelian's AI system automatically processes non-emergency...
read Aug 27, 2025Cracker Barrel logo controversy implicates AI in reshaping American biz (and 8 other observations)
The Cracker Barrel logo controversy that erupted in late 2024 might seem like another fleeting social media storm, but it reveals deeper currents reshaping American business and society. When the restaurant chain temporarily replaced "Uncle Herschel"—the elderly gentleman who had graced their logo for decades—with a sleeker design, the backlash was swift and politically charged. Donald Trump Jr. denounced the change, Senator Mike Lee compared it to other corporate rebrands, and the company's stock price tumbled before management hastily reversed course. Yet beyond the partisan posturing lies a more significant story about automation, demographic shifts, and the economic forces transforming...
read Aug 27, 2025AI concession tech at Boston’s TD Garden, Fenway Park sparks worker displacement debate
AI-powered concession technology at Boston sports venues has sparked debate over job displacement, with three readers offering contrasting perspectives on automation's impact on stadium workers. The discussion centers around Amazon's Just Walk Out technology implemented at TD Garden and similar systems at Fenway Park, highlighting broader tensions between technological efficiency and worker welfare. What they're saying: Three distinct viewpoints emerge from readers responding to concerns about AI replacing concession workers. Charlie Tillett from Wayland argues that technological disruption is inevitable: "Just because a workflow is being disrupted by utilizing artificial intelligence does not mean we should be locked into the...
read Aug 26, 2025Better old than young? In tech?! AI automation hits 22–25 year-old workers 12x harder
New research from Stanford economists reveals that AI automation is disproportionately impacting younger workers, with employment among 22-25 year-olds declining by 12 percentage points in AI-exposed fields since 2022. The findings suggest AI's tendency to replace "book-learning" over experience-based knowledge is fundamentally reshaping entry-level job markets, particularly in software development where roles for young workers dropped nearly 20% in 2025 compared to their 2022 peak. What you should know: The research tracked millions of payroll records through July 2025, providing real-time data on how AI deployment affects different age groups in the workforce. Workers ages 22 to 25 experienced the...
read Aug 25, 2025TikTok cuts hundreds of UK moderators as AI takes over content screening
TikTok is laying off hundreds more content moderators from its London-based team as part of an expanded push toward AI-powered content moderation. The move affects a significant portion of the platform's 2,500-person UK moderation team and follows similar cuts across other regions, reflecting the broader industry shift away from human moderators toward automated systems. What you should know: This represents TikTok's most significant moderation team reduction in the UK to date, though exact numbers remain undisclosed.• Over 85% of content removed from TikTok for violating guidelines is already identified and taken down by AI, according to the company.• The layoffs...
read Aug 25, 2025California teens earn $$$ as pile drivers and welders as AI threatens white-collar jobs
California teenagers are bypassing traditional college paths to enter skilled trades, with many earning over $100,000 annually before age 21. This shift reflects growing concerns about AI's impact on white-collar jobs and the rising costs of higher education, making blue-collar careers increasingly attractive to Gen Z workers seeking stable, well-paying employment. The big picture: Recent data reveals a stark employment contrast between college majors, with computer engineering and computer science graduates facing unemployment rates of 7.5% and 6.1% respectively, while construction services majors experience just 0.7% unemployment. Why this matters: Experts predict AI could eliminate half of all entry-level white-collar...
read Aug 22, 2025OpenAI chairman reveals AI erodes his identity as a programmer
OpenAI Chairman Bret Taylor revealed that artificial intelligence is fundamentally disrupting his professional identity and sense of self-worth as a programmer. His candid admission highlights the psychological toll AI is taking on tech leaders who built their careers on skills now being automated away. What they're saying: Taylor expressed deep anxiety about AI's impact on his core professional identity during a recent podcast appearance.• "The thing I self-identify with is just, like, being obviated by this technology," Taylor said on the "Acquired" podcast.• "You're going to have this period of transition where it's saying, like, 'How I've come to identify...
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