AI & Future of work
Shopify just made AI mandatory for all employees
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Last week I asked about the ONE skill you’d want to develop as AI becomes more integrated and most of you choose critical thinking!
Today’s poll is an easy one, the four weeks trial of this has gone by, the question is simple and will shape the future of the newsletter.
1. Amazon CEO Highlights AI as Key to Competitiveness
In his 2024 shareholder letter, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy emphasized that generative AI is central to Amazon’s future. He described how the company is investing heavily in custom AI chips (like Trainium), massive data centers, and new AI services to drive transformation across retail, logistics, and AWS clients.
Why it matters for HR: When a global leader like Amazon prioritizes AI at this scale, it signals a shift in the skills and leadership mindsets required across industries. We need to prepare for rising demand in AI literacy, cross-functional upskilling, and organizational readiness for tech-driven disruption.
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2. BetterUp Launches AI-Powered Career Coaching Tool
BetterUp unveiled “BetterUp Grow,” an AI-powered professional development tool that delivers personalized, contextual coaching to employees at scale. Built using behavioral science and machine learning, it adapts guidance based on each employee’s role, growth goals, and company culture – aiming to democratize access to coaching in hybrid and remote workplaces.
Why it matters for HR: This unlocks a scalable way to support learning, wellbeing, and career development across all levels of the organization – not just for high-potentials. It challenges HR to rethink how tech can personalize development journeys at speed and scale.
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3. Deloitte Triples Use of AI Chatbot Among Auditors
Deloitte UK reported that nearly 75% of its auditors now regularly use its internal AI chatbot “PairD,” up from 25% late last year. The chatbot helps with tasks like summarizing board minutes, manipulating large data sets, and extracting information from legal documents – saving hours of manual effort.
Why it matters for HR: This shows how AI is augmenting white-collar work, not just automating it. Once again, we must help teams adopt tools like this effectively, track productivity gains, and prepare employees to thrive using AI instead of fearing it.
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4. Report Warns AI May Displace More Women Than Men in Africa
At the Global AI Summit for Africa, a study highlighted that women in outsourcing and administrative roles face greater risk of job loss due to AI, with 10% higher exposure to automation than men. Researchers warned of widening inequality unless targeted reskilling and job transition support is offered.
Why it matters for HR: AI adoption must be inclusive. We have a key role to play here in ensuring equity in access to upskilling and minimizing unintended bias in workforce transitions. It’s not just a DEI issue it’s a talent and fairness imperative.
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5. Shopify CEO Mandates AI Use Across Entire Workforce
In an internal memo titled “AI usage is now a baseline expectation,” Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke told employees that AI tools must be integrated into daily work. Adoption will be assessed in peer and performance reviews, including for leadership. The company sees AI as essential to staying competitive.
Why it matters for HR: This is the first wave and it won’t be the last. As CEOs realize AI is not just an IT topic but a company-wide productivity lever, more leaders will push for broad adoption. Whether this approach is right or wrong isn't the point. What matters is that HR must be prepared with a clear stance: How do we guide ethical adoption? What skills need to be built? How do we support people through this shift? The sooner we hasve a position and a plan the more credibility and influence it will have as this trend accelerates.
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6. AI Startups Secure $52 Million to Enhance Recruitment Processes
Five agentic AI startups—Breakout, OptimHire, Deckmatch, Auxia, and Genie AI—have collectively raised $52 million to advance AI-driven recruitment solutions. These companies focus on automating tasks such as candidate sourcing, screening, and interview scheduling, aiming to streamline hiring and reduce associated costs. For instance, OptimHire's AI recruiter can complete 20,000 outreach calls or emails in minutes, significantly accelerating the recruitment timeline.
Why it matters for HR: The substantial investment in AI recruitment technologies underscores a shift towards automation in talent acquisition. HR professionals should consider integrating these AI tools to enhance efficiency, reduce time-to-hire, and focus more on strategic aspects of talent management.
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7. White House Issues New AI Policies for Federal Agencies
The new White House policies on federal AI use and procurement represent a significant shift towards a more innovation-driven and efficient approach. Federal agencies are now encouraged to adopt AI technologies more proactively, with an emphasis on streamlining outdated bureaucratic processes and accelerating adoption in low-risk areas.
Why it matters for HR: These policies set a tone for responsible AI use across sectors. HR should expect similar expectations for AI-powered systems used in hiring, evaluation, or workforce analytics – and prepare now with internal guidelines and audit tools.
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8. OpenAI Unveils EU Blueprint to Train 100 Million in AI by 2030
OpenAI published a European economic plan calling for the training of 100 million people in foundational AI skills, investment in AI startups, and expansion of public computing capacity by 300%. The blueprint aims to ensure AI adoption is broad, inclusive, and innovation-driven.
Why it matters for HR: This is a wake-up call to scale AI education fast. HR should align with national programs, seek partnerships, and build internal ecosystems for continuous AI skill-building – from frontline workers to senior leaders.
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9. AI-Powered Platforms Transforming Employee Wellness Programs
CloudFit, an AI-driven holistic health platform, offers personalized fitness, nutrition, and sleep programs to employees. Developed by former athletes, the app adapts to user inputs, providing tailored wellness plans. Companies like Howden Insurance have adopted CloudFit to enhance employee well-being, recognizing the link between physical health and mental well-being.
Why it matters for HR: Integrating AI into wellness programs provides us with innovative tools to support employee health. Personalized wellness plans can lead to improved employee engagement, reduced absenteeism, and a healthier work environment, contributing to overall organizational productivity.
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10. People-First Workplace Approach Declines Amid AI Integration
Recent research from AI company Leapsome, in partnership with Opinium, indicates a decline in the "people-first" HR approach. Approximately 75% of leaders surveyed are restructuring roles to integrate AI, with 85% of HR leads anticipating significant changes in 2025. Additionally, 92% of HR leaders report internal resistance to people-centric policies, including DEI, flexibility, and well-being initiatives.
Why it matters for HR: The shift towards AI integration poses challenges for maintaining a people-first culture. We must navigate balancing technological advancements with employee-centric policies to ensure workforce engagement and satisfaction.
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