Brief

Okta's COO, Eric Kelleher, argues that the primary challenge of AI adoption isn't the technology itself, but rather the deeply ingrained management practices focused solely on human headcount. He advocates for a shift towards 'work planning' that explicitly budgets for and integrates AI agents as colleagues alongside human employees. This organizational redesign is crucial because companies are experiencing an 'activation gap,' where AI transformation is rapid but not yet yielding expected productivity gains, indicating a disconnect between AI capabilities and actual business outcomes. AI

Cognizant's research indicates that generative AI is impacting jobs much faster than initially predicted. A 2023 forecast suggested 90% of jobs would be affected by 2032, but current data shows 93% are already AI-capable, with 30% facing existential change. Even traditionally 'AI-proof' roles like plumbers are being reshaped, as AI assists with diagnosis, planning, and administrative tasks, though the physical work remains human. Cognizant executives believe AI will ultimately reshape rather than eliminate jobs, creating new opportunities as businesses adapt their operating models. AI