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Can Humans Compete With AI At Work with Rob Garlick
Will AI replace jobs? What happens when AI agents and robotics become cheaper, faster, and more scalable than human workers? And how will AI impact wages, inequality, and the future of capitalism?
In this episode of The Future of Less Work, host Nirit Cohen sits down with Rob Garlick, author of AI – Anarchy or Abundance? and Visiting Professor at the University of Surrey, to explore how artificial intelligence, automation, and non-human labor could reshape the global workforce.
Together, they unpack why AI is not just a productivity tool but a new form of labor competing with people on cost and speed, why companies may replace workers faster than societies can adapt, and what happens when economic systems reward efficiency over human value. The conversation explores AI job displacement, wage pressure, AI and capitalism, universal basic income, the future of careers, shorter work weeks, reskilling, and the growing tension between shareholder expectations and social stability.
Garlick also shares his BESST framework for building a more “pro-human” AI economy, focused on better jobs, enough opportunity, safety nets, and giving people a greater voice in shaping the future of work.
If you’re wondering how AI will change jobs, whether technology creates abundance or inequality, and what leaders should do now to prepare for the next phase of work, this episode is for you.
https://youtu.be/_u_yJAqKni0
Guest Information:
Rob Garlick is the author of AI – Anarchy or Abundance? and a Visiting Professor at the Future of Work Research Centre at the University of Surrey. With three decades experience working with C-suite leaders and top investors globally, Rob guides, speaks and writes about AI, innovation and pro-human leadership. Rob held a number of senior leadership roles at Citi, including: Head of Innovation, Technology and the Future of Work; Head of Research for EMEA; Global Research Product Head; and US Sales Head. Rob started his career as an analyst and US Fund Manager. Amongst other qualifications he holds a Masters in Behavioural Change, is an AIIMR prize-winner and EMCC Senior Practitioner.
Chapters:
00:00 Can Humans Compete With AI at Work?
01:35 Why Companies Will Replace Labor With AI
04:25 Can Businesses Choose People Over Profits?
06:15 Will AI Cause Political and Social Backlash?
08:20 What History Teaches Us About AI and Jobs
10:45 Can AI Create Better Work Instead of Unemployment?
15:00 Will AI Create More Entrepreneurs Than Employees?
17:45 Do We Need New Safety Nets for the AI Economy?
20:30 Universal Basic Income vs. Meaningful Work
22:15 Why Workers Need a Say in AI Decisions
24:45 Why AI Transformation Is Really a People Problem
27:45 What Makes Humans Valuable in the Age of AI?
31:40 How CEOs Can Build a Pro-Human AI Strategy
33:40 The Future of Work Depends on Human Choices
View all episodes
By Nirit CohenWill AI replace jobs? What happens when AI agents and robotics become cheaper, faster, and more scalable than human workers? And how will AI impact wages, inequality, and the future of capitalism?
In this episode of The Future of Less Work, host Nirit Cohen sits down with Rob Garlick, author of AI – Anarchy or Abundance? and Visiting Professor at the University of Surrey, to explore how artificial intelligence, automation, and non-human labor could reshape the global workforce.
Together, they unpack why AI is not just a productivity tool but a new form of labor competing with people on cost and speed, why companies may replace workers faster than societies can adapt, and what happens when economic systems reward efficiency over human value. The conversation explores AI job displacement, wage pressure, AI and capitalism, universal basic income, the future of careers, shorter work weeks, reskilling, and the growing tension between shareholder expectations and social stability.
Garlick also shares his BESST framework for building a more “pro-human” AI economy, focused on better jobs, enough opportunity, safety nets, and giving people a greater voice in shaping the future of work.
If you’re wondering how AI will change jobs, whether technology creates abundance or inequality, and what leaders should do now to prepare for the next phase of work, this episode is for you.
https://youtu.be/_u_yJAqKni0
Guest Information:
Rob Garlick is the author of AI – Anarchy or Abundance? and a Visiting Professor at the Future of Work Research Centre at the University of Surrey. With three decades experience working with C-suite leaders and top investors globally, Rob guides, speaks and writes about AI, innovation and pro-human leadership. Rob held a number of senior leadership roles at Citi, including: Head of Innovation, Technology and the Future of Work; Head of Research for EMEA; Global Research Product Head; and US Sales Head. Rob started his career as an analyst and US Fund Manager. Amongst other qualifications he holds a Masters in Behavioural Change, is an AIIMR prize-winner and EMCC Senior Practitioner.
Chapters:
00:00 Can Humans Compete With AI at Work?
01:35 Why Companies Will Replace Labor With AI
04:25 Can Businesses Choose People Over Profits?
06:15 Will AI Cause Political and Social Backlash?
08:20 What History Teaches Us About AI and Jobs
10:45 Can AI Create Better Work Instead of Unemployment?
15:00 Will AI Create More Entrepreneurs Than Employees?
17:45 Do We Need New Safety Nets for the AI Economy?
20:30 Universal Basic Income vs. Meaningful Work
22:15 Why Workers Need a Say in AI Decisions
24:45 Why AI Transformation Is Really a People Problem
27:45 What Makes Humans Valuable in the Age of AI?
31:40 How CEOs Can Build a Pro-Human AI Strategy
33:40 The Future of Work Depends on Human Choices