What happens when AI, economic opportunity, and human skills collide? In this episode of The Future of Less Work, Nirit Cohen sits down with Aneesh Raman, LinkedIn’s Chief Economic Opportunity Officer, to unpack the Work Change Report⁠ and what it reveals about the evolving nature of work. From the rise of AI-driven job shifts to the increasing value of social and human-centric skills, Aneesh shares his perspective on why we’re not just moving into an AI-powered economy—but an innovation economy. He challenges the assumption that AI will simply lead to mass layoffs and instead argues that the companies that thrive will be the ones that prioritize adaptability, innovation, and human potential. Together, they discuss why skills—not job titles—are the new currency of work, how CEOs need to rethink workforce planning, and whether the future belongs to billion-dollar companies with no employees—or billion-dollar individuals with no companies.

If you’re wondering how to future-proof your organization and your own career in an era where AI is changing everything, this episode is a must-listen.

Want to dive deeper into this topic? Read Nirit's Forbes article, "Forget Billion-Dollar Companies—Will AI Create Billion-Dollar People?", to explore these ideas further.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=su_tl7Y2MjM

Guest Information:

Aneesh Raman is LinkedIn’s Chief Economic Opportunity Officer, working with leaders across sectors and around the world to make LinkedIn’s vision of creating economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce a reality in our time. Prior to LinkedIn, Aneesh served as a Senior Economic Advisor for California’s Governor, helping to shape and communicate the economic agenda for one of the world’s largest economies, as well as the state's response to the global pandemic. Aneesh joined the Governor’s Office after five years in the tech industry, including as Head of Economic Impact at Facebook.  From 2009-2013, he held multiple positions in the Obama Administration, including as a speechwriter to President Barack Obama and as speechwriter to the Treasury Secretary amidst a historic economic crisis.  Aneesh began his career as a CNN correspondent. A graduate of Harvard College and a former Fulbright Scholar, Aneesh is a Board member of Shanti Bhavan, an education non-profit that works with children from the most economically disadvantaged communities in India.  He is also a former term member at the Council on Foreign Relations and former member of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library’s New Frontier Award Committee.

Your Turn:

If you had to describe your career in terms of skills—not job titles—what would it look like? Share your thoughts #FutureOfLessWork.

Chapters:
00:00 – What is a Chief Economic Opportunity Officer?

01:15 – How is AI changing work?

03:09 – Will AI lead to mass layoffs or new opportunities?

04:50 – How past technologies shaped today’s labor market?

06:37 – The labor market is broken

07:56 – Are job titles and degrees becoming obsolete?

09:39 – Is AI the next general-purpose technology?

10:46 – AI will push us toward a human-centric economy

11:43 – What skills will define the future of work?

13:13 – The essential human skills AI can’t replace

15:18 – Rethinking workforce planning for the AI era

16:59 – Will AI benefit everyone or just elite few?

18:28 – Will entrepreneurship replacing traditional jobs?

20:26 – Are we moving toward a world of “less work”?

22:17 – "Skills first" is the key to future-proofing your career

23:50 – From job titles to skill-based hiring

25:48 – How to describe yourself through skills not job titles

27:52 – The evolution of careers from rigid paths to dynamic skills portfolios

29:46 – Curiosity and continuous learning are essential in an AI world

31:42 – Individuals career agency amid rapid change

33:41 – From hierarchical organizations to networked economies

35:31 – A billion-dollar company with no employees or a billion-dollar individual with no company?