Work Week

Shadow AI is on the rise as employees adopt unapproved AI tools to work faster and smarter. In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Kelly Monahan, Managing Director at The Upwork Research Institute, explores what's fueling this behavior; the financial, security, and ethical risks that shadow AI poses; and why outright bans are ineffective.

Learn how forward-thinking companies can reduce exposure, without stifling innovation, through clear governance, trusted tools, and strong AI literacy. Plus, find out what freelancers are doing differently — and how enterprises can learn from them.

Is the pressure to learn and use AI tools quietly unraveling your team? In this episode of Work Week, host Dr. Gabby Burlacu explores how the rapid pace of AI adoption is fueling workplace anxiety and burnout.

The episode covers a growing trend sometimes called "quiet cracking" — a persistent feeling of unhappiness in the workplace that often leads to disengagement. One factor driving quiet cracking is the expectation workers feel that they have to use AI tools. Many are faking AI fluency, afraid to admit what they don't know. A lack of psychological safety only makes things worse — diminishing trust, learning, and long-term performance.

Learn practical steps leaders can take to address AI anxiety and create a safe space for workers to experiment with and learn about AI tools.

Will vibe coding replace software engineers — or redefine their role? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Kelly Monahan, Managing Director at The Upwork Research Institute, unpacks how AI is changing the software development process. Learn why developers who collaborate with AI are in high demand, and how engineering roles are shifting from execution to orchestration.

Whether you're a leader building a tech team or a developer navigating change, this episode offers clear insights and practical steps to help you thrive in the age of AI-powered coding.

How can managers use AI to improve mentorship programs — without becoming overreliant on AI tools? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu explores how AI can help free up time and enable managers to focus on becoming better mentors. Leaders often struggle with administrative overload, burnout, and eroding connections with their teams, and in this episode we'll discuss how AI can streamline routine tasks and help managers strengthen human relationships.

Featuring insights from Dr. Jenna Butler, Principal Applied Research Scientist at Microsoft, the episode highlights the difference between AI as a support system and AI as a substitute. Also learn about the risk of overreliance on simulated empathy from AI tools and a practical three-step framework for mentoring with AI as your co-pilot.

What differentiates top-performing companies from their peers when it comes to how they think about and implement AI? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Kelly Monahan explores how high-performing organizations are more confident, strategic, and optimistic in their approach to AI. Drawing from an analysis of hundreds of company earnings call transcripts, this episode breaks down how leaders talk about AI in earnings calls, what their sentiment reveals, and what companies with a more cautious mindset can learn to stay competitive. If you want to shift your AI mindset from hesitant to high-performing, this episode is for you.

Organizations are rethinking how executive roles affect business agility — and fractional C-suite positions are on the rise. In this episode of Work Week, host Dr. Gabby Burlacu explores what's driving the shift toward part-time and contract-based executives. We unpack new data and discuss use cases for fractional leadership, as well as the changing expectations of today's workforce. Hear firsthand examples of how fractional executives are redefining success — and what it all means for leaders, businesses, and the future of work. Tune in for key insights and action steps to rethink how your organization scales leadership.

Is your organization focused on automating the right tasks with AI — or just the ones that seem to drive the most productivity? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Kelly Monahan, Managing Director at The Upwork Research Institute, discusses research from Stanford University that reveals a critical disconnect between AI investments and the tasks employees actually want automated.

We explore Stanford's four-zone framework for AI task alignment. Learn which tasks are best suited for AI delegation, how shifting skill demands are reshaping the workplace, and three practical steps to align AI investment with worker preferences.

Why is demand for non-technical roles growing — even in an AI-powered world of work? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu from The Upwork Research Institute explores how trust is shaping demand for roles once considered at risk of automation. Drawing on the latest Upwork data, we discuss how freelancers and knowledge workers are leveraging AI as an augmentation tool that makes them irreplaceable — and why clients are more than twice as likely to trust work done by humans using AI than AI alone. From legal consulting and financial strategy to design and project management, we'll discuss how trusted professionals are applying their human judgment to their tech fluency. Whether you're a business leader or a freelancer, this episode offers strategic insights and practical steps for thriving in the trust-centered, AI-augmented workplace.

Are you taking AI generalist skills into consideration as you hire new workers and develop your existing team? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Kelly Monahan of The Upwork Research Institute discusses the rise of the AI generalist: a new kind of worker who blends AI literacy with critical human strengths like creativity, strategy, and communication. Drawing on recent Upwork platform data, this episode explores how AI is transforming roles across job categories. Rather than replacing workers, AI is reshaping work — and this shift is creating a talent premium for those who adapt. Learn how businesses can hire or develop AI generalists, and get tips for building these future-ready skills yourself. Whether you're leading a team or growing your career, learn how to stay relevant and competitive in an AI-powered world.

Is AI closing the door on entry-level job seekers—or reshaping the path into the workforce? During this episode of Work Week, Dr. Kelly Monahan explores how recent college grads can compete in a hiring landscape increasingly shaped by automation, rising expectations, and evolving roles. With unemployment among recent college grads higher than the national average, job seekers are questioning the value of their college degrees and wondering how to stand out in an AI-driven job market.

In this episode, learn relevant data about the entry-level job market, as well as tips to stand out as a job seeker. If you're a manager or business leader, also learn how you can rethink entry-level roles and your hiring process to future-proof your organization.