What Do We Want to Be When AI Grows Up - ManpowerGroup Reflections

What do we want work to be once AI grows up?

Global leaders convened at the World Economic Forum in Davos under the theme of Collaboration for the Intelligent Age. With the transformative power of GenAI a significant focus, a leadership panel hosted by ManpowerGroup asked: “What do we want work to be once AI grows up?” This question could not be timelier.

Redefining Human Value in the Age of AI: The Future of Work

The nature of work is undergoing a profound transformation. Driven by rapid technological advancements and economic uncertainty, the global labor market is evolving at an unprecedented pace. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, by 2030, 22% of today’s jobs will be either created or displaced due to structural changes. Among the fastest-growing skills will be AI and big data.

However, this seismic shift is not just about numbers. It’s about the very essence of work and human value in a future increasingly dominated by AI. While employers strive to navigate this landscape, a staggering 39% of existing skills are projected to become obsolete within just five years. The challenge isn't just keeping up with technological advancements—it's redefining how we value human work in an AI-driven world.

The Philosophical Shift: Human Fulfillment in a Digital Future

Amid these enormous changes, ManpowerGroup’s panel, The Meaning of Work in the Age of AI, delved into the philosophical and practical implications of the new work era. Key questions arose: How will we measure human value when AI takes over more cognitive tasks? Can work still provide purpose and fulfillment if machines are capable of doing so much of what we once did?

Becky Frankiewicz, Chief Commercial Officer and President of North America at ManpowerGroup; Dr. Athina Kanioura, EVP and Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer at PepsiCo; and Francine Katsoudas, EVP and Chief People, Policy, and Purpose Officer at Cisco, explored these questions, offering a glimpse into the future of human identity in the workplace.

Trust: The Bridge Between Technology and Humanity

A key point of consensus from the panel was that the fundamental question of what work will become in an AI-driven future cannot be answered with the conventional metrics of productivity and efficiency. As AI increasingly handles cognitive tasks, we must expand our vision of work. This shift is inherently unsettling for many, and the panelists acknowledged the deep fears surrounding job displacement.

As Frankiewicz put it, “The future of work is in our hands—the visions we cast, the stances that we take. As work becomes more digital, how do we make sure it also becomes more human?” For Frankiewicz, the key lies in redefining the value of human work—not just in terms of productivity, but in terms of what makes work meaningful.

Katsoudas echoed this sentiment, stating, “Behind everything we’re talking about is an element of trust.” For Cisco, building that trust involved creating a workplace environment centered on well-being, as evidenced by their daily quizzes on employee sleep patterns and overall health. Once trust was established, the company could nurture a more human-centered workplace. This balance between technological progress and human value is crucial as we move forward.

Ethical Implementation: Making AI a Tool for Human Advancement

Another crucial aspect of integrating AI into the workforce is the ethical considerations surrounding its use. At PepsiCo, AI’s implementation is treated as a strategic priority but is embedded within the company’s broader responsible business framework. “AI is not different than any other part of the business,” Dr. Kanioura emphasized. Ethical concerns, such as bias mitigation, are incorporated into their AI policies, ensuring that technology is used to enhance, rather than replace, human capabilities.

The future of AI will not solely rely on technical expertise; the education system must evolve to ensure that workers are prepared for a blend of technical and human-centered skills. As Katsoudas pointed out, “You need social sciences; you need STEM; you need behavioral science.” Tomorrow’s workforce will need a diverse set of skills—technical knowledge combined with critical thinking, problem solving, and soft skills that machines cannot replicate but are essential for success in virtually every field.

The Future of Work: Human-Centric, AI-Enhanced

The panel’s discussions underscored an essential truth: The future of work will not be defined solely by what we do, but by how we do it. As AI becomes more sophisticated, the competitive advantage will belong to organizations that understand how to leverage technology to enhance human potential.

Ultimately, this transformation requires a fundamental reassessment of how we measure human value in the workplace. When AI can perform many cognitive tasks more efficiently than humans, what remains our unique contribution? The answer lies in our distinctly human qualities—creativity, emotional intelligence, ethical judgment, and our capacity for forming meaningful connections.

Dr. Kanioura highlighted that the beauty of AI, especially GenAI, lies in its user experience. “You do not need to understand the technology for it to enable you to make better decisions and work smarter.” Success in the transition to an AI-driven workplace will not be measured merely by adoption rates or productivity gains. Instead, it will depend on our ability to create environments where AI complements human capabilities, making work more meaningful, sustainable, and ultimately more human.

As Frankiewicz concluded, “When you have AI, you’re future-proofing your skills and enabling employees to do work that is uniquely human, that’s meaningful and purposeful.” This vision of the future, where technology and humanity coexist to enhance work, promises a world where AI doesn’t diminish human value—it amplifies it.

The challenge ahead is both technological and philosophical: ensuring that as AI matures, it serves human aspirations, rather than undermining them. With thoughtful leadership and a commitment to ethical practices, the future of work can be a space where technology enriches the human experience, rather than replacing it.