What happens when AI can do more of the work we’ve traditionally assigned to people?

For many organizations, the conversation quickly turns to automation, efficiency, and workforce disruption. But according to Lara Albert, the more important conversation is about adaptability.

As AI continues to reshape how work gets done, leaders face a critical challenge: helping people develop the skills, judgment, and confidence needed to thrive alongside increasingly intelligent technology. The future will not belong to organizations that simply deploy AI. It will belong to organizations that help people evolve with it.

In this episode of Now to Next, Lara Albert joins me to explore the realities behind AI transformation, workforce readiness, leadership responsibility, and the human capabilities that will matter most in the years ahead.

Highlights:

• Why adaptability is becoming the most important workforce skill in the AI era
• The difference between what AI can do and what AI should do
• How organizations can drive AI adoption without creating fear
• Why leadership and trust become more important as technology advances
• The role of human judgment in an increasingly automated workplace
• How companies can prepare employees for continuous change
• Why AI should augment human potential rather than replace it
• What future career growth may look like as work continues to evolve

Guest:

Lara Albert is a senior marketing executive with more than two decades of experience helping organizations drive growth, innovation, and transformation. She has led world-class brands, launched breakthrough products, and guided teams through periods of significant market and technological change.

Known for her strategic perspective and passion for leadership development, Lara brings a practical and human-centered view to the future of work and the role AI will play in shaping it.

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(0:00) Introduction
(1:25) Laura Albert’s background and role at SAP SuccessFactors
(2:20) Personal connection to early talent and evolving entry level jobs
(5:16) Impact of AI on early talent expectations
(7:47) Redesigning the career ladder and defining early talent
(12:19) Developing foundational skills in the age of AI
(15:04) Reworking HR processes, workflows, and readiness for change
(19:17) Advice for students, parents, and hiring managers
(21:48) The importance of adaptability and realism in career paths
(24:04) Responsibility and strategies for redesigning entry level jobs with AI
(26:24) Research insights on AI literacy for new graduates
(27:37) Governance and guidance on AI tools in education
(28:23) Concerns of CHROs regarding AI implementation
(30:43) The rise of shadow AI and AI brain fry in the workplace
(33:13) Importance of AI fluency and job evolution in the age of AI
(37:17) Connecting with Laura Albert and accessing research
(38:09) SAP’s collaboration with industry analysts and thought leaders
(39:32) Closing remarks