AI Isn’t Taking Jobs. Our Addiction to Fast Is.

Fast impact or sustainable human-centric growth?

The rumours were swirling. People saw the consultants. Meetings to review processes and requirements. The writing was on the wall: 'AI is coming'. Fear. Uncertainty. Hope. Then the invite 'all hands meeting'. The CEO is on screen, flanked by his CFO and CHRO. His words left employees in shock: "As you know, we have been investing in new technology. Together, we are beginning to harness the power of AI: enabling all of us to do our best work. To be clear, there won’t be lay-offs. Rather, AI helps us unlock the freedom to focus on what matters most: growth (in all its versions) , innovation, well-being and human connection. It opens space for us to breathe, to think, to connect with colleagues and clients, and to invest our energy in the projects that shape our shared future. This is just the beginning of how AI will help us grow as a company and as individuals."

Of course a hypothetical story. But can you imagine? 

The truth looks different. And here is where reality intrudes on the imagined scene. Salesforce made headlines when it laid off 4,000 customer support employees, directly linking the decision to its adoption of AI agents. The story spread fast: AI is coming for our jobs. But is that really true? Or is it our human desire for quick wins, for easy answers, that drives these decisions?

The massive hype around AI reminds me of the days of Big Data, CRM systems and data-driven decision making. Millions invested. All to say ‘we have data’.

Real lasting impact, real lasting change? Hmm, that would require actual behaviour change. That’s the hard part. Change takes time. It takes courage to be a beginner. It takes vulnerability. None of these show up easily on a quarterly balance sheet.

Layoffs, on the other hand, show up instantly. Reduce payroll, report productivity gains. And they show action. CEOs get to prove to investors: “Here’s what I’ve done for you lately.” They are human too, under pressure, afraid of missing out on the AI wave. Who can blame them?

But here’s the deeper truth: AI isn’t laying people off. Humans are. And often, humans are choosing the easy path. The fast path. The illusion of impact.

I feel for the CHROs. They find themselves in the crossfire. Expected to deliver cost savings while knowing the cultural damage runs deep. Asked to embrace AI while sensing it could be the very tool to make work more human—if used differently. A conundrum. 

The real problem isn’t AI. It’s our addiction to fast and easy. We have a value problem. Our social media feeds are full of tips and tricks on realising dreams and goals fast. And yet the work that matters—the work that sustains people and businesses—has always required something slower, braver. 

What if CHROs reframed the conversation in the boardroom? Instead of “AI replaces,” say: “AI releases.” Releases capacity. Releases time to think. Releases energy to connect with customers and co-workers. Releases emotional burden to innovate and dream. I am looking forward to reading those media articles. 

I deeply believe that we all want jobs that bring us well-being across several factors. I deeply believe that we all have tasks in our daily lives we are happy to pass on to AI. I deeply believe we can make work more human together with AI.

CHROs know this truth. But it is the harder path. It takes patience, courage, a human mindset. But it will deliver long-term sustainable growth. How magical is that? 

Let’s stop chasing easy. Let’s start choosing human + AI. Let’s make work worth being human.