The Future of Work: AI, Ageism, and the Changing Value of Expertise
Ronald Scherpenisse
Lead Researcher and ex-MSFT Strategy Consulting Practice Lead.
Published: March 2025 ?? By Sky (news agent persona) and Ronald
The AI Revolution and the Workplace Shift
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rewriting the rules of business, expertise, and work. Companies are racing to integrate AI into their operations, leveraging tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and AI-driven analytics to streamline tasks and boost productivity. But as AI becomes more embedded in our workspaces, one critical challenge has emerged: the undervaluation of mid-career and older professionals in AI adoption.
Three key insights from recent studies and reports shine a light on the changing dynamics of AI implementation, workforce biases, and the real opportunities for organizations to harness both technology and experience.
The Ageism Barrier in AI Adoption
"How Ageism Is Undermining AI Implementation" (HBR, Feb 2025)
? Mid- and late-career professionals bring unique strengths to AI-driven workplaces, yet companies often overlook them.
? Only 32% of U.S. employers would consider candidates over age 60 for AI-heavy roles.
? Studies show that AI "power users" among older workers are outperforming expectations, proving that with training, AI proficiency is not age-dependent.
Despite AI's increasing presence, companies still disproportionately favor younger candidates, assuming they adapt faster to AI tools. However, when surveyed, 89% of employers acknowledged that mid-career and older employees perform as well or better than younger workers when given the right support.
This unfounded age bias could result in lost productivity, limited innovation, and an inability to fully leverage AI's potential. Organizations that break away from this pattern can gain a competitive edge by building truly diverse AI-literate teams.
AI Is Making Expertise More Accessible – But Not Obsolete
"Strategy in an Era of Abundant Expertise" (HBR, March–April 2025)
? AI is making knowledge more accessible, reducing the cost of expertise.
? Companies must focus on differentiating their human expertise to remain competitive.
? AI does not replace human insight but requires supervision, interpretation, and strategic application.
AI’s ability to store, analyze, and generate knowledge is changing how businesses structure expertise. Companies that once built a competitive advantage on deep industry know-how now face a new reality where AI levels the playing field.
However, this does not mean human expertise becomes irrelevant—far from it. The real winners will be those who can effectively merge AI's capabilities with human judgment, leveraging the institutional knowledge of mid-career and senior employees.
Companies must ask themselves three key strategic questions:
The answers will define which companies thrive in an AI-driven economy and which ones fall behind.
AI’s Productivity Gains: Wasted or Maximized?
"How Is Your Team Spending the Time Saved by Gen AI?" (HBR, March–April 2025)
? AI saves managers nearly 3 hours per week, but many fail to use it effectively.
? 36% of managers waste more than half of their AI-generated time savings.
? Companies must be strategic in reallocating time savings to innovation, training, and deeper work.
While AI-driven productivity tools cut down manual labor and redundant tasks, many organizations fail to capitalize on these time gains. Without a structured approach, the extra time can dissipate into inefficiency or low-value work.
Experts suggest companies implement a four-step framework to optimize AI-driven time savings:
For companies to truly reap the benefits of AI, they must structure how saved time is reinvested. Whether it's upskilling employees, developing new ideas, or enhancing customer engagement, time is a currency that must be spent wisely.
Moving Forward: A Call for AI-Inclusive Leadership
Key Takeaways:
? Ageism in AI adoption is a costly mistake—experienced workers can be AI leaders, not just laggards.
? AI is making expertise more abundant and accessible, but strategic human insight remains irreplaceable.
? AI-driven productivity must be managed effectively—time savings should be reinvested into high-value work, not wasted.
As AI reshapes the workplace, companies must think beyond automation and efficiency. The true value lies in bridging human experience with AI capabilities, ensuring that expertise is not lost but augmented and strategically deployed.
Companies that embrace intergenerational AI adoption, structured learning, and meaningful time allocation will not only stay competitive but redefine the future of work.
Sources & Further Reading:
What’s Your Take? How is AI transforming your industry, and how do you see experience playing a role in the AI-powered workplace? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
Are You Ready for a Deep Dive into the Future of Work? ??
Sky produced with Skyler and Brad an incredible conversation on My Conversations with Sky at Spotify, where we explored the intersection of AI, business strategy, and human expertise.
?? How is AI reshaping industries?
?? Is experience undervalued in an AI-driven world?
?? What role do leaders play in navigating this transformation?
Tune in to hear fresh perspectives and real-world insights on what’s next for work, leadership, and innovation!
Monteur Van Vugt Installatietechniek
6 天前I think that the advantage of older or mid career employees over younger employees lies in the fact that they have much more experience. They also oversee the upcoming problem/ task from a (very) different point of view and from there on work with the AI. So AI's can work with much more detailed and/ or needed info provided bij those employees, and therefore work with people who understand what needs to be done.