What if the job you have today will soon require a completely different set of skills?

In this episode of AI-Curious, we talk with Dan Roth, Editor in Chief of LinkedIn, about what LinkedIn’s data reveals about the future of work, the rise of AI literacy, and why deeply human skills may matter more than ever. We dig into LinkedIn’s “Skills on the Rise” research, what employers are actually looking for now, and why the shift toward skills-based hiring is changing how people get hired, promoted, and evaluated.

We also explore the surprising rise of storytelling, public speaking, conflict resolution, and stakeholder communication in an AI-driven workplace. Along the way, we discuss why traditional resumes and polished cover letters may matter less in a world where anyone can use AI to sound impressive, and why some companies are moving toward live prototyping and real-time problem solving in interviews instead.

Later, we get into AI agents, what Dan is building himself, and how leaders can create stronger AI adoption inside their companies. We also talk about what it takes to stay competitive in a job market where AI is changing the stack of work, but not necessarily replacing the worker.

Guest
Dan Roth — Editor in Chief, LinkedIn

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What does it actually look like to use AI tools in the real world, beyond the usual chatbot prompts and hype?

In this episode of AI-Curious, Jeff Wilser shares five AI tools and workflows that are shaping how he works right now, from Claude Code and personalized news briefings to NotebookLM, multi-model prompting, and using AI to write more closely in your own voice. The goal is not to offer a comprehensive list of every AI product on the market, but to show how these tools can be used in practical ways that expand capability, streamline research, and create new workflows.

We explore how vibe coding and AI agents can help non-coders build useful internal tools, why personalized AI news feeds may become increasingly common, and how NotebookLM can synthesize large amounts of information across transcripts, documents, and YouTube videos. We also look at the benefits of using multiple AI models together instead of relying on just one, and why feeding AI much richer context can dramatically improve writing outputs.

Throughout the episode, we return to a core idea: using AI to empower, not eliminate. Rather than treating AI only as a cost-cutting tool, we examine how it can help individuals and businesses do more, think more creatively, and build smarter systems around the work that matters most.

Key topics we cover

• 3:15 — Claude Code, vibe coding, and why non-coders should be paying attention
• 6:01 — Building a custom AI-powered conference outreach and research tool
• 11:05 — “AI to empower, not eliminate” as a guiding philosophy
• 16:16 — Personalized AI news briefings and the future of customized information
• 21:58 — How NotebookLM helps synthesize transcripts, documents, and YouTube content
• 27:04 — Why a “polymodel” approach can be better than relying on one chatbot
• 31:15 — Using AI to write more closely in your own voice through deeper context

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What happens when AI stops being a productivity tool and starts reshaping the structure of work itself?

In this episode of AI-Curious, we talk with Kelly Monahan, a future of work and AI advisor, about what AI may actually do to the workplace over the next few years, and why the reality is likely to be messier than both the hype and the fear suggest. We dig into the tension between using AI for augmentation versus automation, why so many companies are still struggling to prove ROI, and how AI agents could transform business workflows while also creating major governance, accountability, and implementation challenges.

We also explore what this means for knowledge workers, middle managers, and enterprise leaders trying to adapt in real time. Along the way, we discuss why small businesses may have an advantage over large organizations, how workers can focus on higher-value contributions, and why the future of work may require not just new tools, but a new mindset.

Guest

Kelly Monahan — Future of Work and AI Advisor

Key topics we cover

• 2:49 — Kelly’s optimistic and pessimistic theses on the future of work
• 5:15 — Where AI is overhyped, and the disconnect between leaders and workers
• 6:35 — Why generative AI adds complexity inside organizations
• 10:05 — What the research says about AI ROI
• 12:54 — Where AI is delivering real wins today, especially for freelancers and small businesses
• 16:27 — Advice for leaders and middle managers inside large organizations
• 18:39 — Why curiosity, learning, and experimentation need to be rewarded
• 19:02 — AI agents, the hype cycle, and why the excitement may still be justified
• 22:25 — Why enterprises are struggling to keep pace with the speed of AI change
• 29:18 — What the future of work may look like over the next 3 to 5 years
• 30:02 — Why white-collar work could face major disruption
• 33:37 — The “elevator to skyscraper” analogy for how AI should reshape work
• 35:08 — Predictions for AI adoption, governance failures, and labor market shifts
• 39:00 — How Kelly uses AI in her own work and business

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For anyone interested in Jeff’s AI Workshops for their company:

Reach out directly at jeff@jeffwilser.com