Anti-DEI Speaker Sparks Outrage, Shadow AI, Gen Z Chooses AI Over Humans, & Only 40% of Jobs Are Quality

Friday October 17, 2025: In this episode of Future Ready Today...

The Wall Street Journal reports that SHRM’s invitation to anti-DEI speaker Robby Starbuck triggered outrage across HR circles. Jacob explains why boycotting the event might reveal more about HR’s fragility than its values.

Then, a Times of India report shows nearly half of U.S. employees are secretly using AI tools at work — a growing “shadow AI” movement that exposes weak leadership and poor communication.

Reuters highlights how Citigroup’s AI copilots now save 100,000 hours per week, while Unleash.ai and Gallup reveal deep workforce divides: only one in three workers feel future-ready and just 40% have a “quality job.”

Finally, HR Canada Magazine finds that Gen Z workers feel more comfortable talking to ChatGPT than coworkers — and Harvard Business Review questions if CHROs should abandon performance improvement plans.

Each story uncovers one truth: the future belongs to leaders who can handle discomfort, embrace AI, and rebuild trust in the workplace.

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