Workers today are more digitally connected than ever — and yet many feel like they have less time to do meaningful work. In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu explores how organizations can use AI to escape meeting overload and reclaim focus time.

Drawing on data from Microsoft's latest Work Trend Index, we unpack how real-time interruptions, ad hoc meetings, and fragmented communication are consuming the most critical hours of the work day. But there's a new way forward — one in which AI has the potential to become a valuable focus tool.

Learn practical strategies to use AI to filter messages, automate routine tasks, and coordinate team time more intelligently — without replacing the personal connections that matter most.

Can AI finally deliver on the long-anticipated promise of a shorter work week — or is it quietly pushing organizations toward longer hours and higher expectations?

In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu of The Upwork Research Institute breaks down what the latest data reveals about AI's impact on productivity, burnout, and how work is structured. Hear why some leaders believe a four-day work week is within reach, why many workers feel more pressure than ever, and how freelancers are showing what's possible when AI is used intentionally. Also learn about how AI can sometimes contribute to longer working hours, the risks of always-on technology, and what leaders can do right now to support more sustainable work models.

Can a business grow without adding more full-time employees? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu of The Upwork Research Institute explores why headcount is no longer the most reliable signal of success. Instead, small and medium-sized businesses are scaling through AI, experienced freelancers with AI skills, and flexible operating models.

Drawing from the latest Upwork research, industry data, and a real-world small business success story, this episode offers data-backed insights and practical takeaways for leaders rethinking what growth can look like.

The promise of AI is speed and efficiency — but what happens when outputs create more problems than they solve? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu, Senior Manager at The Upwork Research Institute, unpacks the concept of "AI slop" — low-effort, AI-generated content that looks fine on the surface but erodes trust, credibility, and productivity.

Drawing on research from the Stanford Social Media Lab, BetterUp Labs, MIT, Apiiro, and The Upwork Research Institute, we explore the hidden costs of injudicious AI use, why many organizations are failing to see ROI from their investments, and how leaders can avoid the productivity paradox. You'll also learn practical steps to prevent AI slop in your organization — from setting clearer review standards to investing in AI literacy — and see why freelancers are playing an increasingly vital role in keeping AI-enabled work both accurate and trustworthy.

How are early-career workers with AI skills setting themselves apart in today's competitive job market? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu explores how AI natives are commanding premium pay, landing promotions faster, and reshaping what employers value. Based on data from Upwork's Future Workforce Index and external industry research, the episode highlights why companies are struggling to hire AI talent, how freelancers are pulling ahead of full-time employees in AI fluency, and what business leaders and workers alike can do to thrive in this new landscape.

Whether you're building teams or building your career, this episode shows how to make AI your competitive advantage.

Shadow AI is on the rise as employees adopt unapproved AI tools to work faster and smarter. In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Kelly Monahan, Managing Director at The Upwork Research Institute, explores what's fueling this behavior; the financial, security, and ethical risks that shadow AI poses; and why outright bans are ineffective.

Learn how forward-thinking companies can reduce exposure, without stifling innovation, through clear governance, trusted tools, and strong AI literacy. Plus, find out what freelancers are doing differently — and how enterprises can learn from them.

Is the pressure to learn and use AI tools quietly unraveling your team? In this episode of Work Week, host Dr. Gabby Burlacu explores how the rapid pace of AI adoption is fueling workplace anxiety and burnout.

The episode covers a growing trend sometimes called "quiet cracking" — a persistent feeling of unhappiness in the workplace that often leads to disengagement. One factor driving quiet cracking is the expectation workers feel that they have to use AI tools. Many are faking AI fluency, afraid to admit what they don't know. A lack of psychological safety only makes things worse — diminishing trust, learning, and long-term performance.

Learn practical steps leaders can take to address AI anxiety and create a safe space for workers to experiment with and learn about AI tools.

Will vibe coding replace software engineers — or redefine their role? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Kelly Monahan, Managing Director at The Upwork Research Institute, unpacks how AI is changing the software development process. Learn why developers who collaborate with AI are in high demand, and how engineering roles are shifting from execution to orchestration.

Whether you're a leader building a tech team or a developer navigating change, this episode offers clear insights and practical steps to help you thrive in the age of AI-powered coding.