In this episode of The Future of Less Work, host Nirit Cohen is joined by Colette Stallbaumer, General Manager of Microsoft 365 Copilot and Co-Founder of WorkLab, for a timely conversation about how AI is reshaping the very language we use to talk about work.

Together, they unpack Microsoft’s 2025 Work Trend Index, a report that doesn’t just offer predictions—it reframes how we define organizations, teams, and careers in the age of AI. From the rise of Frontier Firms and Agent Bosses, to the shift from org charts to Work Charts, to the idea of Intelligence on Tap as a new kind of workplace capacity, this episode explores the bold new vocabulary that will shape the future of work.

If you’ve ever wondered how AI will change not just how we work—but how we manage, lead, and grow—this is the episode for you.

https://youtu.be/q6fMIsRo2ow

Guest Information:

Colette Stallbaumer is Co-Founder of Microsoft WorkLab and General Manager of Microsoft 365 Copilot. She leads the team behind the Microsoft Work Trend Index, driving research to help predict and shape a more fulfilling future of work for all. Her team is focused on helping every customer adapt and thrive as they become AI-first businesses. For the latest data and insights on how work is changing, visit WorkLab and the 2025 Annual Work Trend Index.

Chapters:

00:00 – How AI Is Redefining the Future of Work
01:09 – Why 2025 Is a Turning Point for Work and Technology
02:27 – What Does 'Intelligence on Tap' Really Mean?
04:18 – Leaders Are Now Driving AI Adoption
05:58 – How to Become an 'Agent Boss' in the Age of AI
07:55 – Real Examples of Using Agents to Boost Productivity
09:25 – Junior Employees Can Do Senior-Level Work
11:08 – Daily AI Use Is the Real Competitive Edge
13:19 – From Org Charts to Work Charts: Restructuring for AI
15:02 – AI Is Breaking Down Silos Across Functions
16:14 – Why Humans Still Matter in an AI-Driven Workplace
18:29 – What Is the Right Human-Agent Ratio?
20:30 – AI Agents Will Join Teams in Three Phases
21:51 – What Makes a Company a 'Frontier Firm'?
23:53 – Inside the Microsoft 2025 Work Trends Index25:50 – The One Piece of Advice for Thriving in the AI Era
28:43 – Why Everyone Needs to Become the AI-Human Bridge
32:09 – Work Only Works When It Works for People

In this episode of The Future of Less Work, host Nirit Cohen is joined by Delphine Donné, General Manager of Personal Workspace Solutions at Logitech, for a powerful conversation about redesigning work to fit people—not the other way around.

Together, they explore what happens when organizations move beyond one-size-fits-all models and co-create work environments that prioritize flexibility, wellbeing, and inclusion. From designing organizations with wellbeing in mind, to embracing flexible work as a strategic advantage, to the impact of ergonomic tools and diverse teams, this episode unpacks the small shifts that can make a big difference—and why the future of work must be personal, adaptable, and human-centered.

If you are curious to understand how small changes at work can make a big impact on wellbeing and why one-size-fits-all work doesn’t work anymore, this is the episode for you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZL70EFHtRI

Guest Information:

Delphine Donné, VP & General Manager of Personal Workspace Solutions at Logitech:

Delphine is a people-first leader and executive with over 25 years of experience in consumer electronics. Lived and worked in China, North America, and Europe she has transformed many global businesses leading innovation and forming cross-functional global teams. Today, she leads Logitech’s biggest business group, Personal Workspace Solutions (over 2.5bn$).
Her mission is to impact people’s lives by creating simple and delightful experiences. A mission that is greatly influenced by her international journey exposing her to different western and eastern mindsets, e.g. China, audience-focused, diverse & inclusive design and innovation, and environmental sustainability are at the center of this mission and are rooted in how she builds any new vision, strategies, organizations and talents. Her current organization is 50/50 women/men (vs. 26% global average) and hosts 30+ different nationalities. The product portfolio she manages is entirely carbon neutral with 2 in 3 products using PCR plastics. She believes that technology must drive more sustainable and inclusive innovation. Fully committed to realizing the company's pledge to being carbon positive by 2030, she leads the way inspiring others through her organization. In her opinion, innovation brings change, and any change leads to exciting, new opportunities.
Delphine is one of only 19%* of women in the tech industry that reach the executive level, and she is a mother of two children. She finds herself in the position of a role model, which she views as a serious and integral responsibility, and as such devotes herself to driving action for a more equal and better future for generations to come.

Chapters:

00:00 – Why RTO Mandates Are Failing
06:30 – How To Design Work Around People?
08:30 – How Do We Support Work from Anywhere?
10:20 – Why Flexibility Attracts Top Talent
12:00 – Why One-Size-Fits-All Work Doesn’t Work
14:00 – Can Ergonomics Improve Wellbeing?
17:30 – How Inclusion Drives Better Products
19:30 – Where Will We Work in the Future?
21:30 – How Can AI Help Us Work Smarter?
24:30 – What Does Modern Leadership Require?
27:50 – Why Wellbeing Is the Future of Work
30:00 – Are You Happy With How You Work?

Can AI make work more human?

What happens when the work your people used to find value in is no longer the work you need them to do?

In this episode of The Future of Less Work, host Nirit Cohen sits down with Kelly Jones, Chief People Officer at Cisco, to discuss how AI is changing work and HR.

Together they explore what it really takes to lead through a time when work is being redefined—by AI, by shifting values, and by the demand for flexibility and meaning.

From rethinking leadership beyond physical office spaces to using AI for personalized learning and well-being, Kelly offers a grounded, practical view of the path forward.

And she leaves us with one powerful challenge: Are we involving the right voices—creatives, ethicists, humanists—in shaping what comes next?

Want to dive deeper into this topic? Read Nirit’s Forbes article, “Why AI At Work Needs Humans At The Wheel “, to explore these ideas further.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2nhGBb8JN4

Guest Information:

Kelly Jones is Chief People Officer at Cisco, where she steers the people strategies, functions, policies, and operations that empower 84,000+ employees to achieve extraordinary results and thrive. She leads the People Team, directing the design and implementation of data-driven, people-first solutions critical to Cisco’s business transformation, enterprisegoals, and company vision.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellykjones

Chapters:

00:00 – How Do We Guide Humans Through AI Disruption?
03:25 – What Changed in the Workplace Five Years After COVID?
05:30 – Why Return-to-Office Mandates Miss the Point?
07:40 – How Do You Lead Distributed Teams Effectively?
09:40 –Well-Being Is Now a Performance Strategy
11:50 – Will AI Replace Humans or Elevate Work?
13:30 – What Is ‘Humans at the Wheel’ Leadership?
15:00 – The Rise of Power Skills
17:20 – Hire for Skills Instead of Roles
19:25 – Will People Trust AI as Their Coach?
21:25 – What Keeps CHROs Up at Night in the Age of AI?
23:40 – Who Should Shape the Future of Work?