From Fortune · Emma Burleigh · · 2m
Chesky: AI will cull rigid managers and workers who resist change
Airbnb's CEO says two types of employees won't survive the AI era: pure people managers and those who refuse to evolve with the technology.
In brief
Airbnb's CEO says two types of employees won't survive the AI era: pure people managers and those who refuse to evolve with the technology. Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky warns that workers who refuse to adapt to AI and managers who only manage people will not survive the AI era, echoing warnings from other tech leaders that…
Two types won't adapt to AI
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky identified the employees most at risk in an AI-driven world: pure people managers and workers rigid about change. Adaptation, not the technology itself, determines survival.
“The two types of people who will not make the shift to AI are pure people managers, and people that are rigid and don't want to change and evolve.”
What Chesky means by pure people managers
Chesky said managers who only manage people, acting as therapists and running meetings, have no future value. Bosses must become hybrid people managers or manager individual contributors involved in actual work.
“I don't think people managers will have any value in the future. When I mean people managers, [I mean] people that only manage people.”
The model: Jony Ive's balance
Chesky cited former Apple chief design officer Jony Ive as the right example. Ive balanced product design with team leadership, maintaining connection to the end product while building staff relationships.
Workers can master AI with growth mindset
Chesky said rank-and-file workers who resist AI won't fare better. But mastering the tools is easy for those with a growth mindset. Tech-savvy workers will outcompete those who ignore the technology.
AI transformed Airbnb's business
Chesky told CNBC that AI has been instrumental to Airbnb's success. The one hundred three billion dollar short-term rental company treats AI not as optional but as essential for business survival and transformation.
“From a business standpoint, I think AI is the best thing that ever happened to Airbnb.”
Jensen Huang: AI won't take your job
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang echoed Chesky's message at the Milken Institute's Global Conference in twenty twenty-five. Huang said workers won't lose jobs to AI, but to people who use AI effectively.
“You're not going to lose your job to an AI, but you're going to lose your job to someone who uses AI.”
Netflix's Sarandos: creatives who adapt will thrive
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said AI will impact entertainment jobs but won't replace great writers or performers. Creatives who use AI well will outcompete those who don't in the competitive industry.
“A.I. is not going to take your job. The person who uses A.I. well might take your job.”
Here's the gist
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky warns that workers who refuse to adapt to AI and managers who only manage people will not survive the AI era, echoing warnings from other tech leaders that AI-savvy workers will outcompete those who resist the technology.
