From Fortune · Preston Fore · · 1m 20s
Schmidt: AI will kill the meeting burden
Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt says artificial intelligence will eliminate thousands of coordinator jobs but create opportunities for those who embrace the technology.
In brief
Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt says artificial intelligence will eliminate thousands of coordinator jobs but create opportunities for those who embrace the technology. Eric Schmidt predicts AI will eliminate thousands of coordinator roles in large companies, but says young workers who embrace the technology will find new…
Schmidt's meeting marathon at Google
As Google CEO, Eric Schmidt spent roughly sixty three hours a week in meetings coordinating people and managing crises. He estimated working twelve hours daily in conference rooms, five days a week, plus weekends.
“I used to tell people my job is to sit in meetings 12 hours a day, five days a week, and I work on the weekend, too.”
AI will eliminate the coordination tax
Schmidt believes artificial intelligence can now handle the coordination work that once consumed his calendar. AI platforms for business can eliminate what he calls the coordination tax across departments and organizations.
“Much of that coordination tax can be eliminated by these AI platforms for business.”
Thousands of jobs will disappear
Schmidt points to an unnamed friend who laid off twenty percent of his workforce, including coordinators and information planners. In a ten thousand person company, Schmidt estimates you have a couple of thousand unnecessary employees.
“Let's say you're running a 10,000-person company, my guess is you've got a couple of thousand people who you don't need.”
Gen Z must embrace AI or fall behind
Schmidt told University of Arizona graduates to get on the AI rocket ship rather than resist it. He says young people need to find ways to build AI and become great inventors, salespeople, and leaders.
“When someone offers you a seat on the rocket ship, you do not ask which seat. You just get on.”
In short
Eric Schmidt predicts AI will eliminate thousands of coordinator roles in large companies, but says young workers who embrace the technology will find new opportunities.
