Automation Anywhere CEO: AI Will Eliminate 80% of Work — And That’s a Good Thing
Mar 26, 2025
auto_awesome
Mihir Shukla, CEO and co-founder of Automation Anywhere, discusses the revolutionary impact of AI on the job market and productivity. He explains how AI can elevate workers from low-wage jobs to high-paying careers in mere months. Mihir dives into the essential skills for thriving in an AI world and the difference between AI agents and chatbots. He also shares insights on the importance of re-skilling, the potential of micro startups in democratizing entrepreneurship, and emphasizes the need for critical thinking in education for future generations.
AI is set to eliminate 80% of traditional work, promoting a necessary shift towards more meaningful and productive tasks.
Reskilling is crucial for individuals to thrive in an AI-dominated job market, making adaptability an essential skill for the future.
The transformative potential of AI can address pressing societal issues by reallocating human effort towards solving complex challenges like poverty and climate change.
Deep dives
The Role of AI in Increasing Productivity
AI serves as a crucial tool for enhancing productivity in various sectors. The discussion emphasizes the necessity of doubling productivity to counteract potential societal issues, such as riots and weakened democracies, that arise from insufficient resources. By employing AI effectively, individuals and organizations can improve their outputs and establish a more equitable distribution of wealth and opportunities. The urgency to harness this technology is underscored by the rapidly changing job market, where individuals must adapt to thrive alongside AI advancements.
The Journey of Automation Anywhere
Automation Anywhere has grown into a prominent enterprise software company specializing in AI agents and automation, boasting over 5,000 customers across 90 countries. The company is driven by a mission to redefine work processes through innovative technologies. The CEO's personal journey from a small town in India to leading a global tech organization exemplifies the transformative power of technology and the pursuit of a meaningful life beyond mundane tasks. This ambitious vision positions Automation Anywhere at the forefront of AI-driven automation.
The Importance of Reskilling for the Future
There is a pressing need for individuals to reskill themselves in anticipation of the dominance of AI in the workforce. Many jobs are expected to be automated, with significant portions of roles requiring individuals to adapt to AI tools actively. The discussion stresses that preparing for these changes is a shared responsibility between employees and employers, with an emphasis on proactive engagement. By acquiring new skills focused on AI, individuals can position themselves advantageously in the evolving job market.
The Impact of AI on Work and Society
The integration of AI in workplaces is expected to bring about substantial changes in job roles and the nature of work itself. Tasks that traditionally consumed significant time and resources can now be automated, freeing up human effort for more complex and rewarding pursuits. The conversation highlights how history has shown that technological advancements have consistently led to reallocating human energy toward more meaningful problems. This transformative potential of AI raises the prospect of creatively solving critical societal challenges, such as poverty and climate change.
The Future Landscape of Work
The future job market is poised for significant shifts, with predictions that new roles will emerge while others will be transformed by AI. The conversation suggests that traditional job structures will evolve as industries become increasingly reliant on AI to enhance productivity and efficiency. It is noted that while some jobs may vanish, new opportunities will arise as a result of these advancements, leading to an optimistic outlook for those who can adapt. Emphasizing the need for continuous learning, individuals are encouraged to view AI as a collaborator that can enhance their work experience, rather than a threat.
Mihir Shukla is the CEO and co-founder of Automation Anywhere, a global leader in AI-powered automation with over 300 million AI agents deployed around the world. In this episode, Mihir joins me to reveal what most people don’t understand about the future of work — and why it’s already here.
We explore how AI will reshape your job, your company, and society as a whole. Mihir shares how his company took someone from flipping burgers at $15/hr to landing a $120K AI job — in just 3 months — and why re-skilling isn’t optional, it’s essential.
We dive into:
The real difference between AI agents and chatbots (and why it matters)
Why productivity isn’t just an economic issue — it’s a civilizational one
The #1 skill that will define who stays relevant in an AI world
How Mihir sees Level 5 AI agents learning, adapting, and improving on their own
What his children taught him about the future of search, work, and education
Why we should stop asking AI for answers and start learning to ask better questions
This episode is both a wake-up call and a blueprint for thriving in the age of AI. Whether you're a founder, a parent, or just trying to stay ahead, this conversation will shift how you think about what’s coming next.