People Push Back Against AI-First Workplaces

May 16, 2025

Dive into the chaos of AI-first workplaces as company heads rethink their tech-heavy strategies. Klarna learns the hard way that robots can't replace human empathy in customer service. Generational clashes arise as Gen Z dismisses AI-driven language learning. Discussions on LinkedIn's quirky AI job search and the EU's Pay Transparency Directive highlight the fight for fairness in hiring. With humor and sharp critiques, they explore how to balance tech and humanity in the evolving work landscape.

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ANECDOTE

Klarna's AI Customer Service Flop

Klarna replaced 700 customer service agents with AI but reverted to hiring humans due to quality issues.
CEO's overconfidence in AI replacing humans backfired, highlighting the need for empathy in service roles.

INSIGHT

Limits of Automation in Retail

Retailers cutting back self-checkout face theft and complexity issues.
Automation can increase effort and frustration, showing humans remain essential in customer service.

ANECDOTE

Duolingo Faces User Backlash

Duolingo replaced contractors with AI and faced backlash including rage quitting by users.
Young users resist full automation fearing job losses, supporting companies that employ humans.

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Buckle up for a wild ride with Joel Cheesman and Emi Beredugo, where they sling HR hot takes with the finesse of a fast-food fry cook! This episode’s a rollercoaster of laughs and eye-rolls, diving into the AI-first workplace fiasco like it’s a soap opera. Klarna’s CEO got a reality check after ditching 700 customer service reps for AI, only to realize bots can’t sweet-talk angry customers. Now they’re on a hiring spree to bring back the human touch—oops!

Duolingo, meanwhile, thought AI could teach languages better than people, but TikTok’s Gen Z army clapped back, rage-quitting the app and calling it “disgusting.” Ouch, that’s gotta sting.Then there’s IBM’s bigwig, Arvind Krishna, tossing shade at HR by saying AI freed up cash for “essential” jobs like sales.

Emi’s not having it, firing back that HR’s the backbone of fairness and inclusion, not just fluffy admin work. She’s all about adapting to AI without yeeting humans into oblivion.

LinkedIn’s new AI job search gets a nod for letting you type “I wanna save the world in sweatpants” and matching you with dream gigs, aiming to hook passive job seekers while sparing recruiters from resume spam.

Wrapping up, they tackle the EU’s 2026 Pay Transparency Directive, a game-changer forcing companies to spill salary tea upfront to shrink gender pay gaps and stop wasting everyone’s time. But, plot twist: firms better get their org charts in order or face a discrimination lawsuit mess. And they serve it all with wit juicier and tastier than a McDonald’s chicken strip!

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Personal Updates

05:54 - Shout Outs and Industry News

10:02 - Layoffs and Job Market Challenges

19:01 - AI in the Workplace: Klarna and Duolingo

23:59 - The Human Element in Automation

26:56 - The Automation Dilemma

30:15 - The Role of HR in an Automated World

36:40 - Earnings Insights: Recruit Holdings vs. ZipRecruiter

40:22 - LinkedIn's AI Job Search Innovations

46:16 - EU Pay Transparency Directive: A Game Changer