

The Future of Work
UC Berkeley Extension
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the way we worked and the skills we needed to succeed in our respective fields was shifting. Increased reliance on data to inform business decisions. The automation of job duties that made some workers redundant. The value of incorporating sustainability into everyday processes on the bottom line.
And then COVID-19 shut down the world. Racism and inequalities came to dominate every conversation. And as companies grapple with DE&I initiates and engage with a remote workforce, the way we work today looks drastically different than from just a few years ago. What trends, skills, initiatives and equity will we face in the years to come? Each month, we talk with industry leaders in their fields to discuss the changing evolution of the workforce and the skills needed to stay competitive.
And then COVID-19 shut down the world. Racism and inequalities came to dominate every conversation. And as companies grapple with DE&I initiates and engage with a remote workforce, the way we work today looks drastically different than from just a few years ago. What trends, skills, initiatives and equity will we face in the years to come? Each month, we talk with industry leaders in their fields to discuss the changing evolution of the workforce and the skills needed to stay competitive.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 14, 2025 • 32min
AI and the Hiring Game, Part 2
Leandro Cartelli, founder of a staffing agency connecting U.S. businesses with Latin American talent, shares his insights on AI in recruitment. He discusses how AI can streamline hiring but warns against its impersonal nature. Ghosting candidates and reducing culture to keywords make job searches feel like a numbers game. Leandro advocates for better candidate experiences through clear communication and human interaction. He also emphasizes the importance of cultural insights and networking strategies to stand out in a competitive market.

Oct 25, 2025 • 31min
AI and the Hiring Game, Part 1
This month, we're looking through the eyes of recruiters to see how AI is rewriting the rules of hiring. With hundreds of resumes for every role and too few recruiters to review them, algorithms now decide who makes it through the virtual and actual door. It's efficient—but also impersonal. Candidates are ghosted, culture gets reduced to keywords, and the job search feels like a numbers game or playing the lottery where the odds are stacked against you. And even if you make the first round, it feels more like a transaction than a conversation. In this episode, we'll explore how AI is transforming recruitment—the opportunities it creates, the challenges it leaves behind and what it means for the future of work. To talk about this, we're delighted to welcome Leandro Cartelli, founder of a staffing and recruiting agency specializing in connecting U.S. businesses with top Latin American talent. Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/49rsSeK Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/4huOKbd

Sep 29, 2025 • 32min
Skills Shift—Thriving With AI, Part 2
Join Kate Bravery, a senior partner at Mercer and expert on workforce skills, as she unpacks the future of work. She discusses the concept of a 'digital twin' to model career paths and why traditional job descriptions may soon be obsolete. Kate highlights AI tools that redesign roles to boost productivity while reducing burnout. She also talks about talent marketplaces that democratize job opportunities. Plus, learn how employees can update their profiles, develop 'sunrise skills,' and foster trust with managers in an AI-driven world.

Aug 29, 2025 • 37min
Skills Shift—Thriving With AI
Join Kate Bravery, a senior partner at Mercer and expert in talent management, as she dives into how AI is redefining the workplace. She discusses the crucial skills emerging in this tech-driven era, like AI literacy and adaptability, and highlights the importance of continuous learning. Kate also explores how AI can personalize performance management and the skills needed to thrive in interviews. With a focus on collaboration and diverse mindsets, she provides insights on navigating the evolving job landscape successfully.

Jul 28, 2025 • 53min
Please Meet "Future You"
If you're looking to reinvent your career, reboot your confidence or rethink what's possible, we're going to give you some time, space and strategies to imagine your next move. The past is not a fortune teller. It doesn't dictate your future. The past is, however, an excellent teacher that offers useful lessons, but not limits. So how do we tackle finding our future career path with a minimum of stress and self-doubt? To talk about this, we're delighted to welcome Andrea Liebross, a results-focused business coach and life-balance architect. Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/4mcLbHN Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/4mcLbHN

Jun 25, 2025 • 33min
Innovating in an AI World
Tara Chklovski, founder and CEO of Technovation, is passionate about empowering young people, especially girls, through tech education. She discusses the transformative impact of AI on productivity while emphasizing the necessity of emotional and cognitive resilience. Tara advocates for hands-on experiences and innovative thinking to future-proof careers. She encourages universities to adapt to AI advancements and stresses the importance of addressing equity in tech. Ultimately, she envisions a world where mentoring youth can tackle global challenges with AI.

May 27, 2025 • 43min
Adapting Skills to Project-Based Work
This month, we're exploring one of the biggest shifts in the modern workplace: the move toward project-based work. Companies are organizing their efforts around short-term, goal-driven initiatives rather than long-term roles. This evolution means that project management is no longer just a specialized function—it's becoming a core skill for everyone. Knowing how to lead a team, manage deadlines and deliver results is essential in today's fast-moving and cross-functional environment. But equally important is skills agility—the ability to adapt quickly, learn continuously and apply your talents across different teams and challenges. In a project-based world, the most valuable professionals are the ones who can shift gears and thrive in any setting. To talk about this important topic, we're delighted to welcome instructor Nate Crews. Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/4jjrQmw Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/43PdzcI

Apr 24, 2025 • 53min
AI's Impact on Equity
We continue our conversation about the state of DEI and the heavy influence that AI will have on this important directive. This month, we explore the impact of AI on DEI initiatives—how it can either amplify biases or serve as a tool for equity. We look at how DEI programs play a key role in developing AI that does not cause unintended and disproportionate harms. And we will also get a sneak peek at how AI might be changing our behaviors without us knowing. So if you're concerned about the intersection of technology and equity—and what it means for the workplaces of tomorrow—you're in the right place. To talk about this important topic, we're delighted to welcome back Bo Young Lee. Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/3GE94II Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/3YMx82i

Mar 26, 2025 • 55min
DEI Is Not DOA, Part 1
We're diving into a topic that's more urgent than ever: the current state of diversity, equity and inclusion in organizations, and the profound impact artificial intelligence is having on these initiatives. As economic pressures mount, budgets tighten and politics change, a concerning trend is emerging: Organizations are scaling back their DEI initiatives. These pullbacks are raising alarms about what the future of work will look like—especially for underrepresented groups. And when you add in the impact of companies adopting artificial intelligence to streamline operations and make decisions, the risk of algorithmic bias becomes even more pronounced. Without strong DEI frameworks, AI systems and those who are coding them can unintentionally perpetuate inequalities—widening opportunity gaps rather than closing them. To talk about this important topic, we're delighted to welcome Bo Young Lee.Read the transcript from this interview @https://bit.ly/428vdpP. Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/3XtuHkP.

Feb 28, 2025 • 47min
The Great Flattening
In this episode, we're diving into a critical transformation happening across industries—the decline of middle management. As companies flatten their structures in pursuit of efficiency, what happens to organizational communication and workplace culture? Are we losing vital connectors who bridge leadership and employees, or is this the evolution of a more agile and collaborative workforce? To talk about this important topic, we're delighted to welcome Ron Coverson, an executive-level human resources professional and business consultant, and is currently the Assistant Dean of Academic Personnel and Human Resources for the University of California, Berkeley Law School. Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/4hXbD6N Read this episode's transcript @https://bit.ly/3FqqyIc


