The Future of Work: Managing AI Agents as Employees by 2025

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2025-01-17

The corporate world is on the brink of a transformative shift. By 2025, artificial intelligence (AI) will no longer be just a tool but a full-fledged “employee” capable of taking over complex tasks and processes. According to Marco Argenti, Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Goldman Sachs, the maturation of AI code will enable companies to manage AI agents as part of hybrid human-machine teams. This evolution will redefine how businesses operate, forcing corporate HR departments to adapt to managing both human and machine resources.

The Rise of AI Employees

Argenti’s year-outlook blog post highlights that AI models will soon be capable of planning and executing long-running tasks independently. These AI “workers” will be trained and integrated into corporate workflows, creating hybrid teams where humans and machines collaborate seamlessly. This shift will require HR departments to develop new strategies for onboarding, training, and even “laying off” AI agents as more advanced versions emerge.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang echoed this sentiment during his CES keynote, describing AI agents as a “digital workforce” that will work alongside human employees. Huang emphasized that IT departments will evolve into AI HR departments, responsible for managing these digital workers.

Expert AI Systems: The PhDs of the Corporate World
Argenti predicts that the most advanced AI models will resemble PhD graduates, equipped with industry-specific knowledge in fields like finance and medicine. These expert systems will be developed through retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), which connects AI models to external databases and APIs, and fine-tuning, where models are trained further with domain-specific data.

The intersection of large language models (LLMs) and robotics will also play a crucial role. AI will increasingly interact with the physical world through simulated environments, enhancing its reasoning capabilities. This development will enable AI to perform tasks that require both cognitive and physical skills.

The Cost of Cutting-Edge AI

However, the most advanced AI models will come at a steep cost. Argenti foresees that only a handful of institutions with massive budgets will be able to afford the training and development of these “frontier” models, such as those created by OpenAI. Smaller organizations will focus on developing less resource-intensive models, creating a divide between the “Formula One” of AI and the rest of the market.

Responsible AI: A Boardroom Priority

As AI becomes more integrated into corporate operations, the importance of responsible AI practices will grow. Argenti emphasizes that ethical considerations and governance will be a top priority for boardrooms in 2025. Companies will need to ensure that their AI systems are transparent, fair, and aligned with organizational values.

What Undercode Say:

The integration of AI agents into the workforce is not just a technological advancement but a cultural and organizational shift. Argenti’s predictions highlight several critical trends that will shape the future of work:

1. Hybrid Teams: The New Norm

The concept of hybrid teams, where humans and AI collaborate, is no longer science fiction. This shift will require a rethinking of traditional HR practices. Companies will need to develop frameworks for evaluating AI performance, addressing ethical concerns, and ensuring seamless collaboration between human and machine workers.

2. The Evolution of IT Departments

As Jensen Huang pointed out, IT departments will take on a new role as the HR departments for AI agents. This transition will require IT professionals to acquire new skills in AI management, ethics, and governance. The line between technology and human resources will blur, creating a new breed of hybrid professionals.

3. The Expertise Gap

The emergence of expert AI systems with PhD-level knowledge will create both opportunities and challenges. While these systems can revolutionize industries like healthcare and finance, they will also exacerbate the expertise gap. Companies that can afford to develop or license these advanced models will gain a significant competitive edge, leaving smaller players at a disadvantage.

4. Ethical and Responsible AI

As AI becomes more autonomous, the need for responsible AI practices will intensify. Companies must prioritize transparency, fairness, and accountability to build trust with stakeholders. This includes addressing biases in AI models, ensuring data privacy, and establishing clear guidelines for AI decision-making.

5. The Cost Barrier

The high cost of developing and maintaining cutting-edge AI models will create a divide between large corporations and smaller organizations. While the “Formula One” of AI will be dominated by a few powerful players, smaller companies will need to innovate with limited resources. This disparity could lead to a two-tiered AI ecosystem, where only the wealthiest institutions can afford the most advanced technologies.

6. AI in the Physical World

The integration of AI with robotics and simulated environments will open new possibilities for automation. From manufacturing to healthcare, AI will increasingly interact with the physical world, performing tasks that require both cognitive and physical skills. This development will drive efficiency but also raise questions about job displacement and the future of human labor.

Conclusion

The future of work is being reshaped by the rise of AI agents as corporate employees. While this transformation offers immense potential, it also presents significant challenges. Companies must navigate the complexities of managing hybrid teams, ensuring ethical AI practices, and addressing the cost barriers to advanced AI development. As we approach 2025, the ability to adapt to this new reality will determine which organizations thrive in the age of AI.

References:

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