New Shape of Work, Agents and Entry-Level, Rogue Resumes, Cost Savings or Avoidance, Travel Time, AI in the Workforce News + Bonus Meme
Your newsletter for a lighter and different spin on the CW world.
The Latest AI in the Workforce News:
Newsletter Exclusive Content:
The New Shape of Work: Employees, Non-Employees, AI Agents, and “Entry-Level” Jobs
This piece was based on my post from Monday, see below. But I had more to say and so using the newsletter to expand on this.
I’ve been paying attention to what’s happening at the intersection of AI and workforce strategy, and here’s the prediction I shared recently—and the why behind it.
Two big shifts are already reshaping the world of work:
1. Work isn’t just Employees vs. Non-Employees anymore.
There’s a third option emerging: AI Agents.
Whether it’s autonomous agents, task-bots, or workflow automation embedded into platforms, organizations are beginning to think of AI as part of their “workforce mix.”
Providers are packaging it.
Clients are piloting it.
Budgets are starting to account for it.
This doesn’t always mean replacing the whole job—think of it as augmenting workflows, automating repeatable tasks, and completing deliverables that used to require human labor. I’ve heard the word drudgery used numerous times lately. That’s what I’m talking about. But as AI becomes a service line alongside staffing and outsourcing, it raises important questions:
Who owns this in the organization?
How do we measure impact alongside human talent?
How do we integrate AI outputs into existing processes and governance?
The organizations that figure this out first will build more agile, flexible, and efficient talent ecosystems.
2. Entry-Level Work is Being Eaten—Mid-Level is the New Starting Point.
It’s not speculation anymore: AI is already replacing portions of entry-level roles.
Content moderation. Basic analysis. Research tasks. Routine coordination. The kind of work early-career professionals used to cut their teeth on is now being automated.
For recent grads, this creates a tougher reality:
Fewer traditional entry points.
Higher expectations out of the gate.
A need to demonstrate AI fluency as a baseline skill.
We’re slowly shifting to a world where “entry-level” starts at what we used to call mid-level. Junior talent will need to bring not just raw potential, but the ability to leverage AI tools to amplify their output from day one.
That’s going to ripple through hiring models, training investments, and how organizations think about “early career” pipelines. The hope is companies are actively doing the right thing with this to elevate appropriately.
What Does This Mean for CW Strategy?
New sourcing categories (AI labor, human labor, hybrid models).
Reconsideration of job design and workforce segmentation.
A future where talent programs aren’t just people-based—they’re outcome-based, with AI in the mix.
The workforce is getting more complex, not less.
The question isn’t whether AI will become part of the equation. We honestly have to consider whether your strategy is ready to treat it as talent, not just tech.
LinkedIn Content You May Have Missed:
Monday, July 14, 2025 - Agents and Entry-Level Work
What do you think? Read more comments and contribute here.
Tuesday, July 15, 2025 - Rogue Resumes
Funny on the outside, frustrating when it happens to you. Read more and join the conversation here.
Wednesday, July 16, 2025 - Article: Understanding Cost Savings vs. Cost Avoidance in Contingent Workforce
Please take a read through this article which talks about these measures, how they’re different, where they overlaps, and how to make them work.
Thursday, July 17, 2025 - Travel Time with Talent Works
I was fortunate to spend some time this week in person. Some of the best time as an independent is getting out to be with people in real life.
Exclusive Bonus Meme:
Thanks for subscribing! As a way of saying thanks for being here, I’ve got a bonus meme for you!
Staying topical this week and making it CW relevant. Be careful when being seen in public with a potential new provider that’s not yours…
That’s it for this week, check out more content all throughout next week!