At SPARK HR 2025, Matthew Duncan, who leads Microsoft’s thinking on the future of work, didn’t just talk about AI – he showed us a new reality for workplaces everywhere. Based on Microsoft‘s latest Work Trend Index Report, which surveyed 31,000 people in 31 countries, Duncan pointed out a huge truth: people are reaching their limits.
“We’re not running out of work. We’re running out of human energy to work on it,” Duncan said. The numbers prove it: 80% of leaders and employees feel they don’t have enough time to finish their jobs well, even though 53% of leaders want more productivity. With employees being interrupted an amazing 275 times a day (that’s roughly every two minutes!), our current way of working isn’t sustainable.
This is where generative AI comes in, not to replace people, but to help them. “This isn’t just about changing things a little,” Duncan explained. “It’s about doing something you’re currently doing better. This is reimagining a whole new way.”
Here are the three big findings HR leaders need to understand for a future where AI helps, and humans lead:
1. AI: Your “On-Demand” Brainpower
For a long time, all the smart thinking in a company came from its people. Now, generative AI brings “on-tap” or “on-demand” intelligence – a new kind of smart help that’s always available. This means HR needs to think differently about how it uses and measures this new “digital help.”
- Why it’s urgent: 82% of company leaders expect to use digital help within the next 12-18 months.
- The “Thriving” Factor: In companies that are really using AI well (“frontier firms”), 71% of employees say they’re thriving. In other companies, only 37% are thriving. This shows AI isn’t just about getting more done; it’s about making work better for people.
2. Your Org Chart Becomes a “Work Chart”: Humans and AI Team Up
As AI agents become digital teammates, the old way companies are set up (org charts based on human skills) is changing. We’re moving towards a “work chart” where teams form flexibly around specific tasks, mixing human skills with AI help.
- Smart Tasks for AI: Some jobs will be more “AI-led” (like product development, customer service, and marketing – areas with tasks that repeat often). Other jobs will remain “human-led.”
- The New Balance: Companies will need to figure out the right “human-AI ratio” for their teams. It’s about asking: When do humans and AI together do a better job than AI alone? When is a human touch essential? And when does society expect a human to be in charge?
- AI Adds, Doesn’t Replace: AI agents aren’t taking human jobs. They’re helping by being available 24/7, working super fast, providing endless ideas, and letting humans focus on unique contributions like managing important relationships and big-picture strategy.
3. Every Employee Becomes an “AI Boss”
This is a really big idea: When AI agents join the team, every employee will need to learn how to manage them, becoming an “AI boss.”
- Empowering Everyone: Imagine running your own small “AI startup” inside your company. Duncan shared how a data scientist at Microsoft used AI agents to quickly answer survey questions and even help write parts of a report, making their work faster and better.
- New Manager Role for All: This means managing isn’t just for people with “manager” in their title. It’s a skill everyone will need. Employees will guide, direct, and oversee AI agents, becoming leaders of smart digital helpers.
The Way We Think Must Change
Duncan’s most powerful message is clear: “This is a cultural change. This is a whole new way of working. This is not about technology.” Companies must let go of old ways of thinking and imagine work with a “blank canvas.” Those who really rethink how work is done, instead of just trying to make old tasks a little better, will find the next big opportunity.
For HR leaders, this is your call to action: to lead the way in creating a culture that’s ready to learn, adapt, and truly embrace how humans and AI can work together.
Did you miss SPARK HR this spring? Not to worry! Join us live in San Antonio at SPARK TALENT 2025 and get practical strategies focusing on workforce planning, talent acquisition, and AI-driven processes! Discover proven solutions from top HR thought leaders from PepsiCo, Walmart, Staples, The Coca-Cola Company, Marriott, and GE HealthCare, and get ready to adapt your talent strategy for the future.