Executives Discuss AI Impact on Entry-Level Hiring at Workplace Summit

Upwork CEO Hayden Brown and WeWork CEO John Santora spoke at Fortune's Workplace Innovation Summit on Tuesday about how artificial intelligence is affecting entry-level employment. Brown said companies are using AI as a reason to reduce staff during economic uncertainty.

She cited a National Bureau of Economic Research study showing that nearly 90 percent of C-suite executives reported no employment impact from AI since the release of ChatGPT in November 2022.

Santora said senior leaders have a responsibility to hire and train younger workers. He noted that AI cannot replace skills such as empathy, leadership, and mentoring. Santora described his own career path, which included 47 years at Cushman & Wakefield before joining WeWork in 2024. He said older workers can use longer lifespans to retrain and mentor new employees.

Brown said each generation is moving toward freelance and contingent work. She stated that freelancers gain flexibility and can adapt to AI tools more quickly than full-time employees. Santora said WeWork requires employees to work in the office three or four days per week but allows flexibility for personal needs.

Brown added that AI-related skills command a 40 percent wage premium in the freelance market.