AI is forcing a question many leaders would rather avoid: are we improving work — or quietly deleting it?In this episode of the HRchat Podcast, Bill Banham is joined by Kevin Oakes, CEO and co-founder of the Institute for Corporate Productivity and author of Culture Renovation, to cut through the hype and explore what’s actually changing inside organisations right now.Together, they compare the current AI moment to the early internet era — but with one critical difference: speed. Kevin explains why many organisations start with efficiency and ROI conversations before addressing workforce design, and why that sequence is starting to break down as AI reshapes roles, entry-level pathways, and management structures.The conversation also explores emerging use cases such as digital twins, the growing importance of skills readiness, and why HR is increasingly stepping into a central role in shaping AI strategy. With examples from companies like ServiceNow and IBM, Kevin outlines how leading organisations are approaching workforce redesign, internal mobility, and culture in a more intentional, data-driven way.What You’ll Learn: Why AI adoption is moving faster than the early internet — and catching companies off guard  How AI is reshaping jobs, entry-level roles, and organisational structures  Why organisations default to efficiency conversations before workforce design  The emerging role of digital twins in HR, coaching, and decision-making  Why HR is becoming the architect of the future of work  How leading companies approach skills readiness and workforce planning  The importance of mapping human vs AI tasks across roles  Why internal talent mobility is critical for reskilling at scale  How culture health and change readiness are becoming board-level priorities Key Takeaway: AI isn’t just a technology shift — it’s a work design challenge. Organisations that rethink skills, structure, and culture together will be best positioned to adapt.About the Guest: Kevin Oakes is the CEO and co-founder of the Institute for Corporate Productivity, a research organisation focused on the practices of high-performance companies. He is also the author of Culture Renovation, a widely cited book on building and sustaining high-performance workplace cultures.Call to Action: Subscribe to HRchat, share this episode with an Support the showFeature Your Brand on the HRchat PodcastThe HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score. Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here.Follow us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletterCheck out our in-person events