Navigating Employment and Automation, with Jason Averbook
View the top questions on automation and employment that attendees asked during the October 2025 EN:Insights Forum.
Jason Averbook, senior partner at Mercer and author of HR from Now to Next, has a portfolio of clients and extensive experience advising executives, HR, and technology solution providers. Averbook shared his insights on navigating employment in a world of automation during the October 2025 EN:Insights Forum.
"I think companies that don't embrace that concept of embodying an AI-first culture and an AI-first mindset risk very, very high chances of extinction," Averbook said. "I think 70% to 80% of companies that exist today won't exist in five years if they can't change."
Here are a few additional insights from the conversation.
In what ways are you seeing jobs being reduced or changed by automation in the workforce?
Among clients, Averbook has observed that “hands work,” also known as manual skilled labor, is being automated. There’s also been a dip in hiring people directly out of college and a change in the way knowledge work (critical thinking work) gets done.
What do HR leaders need to do to change the mindset of their workforce?
HR leaders need to think about curiosity, not just completion, Averbook noted. He encourages leaders to consider ongoing learning and to be open to ideas from all levels of their organization, not just ideas that come from leadership.
How will companies with a barrier to AI adoption be impacted compared to their counterparts?
According to Averbook, companies that don’t embrace artificial intelligence risk the chance of extinction, while the AI-first companies will become innovators.
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