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Welcome to Work Week, where we dig into the latest and greatest questions about the world of work — backed by equal parts hard data and fresh perspective. Tune in each week(ish) to find out what the latest emerging research tells us about how to make work, work better.
Hosted by Kelly Monahan, Gabby Burlacu and Ted Liu from the Upwork Research Institute (and their AI proxies.)
Hosted by Kelly Monahan, Gabby Burlacu and Ted Liu from the Upwork Research Institute (and their AI proxies.)
33 Episodes
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The promise of AI is speed and efficiency — but what happens when outputs create more problems than they solve? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu, Senior Manager at The Upwork Research Institute, unpacks the concept of “AI slop” — low-effort, AI-generated content that looks fine on the surface but erodes trust, credibility, and productivity. Drawing on research from the Stanford Social Media Lab, BetterUp Labs, MIT, Apiiro, and The Upwork Research Institute, we explore the hidden costs of injudicious AI use, why many organizations are failing to see ROI from their investments, and how leaders can avoid the productivity paradox. You’ll also learn practical steps to prevent AI slop in your organization — from setting clearer review standards to investing in AI literacy — and see why freelancers are playing an increasingly vital role in keeping AI-enabled work both accurate and trustworthy.
How are early-career workers with AI skills setting themselves apart in today’s competitive job market? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu explores how AI natives are commanding premium pay, landing promotions faster, and reshaping what employers value. Based on data from Upwork’s Future Workforce Index and external industry research, the episode highlights why companies are struggling to hire AI talent, how freelancers are pulling ahead of full-time employees in AI fluency, and what business leaders and workers alike can do to thrive in this new landscape. Whether you’re building teams or building your career, this episode shows how to make AI your competitive advantage.
Shadow AI is on the rise as employees adopt unapproved AI tools to work faster and smarter. In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Kelly Monahan, Managing Director at The Upwork Research Institute, explores what’s fueling this behavior; the financial, security, and ethical risks that shadow AI poses; and why outright bans are ineffective. Learn how forward-thinking companies can reduce exposure, without stifling innovation, through clear governance, trusted tools, and strong AI literacy. Plus, find out what freelancers are doing differently — and how enterprises can learn from them.
Is the pressure to learn and use AI tools quietly unraveling your team? In this episode of Work Week, host Dr. Gabby Burlacu explores how the rapid pace of AI adoption is fueling workplace anxiety and burnout. The episode covers a growing trend sometimes called “quiet cracking” — a persistent feeling of unhappiness in the workplace that often leads to disengagement. One factor driving quiet cracking is the expectation workers feel that they have to use AI tools. Many are faking AI fluency, afraid to admit what they don’t know. A lack of psychological safety only makes things worse — diminishing trust, learning, and long-term performance. Learn practical steps leaders can take to address AI anxiety and create a safe space for workers to experiment with and learn about AI tools.
Will vibe coding replace software engineers — or redefine their role? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Kelly Monahan, Managing Director at The Upwork Research Institute, unpacks how AI is changing the software development process. Learn why developers who collaborate with AI are in high demand, and how engineering roles are shifting from execution to orchestration. Whether you’re a leader building a tech team or a developer navigating change, this episode offers clear insights and practical steps to help you thrive in the age of AI-powered coding.
How can managers use AI to improve mentorship programs — without becoming overreliant on AI tools? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu explores how AI can help free up time and enable managers to focus on becoming better mentors. Leaders often struggle with administrative overload, burnout, and eroding connections with their teams, and in this episode we’ll discuss how AI can streamline routine tasks and help managers strengthen human relationships. Featuring insights from Dr. Jenna Butler, Principal Applied Research Scientist at Microsoft, the episode highlights the difference between AI as a support system and AI as a substitute. Also learn about the risk of overreliance on simulated empathy from AI tools and a practical three-step framework for mentoring with AI as your co-pilot.
What differentiates top-performing companies from their peers when it comes to how they think about and implement AI? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Kelly Monahan explores how high-performing organizations are more confident, strategic, and optimistic in their approach to AI. Drawing from an analysis of hundreds of company earnings call transcripts, this episode breaks down how leaders talk about AI in earnings calls, what their sentiment reveals, and what companies with a more cautious mindset can learn to stay competitive. If you want to shift your AI mindset from hesitant to high-performing, this episode is for you.
Organizations are rethinking how executive roles affect business agility — and fractional C-suite positions are on the rise. In this episode of Work Week, host Dr. Gabby Burlacu explores what’s driving the shift toward part-time and contract-based executives. We unpack new data and discuss use cases for fractional leadership, as well as the changing expectations of today’s workforce. Hear firsthand examples of how fractional executives are redefining success — and what it all means for leaders, businesses, and the future of work. Tune in for key insights and action steps to rethink how your organization scales leadership.
Is your organization focused on automating the right tasks with AI — or just the ones that seem to drive the most productivity? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Kelly Monahan, Managing Director at The Upwork Research Institute, discusses research from Stanford University that reveals a critical disconnect between AI investments and the tasks employees actually want automated. We explore Stanford’s four-zone framework for AI task alignment. Learn which tasks are best suited for AI delegation, how shifting skill demands are reshaping the workplace, and three practical steps to align AI investment with worker preferences.
Why is demand for non-technical roles growing — even in an AI-powered world of work? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu from The Upwork Research Institute explores how trust is shaping demand for roles once considered at risk of automation. Drawing on the latest Upwork data, we discuss how freelancers and knowledge workers are leveraging AI as an augmentation tool that makes them irreplaceable — and why clients are more than twice as likely to trust work done by humans using AI than AI alone. From legal consulting and financial strategy to design and project management, we’ll discuss how trusted professionals are applying their human judgment to their tech fluency. Whether you're a business leader or a freelancer, this episode offers strategic insights and practical steps for thriving in the trust-centered, AI-augmented workplace.
Are you taking AI generalist skills into consideration as you hire new workers and develop your existing team? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Kelly Monahan of The Upwork Research Institute discusses the rise of the AI generalist: a new kind of worker who blends AI literacy with critical human strengths like creativity, strategy, and communication. Drawing on recent Upwork platform data, this episode explores how AI is transforming roles across job categories. Rather than replacing workers, AI is reshaping work — and this shift is creating a talent premium for those who adapt. Learn how businesses can hire or develop AI generalists, and get tips for building these future-ready skills yourself. Whether you’re leading a team or growing your career, learn how to stay relevant and competitive in an AI-powered world.
Is AI closing the door on entry-level job seekers—or reshaping the path into the workforce? During this episode of Work Week, Dr. Kelly Monahan explores how recent college grads can compete in a hiring landscape increasingly shaped by automation, rising expectations, and evolving roles. With unemployment among recent college grads higher than the national average, job seekers are questioning the value of their college degrees and wondering how to stand out in an AI-driven job market. In this episode, learn relevant data about the entry-level job market, as well as tips to stand out as a job seeker. If you’re a manager or business leader, also learn how you can rethink entry-level roles and your hiring process to future-proof your organization.
As climate events increase in frequency and intensity, they become more than environmental concerns—they become workforce issues. In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu of The Upwork Research Institute explores how weather-related disruptions are costing U.S. businesses billions in lost productivity each year, along with what leaders can do to build climate resilience. Learn how mental health and remote work infrastructure factor into your strategy, and what steps you can take today to future-proof your workforce while supporting employees. Whether you're an executive, HR leader, team manager, or front-line worker, this episode will help you navigate the rising climate risks impacting the future of work.
What happens when AI takes the tedious, routine work off our plates? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Kelly Monahan explores how AI is enabling worker potential—not by replacing jobs, but by removing repetitive tasks and enabling more strategic and creative work. Based on exclusive research from The Upwork Research Institute’s Future Workforce Index and real-life freelancer success stories, learn how leaders and teams can partner with AI to drive growth, efficiency, and innovation. Whether you’re a business leader or independent professional, this episode will help understand how AI helps maximize human brilliance.
How can organizations rethink middle manager roles in an AI-driven workplace? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu of The Upwork Research Institute examines the changing role of middle managers in an AI-powered workplace. We highlight findings from The Upwork Research Institute’s latest report, From Tools to Teammates: Navigating the Human-AI Relationship, as well as relevant industry research from Gallup, Gartner, and Capgemini. We uncover why middle managers feel disengaged—and why their role is more important than ever as organizations integrate AI. Learn how freelancers are modeling sustainable AI use, why reimagining—not eliminating—middle management is critical, and how to support middle managers amid the AI transformation.
Is AI eroding human connection? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu of The Upwork Research Institute explores a surprising paradox in the modern workplace: AI is driving huge gains in workplace efficiency—but those who report the biggest productivity boosts are also most at risk of burnout and disconnection, even leading to resignation. Drawing from The Upwork Research Institute’s latest research report, From Tools to Teammates: Navigating the Human-AI Relationship, we discuss how to strike the right balance between driving productivity and maintaining close, professional relationships in an AI-driven workplace. Plus, learn steps you can take to restore human connection in your workflows. Listen to the episode to discover how to build both high-performing and deeply connected teams.
What’s the difference between AI agents and agentic AI—and how do those differences affect you? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Kelly Monahan, Managing Director of The Upwork Research Institute, breaks down how these two types of AI are shaping the future of work. While AI agents execute tasks, agentic AI systems pursue goals, adapt over time, and make complex decisions—often with minimal or no human intervention. We’ll explore research from Anthropic, insights from Upwork data, and how teams can effectively integrate and manage emerging AI technology. Whether you're a business leader building AI-powered workflows or a worker navigating a developing digital landscape, this episode will equip you with the clarity to act—and the questions to ask.
Is remote work a sustainable option for organizations and employees? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Kelly Monahan, Managing Director of The Upwork Research Institute, discusses what recent research reveals about the effectiveness of remote and hybrid work environments. You’ll learn why visibility, alignment, and intentional communication—not physical location—are the keys to success. Kelly shares a real-world practice she uses with her team called “Mindset Mondays,” a quick yet powerful ritual that creates clarity, connection, and momentum at the start of each week. Whether your organization is remote, hybrid, or fully in-office, this episode offers practical insights to help you drive alignment and clarity across your team.
AI is transforming hiring tasks including writing job descriptions, scheduling interviews, and evaluating candidates. But where is the line separating productivity gains from the loss of human insight and connection? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu explores candidate and employer perspectives and shares relevant data behind the role of AI in recruiting. The episode also covers how to strike the right balance between automation and human connection in the hiring process. Listen to learn how the mindful use of AI can support an improved hiring experience for both candidates and organizations without losing the human touch.
AI agents are autonomous software programs that can perceive their environment and make decisions, and they are reshaping the work landscape. In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Kelly Monahan explores a bold new vision of work, where AI agents operate alongside humans—and every employee becomes an “agent boss.” Drawing on insights from Microsoft and Upwork’s Future Workforce Index, we break down what it means to lead in the age of AI, why uniquely human skills are more valuable than ever, and how organizations can rethink structure, culture, and strategy to stay competitive. Whether you're a business decision maker or an independent professional, this episode will equip you to navigate—and shape—the AI-powered workplace of tomorrow.
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