The 9–5 workday is disappearing. Faster than most people think.

In this episode of Founder Talk, I sit down with Brian Horwath and Arben Koliqi, founders of Blackrock Innovations, to talk about the future of work — and why traditional jobs are on the decline as AI and the gig economy take over.

We dig into how technology, COVID, and remote work have completely rewritten what “a job” even means. From freelancers replacing full-time roles to AI reshaping how we measure productivity, this conversation explores how the global workforce is shifting from hours worked to value delivered.

Brian and Arben also share why they believe 2034 will mark the official death of the 9–5, what skills will actually matter in the new economy, and how founders can prepare their businesses for a world where agility, creativity, and results matter more than time spent behind a desk.

You’ll learn:

✅ Why the 9–5 model is already breaking down

✅ How AI and automation will reshape jobs faster than anyone expects

✅ The difference between outsourcing, offshoring, and freelancing and why it matters

✅ How to stay relevant in a world that pays for outcomes, not effort

✅ Why the future belongs to creators, problem solvers, and specialists

If you’ve been wondering “is the 9–5 really over?” or “how do I stay relevant in the AI era?” — this episode is your roadmap to what’s coming next.

Connect with Brian Horwath and Arben Koliqi

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-horwath-a5a3b11/

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arbenkoliqi/

Guest Website: https://www.blackrockinnovations.com/

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Timecodes

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:09 Overview of BlackRock Innovations

01:12 The Gig Economy: Current Trends and Future Projections

03:48 Impact of COVID-19 on Remote Work

08:31 The Future of the 9-to-5 Job

20:35 Outsourcing vs. Offshoring: Key Differences

26:43 Challenges in Video Editing and Outsourcing

31:02 Curating Clips for Different Platforms

31:38 Starting with Internal Networks for Talent

32:04 Challenges of Freelancing and Building Confidence

32:47 Lever's Approach to Tracking Proficiencies

33:20 Flaws in the Resume Process

34:41 Understanding and Capturing Proficiencies

36:24 Lever's Role in the Gig Economy

39:03 Blockchain and Financial Disruption

39:36 Lever's Global Resource Management

41:01 Challenges in Project and Resource Management

42:55 Development and Future of Lever

47:30 Founders' Journey and Software Development

56:52 Conclusion and Contact Information