Job titles don't matter in 2026 (here's what does)

The ever-increasing capabilities of AI have everyone wondering what it means for their career. LinkedIn’s Chief Economic Opportunity Officer Aneesh Raman joins Molly Wood to explore why curiosity, adaptability, and action now matter more than certainty. Drawing from his new book, Open to Work: How to Get Ahead in the Age of AI (https://www.linkedin.com/opentowork)— cowritten with LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky — Raman makes the case that careers aren’t being automated away. They’re being reshaped for the AI era, by the people willing to move first. Chapters 00:00 — Introduction to LinkedIn's Aneesh Raman and the AI moment 01:09 — Why people feel urgency but don’t know what to do 02:42 — Human capability vs. machine efficiency 05:46 — The idea that nothing in AI is predetermined 07:26 — “Onlyness” and rethinking work beyond job titles 10:24 — Why leaders struggle with AI transformation 14:20 — Why companies must redesign work, not just adopt AI 16:07 — The human skills that will define success 18:48 — The 5 "C's" and what's most important 22:15 — Rethinking metrics, growth, and work output 28:15 — Challenges and not leaving anyone behind 32:07 — Practical steps to get started and build momentum Find this episode on: - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worklab/id1582908812 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2vApnLW5XfXoP8WDYGzFkT - WorkLab Podcast: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/podcast/ About the WorkLab Podcast: Join host Molly Wood as she explores what leaders need to know to prepare their organizations for the innovations and disruptions that are transforming the way we work. Listen to her conversations with leading economists, technologists, and researchers on everything from how to use AI effectively to what it takes to thrive in a digital age. Sign up for the WorkLab newsletter to get the latest AI research, insights, and trends delivered straight to your inbox: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/newsletter For more insights on the future of work, visit: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/