Executive session · Work Rewire
Work Rewire: AI, work and new operations
An executive session on AI-enabled work redesign, copilots, agents, automation, the manager's new role and governance of autonomy.
A session from the 9th DEEP — Digital Executive Effectiveness Program on transforming tasks, roles and operations with AI.
Redesign before accelerating
The starting point is not using AI to do the same work faster. It is questioning existing work and eliminating activities that no longer create value.
Friction at work
Repetitive tasks, slow decisions and inefficient communication consume attention and delay execution.
Copilots and agents
Copilots assist
They write, summarise and structure information to support human work.
Agents execute
They perform tasks, workflows and follow-ups within defined objectives, rules and boundaries.
Think, organise and execute
AI can support idea and decision framing, make tasks and priorities more visible, and automate recurring routines, notifications and follow-ups.
The manager's new role
The manager becomes a work designer, an orchestrator of people and systems, and the accountable decision-maker for higher-impact choices.
Productivity, risk and governance
Greater autonomy may increase productivity, but it also raises risk. The practical rule is to reduce AI autonomy as the impact of a task or decision rises, review outcomes and periodically adjust the boundaries.
Central message
The advantage is not in using AI: it belongs to those who redesign work first.