Automation Without Abandonment: Designing AI That Builds Careers, Not Breaks Them
The Future of Work & AI in Society
TalkSession Code
Sess-165Day 2
15:05 - 15:35 EST
About the Session
Automation is coming for millions of jobs. But the real threat isn’t just replacement — it’s exclusion. AI-powered recruitment systems and career guidance tools promise efficiency, but too often they quietly decide who even gets a chance to compete for the jobs of tomorrow. I saw this firsthand while developing LUMena AI, a career copilot for healthcare workers whose roles were at risk of automation. During testing, I reviewed competitor platforms that “helped” users find new career paths. The recommendations were polished, data-driven — and biased. Women were often nudged toward lower-paying care roles, minority candidates toward less technical fields. The algorithms weren’t malicious; they were simply reflecting and amplifying historical bias. But the result was digital redlining: invisible, scaled, and self-reinforcing. In this session, I’ll share how we turned AI from a gatekeeper into a bridge — using bias-aware algorithms to: Surface hidden transferable skills that workers didn’t know could open new career paths Map equitable job transition pathways across industries Personalize upskilling recommendations to unlock opportunities, not reinforce ceilings We’ll dive into practical methods for auditing workforce AI, designing for inclusion, and creating AI tools that help humans rise. I’ll show how these principles have been applied not only in healthcare, but in finance, education, and manufacturing, proving they’re industry-agnostic. Why it matters now: In 2025, every major enterprise is exploring AI-driven HR tech. The ones that get equity right will win the talent war — not just in skill, but in trust. Those that don’t risk automating inequality at scale. By the end of this session, leaders and builders will have a blueprint for AI that’s both future-focused and human-centered. Soundbite: “AI can’t replace humans if it’s busy helping them rise.”