Ethan Mollick: AI Urgency, Leadership Responsibility, and Why Companies Must Act Now

In this interview, Nicolai Tangen speaks with Ethan Mollick, a professor at Wharton and author of "Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI," about the transformative potential of AI in the workplace. Mollick advises companies to increase awareness of AI capabilities, involve leadership, and experiment with AI applications. He addresses the issue of employees secretly using AI due to fear of job loss or appearing less competent, suggesting incentives and role modeling to encourage transparency. They explore methods for measuring AI usage, including monitoring internal app usage and integrating AI into existing processes like annual reviews. Mollick shares examples of companies offering bonuses for AI automation and integrating AI into hiring processes. The conversation shifts to AI agents, with Mollick demonstrating how they can autonomously perform tasks like creating marketing plans and launching websites. They also discuss the impact of AI on skill levels, the potential for AI to complement or replace human work, and the importance of addressing legal and compliance concerns. Mollick emphasizes the need for executives to deeply engage with AI and make informed decisions about its role in their organizations, noting that the speed of AI adoption and capability gains is accelerating.