Work Week

AI is transforming hiring tasks including writing job descriptions, scheduling interviews, and evaluating candidates. But where is the line separating productivity gains from the loss of human insight and connection? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu explores candidate and employer perspectives and shares relevant data behind the role of AI in recruiting. The episode also covers how to strike the right balance between...

AI agents are autonomous software programs that can perceive their environment and make decisions, and they are reshaping the work landscape. In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Kelly Monahan explores a bold new vision of work, where AI agents operate alongside humans—and every employee becomes an “agent boss.” Drawing on insights from Microsoft and Upwork’s Future Workforce Index, we break down what it means to lead in the age of AI...

Is a four-year college degree still the best predictor of workplace success? In this episode of Work Week, host Dr. Gabby Burlacu explores why companies are rethinking traditional hiring practices in favor of a skills-first approach. Featuring new data from the Upwork Research Institute and industry research from the World Economic Forum, we discuss why executives are removing degree requirements, as well as steps your organization...

In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Kelly Monahan explores the rise of mini-retirements—intentional pauses early- and mid-career—and what this trend signals about growing burnout in the workforce. Drawing on data from The Upwork Research Institute and external research, we examine how Gen Z and millennial workers in particular are redesigning their careers with intentional pauses, flexibility, and freelancing. Learn how organizations...

The U.S. Census Bureau projects that by 2030, one in five Americans will be of retirement age. Organizations are facing an urgent challenge: how to navigate massive talent shifts and skills gaps brought on by the wave of retirements, which experts are already calling the “Silver Tsunami.” In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Kelly Monahan, Managing Director of the Upwork Research Institute, explores the business impact of this retirem...

As AI continues to automate simple, more tedious tasks, human skills are becoming foundational to success. In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu, Senior Manager of The Upwork Research Institute, explores why soft, human-centric skills like communication and adaptability are a competitive advantage in today’s disruptive workplace. Leveraging research from the Research Institute’s recently released Future Workforce Index, w...

Amid the ongoing impact of AI and other disruptors on the workplace, one thing is clear: workers need more than new skills—they also need guidance. In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Kelly Monahan, Managing Director of The Upwork Research Institute, explores why coaching, development, and human-centered learning are more important than ever in an AI-driven world. Drawing on data from Upwork’s 2025 In-Demand Skills Report, we dive in...

In a continuation of our review of The Upwork Research Institute’s new Future Workforce Index, Dr. Gabby Burlacu  reveals how and why independent skilled professionals are redefining the modern workplace. We explore four distinct models of independent work—and why they’re growing. The episode also compares aspects of freelance to full-time employment, revealing surprising advantages in earnings, satisfaction, and future-readiness. ...

Skilled work is evolving and careers are becoming more independent and less traditional. In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu, Senior Manager at The Upwork Research Institute, looks at recent findings from the Research Institute’s newly released Future Workforce Index. We explore how freelancing, AI adoption, and career autonomy are reshaping what it means to be a skilled worker. We’ll discuss why skilled freelancers are...

Is freelancing your solution to meeting the challenges of the modern job market? Data shows a job market paradox: despite strong employment numbers, job seekers are struggling. In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Kelly Monahan, Managing Director at The Upwork Research Institute, takes a close look at the numbers, breaking down the data to uncover key challenges. We explore why freelancing is becoming a viable and often preferable alt...

How can leaders build teams that don’t just survive uncertainty, but thrive in it? Data shows that robustness and resilience aren’t enough; leaders need to inoculate their teams from disruption by creating antifragile processes. In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Kelly Monahan, Managing Director of The Upwork Research Institute, unpacks the concept of antifragility—a mindset that turns disruption into a catalyst for growth. We explo...

How are AI and automation reshaping the workplace? Data shows that, for companies with a strategic approach, AI can improve key metrics like workforce engagement and satisfaction. In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu, Senior Manager at The Upwork Research Institute, explores how AI is transforming work by augmenting workflows, creating new job categories, and increasing demand for specialized talent. We also discuss ways...

How can businesses navigate economic turbulence to emerge stronger? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Kelly Monahan, Managing Director of The Upwork Research Institute, unpacks findings from Upwork’s Work Innovator Research to explore how agility, flexible talent strategies, and a people-first culture can help organizations thrive in uncertain times. We’ll discuss why forward-thinking companies rely on on-demand experts, upskilling...

Learn how Gen Z is reshaping the labor market by redefining what a career looks like. The latest data shows Gen Z is prioritizing flexibility, autonomy, and skill diversification over traditional career paths. In this episode of Work Week, host Dr. Gabby Burlacu, Senior Manager at The Upwork Research Institute, explores the benefits and risks of portfolio careers for the workforce, and steps companies can take to engage this new ge...

Discover how AI is transforming the modern workplace in Episode 1 of Work Week. New research shows that AI isn’t just about automating tasks – it’s about augmenting human creativity and productivity. In this episode, Dr. Kelly Monahan, Managing Director of the Upwork Research Institute, explains how data from Anthropic and Upwork is redefining AI’s role from a cost-cutting tool to a strategic partner in innovation. Get practical ti...