Welcome to Work, evolved.
Context for my Substack and why I am writing on Humans + AI.
Hi team. Thank you for being here.
Let me introduce myself. I’m Robyn, and for years, I have been obsessed with work.
I've spent over two decades helping organisations and individuals navigate major transformations across continents, cultures, and industries. Through all of that change, from restructuring functions with thousands of team members to reshaping and implementing an entire organisation’s digital agenda, I've learned one crucial truth: technology is only as good as the humans using it.
We're currently facing the biggest shift yet in the way we work. The rise of Generative AI and autonomous Agents isn't just another tech upgrade. It's the catalyst to structurally redefine HOW work gets done.
I believe the AI era isn’t just about technology; it’s about how humans and machines collaborate to unlock new possibilities.
In the world of AI and all that goes along with it, the pace of change is faster than we ever expected, and it’s accelerating.
There is SO MUCH hype about AI and Agents right now.
And yet, few people are talking about sustainable AI adoption. Few people are willing to talk about the future of work openly. Few people understand that to implement AI into organisations and into people’s day to day, we must look at the whole system.
AI can’t be bolted onto outdated processes and org charts. We have to start from the ground up, with the people who are doing the jobs today.
In a world of extreme opinions and never-ending quippy updates on LinkedIn about the latest AI drop, I am tired. My already attention-deprived brain can’t handle the barrage of information and fear-mongering that exists about all things AI.
This is why I am launching Work, evolved.
With my unique experience, education and passion for humans and technology, I have a unique perspective to offer. One that is both nuanced and considered, and encourages us all to reflect deeply about how AI and Agents will impact knowledge work*.
A technology this powerful deserves thoughtful consideration. We need to think long and hard about how and when we use AI and Agents. About how we teach AI to work with us, not against us. About how to mitigate the potential negative risks and impacts when we deploy AI across our lives.
Being intentional and considerate about AI will require more than drive-by hot-takes of a few hundred words on LinkedIn.
Which is exactly why I’m writing Work, evolved. I want a place for my own deeper reflections on work and AI and I want to contribute to the conversation.
I also hope to create the space for thoughtful dialogue among a community of people who care about the future of work, and who believe in the potential positive impact that AI and Agents can bring. That is of course, if we are intentional about how we adopt this technology.
As a Tech Optimist, it’s important for you to understand where I am coming from and what I believe (today - I am sure this will change as time passes):
AI is a normal technology that will change the world in ways we can and cannot predict.
AI and Agents will fundamentally change not just WHAT work we do but HOW we do it, with and without AI.
Humans will not be replaced by AI: they will be replaced by humans who use AI [it’s cliche but true].
So we need to be indexing on unique human skills: creativity, innovation, critical thinking, discernment, emotional intelligence.
And, the future of work is not yet written… but it’s likely to be augmented.
BUT, diffusion takes time, but we need to start not if we are going to implement AI in a considered, well thought-out way.
An open mind, experimentation and putting humans at the centre of AI and Agentic adoption is the only way to cut through the hype and create value from this technology.
We can get this right.
So consider Work, evolved my own personal living notebook. Some posts will be frameworks you can steal, and others will be honest reflections on what’s breaking (and fixing) behind the scenes. I will likely be writing about my own use of AI along the way as well.
All of it will be written with one goal: to help us harness AI without losing the very human spark that makes work worth doing.
If that sounds like a conversation you want to be part of, hit subscribe and bring your curiosity (and skepticism) with you.
The future of work isn't something that happens to us. It's something we create: deliberately and intentionally, together.
*My definition of knowledge work - basically if you work at an office and use a laptop and your expertise and know-how to create most things you get paid for, it’s likely you’re in some form of ‘knowledge work’.