Exceptional Women Alliance Leader Insights: Shelly Ashwill on AI and the Future of Work
Exceptional Women Alliance Leader Insights: Shelly Ashwill on AI and the Future of Work
At the Exceptional Women Alliance (EWA), our core mission is to connect senior women in a reciprocal sisterhood-driven mentoring community, empowering members to lift each other up to achieve both personal and professional success. As founder, board chair, and CEO of this nonprofit organization, I’m honored to share perspectives from impactful thought leaders within our peer-to-peer mentoring network. This month, I’m excited to feature Shelly Ashwill, a veteran executive with more than three decades of global leadership experience at Verizon and HCLTech. Shelly has built and led large-scale international B2B organizations, and she is deeply passionate about coaching and employee development at a time when AI is redefining long-held workforce norms.
Q: What is AI’s impact on the current workforce when it comes to job losses and job growth?
Shelly Ashwill: AI is already transforming today’s workforce, and the speed and scale of this shift are truly unprecedented. In just the first quarter of 2026 alone, the global tech industry reportedly laid off 80,000 workers, with roughly half of those cuts directly tied to AI or automation. Goldman Sachs economists estimate that AI is currently reducing U.S. payroll growth by around 16,000 jobs per month in sectors most exposed to AI integration. These numbers grab headlines, but they only tell part of the story.
According to the World Economic Forum, AI will disrupt 92 million existing jobs globally by 2030. At the same time, it is projected to create 170 million entirely new roles — that adds up to a net gain of 80 million new jobs over the next several years.
A mix of demographic and technological forces is driving this net shift. Global populations are growing, lifespans are increasing, and more people are choosing to remain in the workforce later in life. Beyond that, technological progress consistently spawns new categories of work. As AI adoption expands, brand new positions are already emerging to train, manage, and govern these systems. AI trainers, AI governance and compliance specialists, and prompt engineers are quickly becoming critical roles for organizations committed to responsible AI adoption.
The key takeaway? AI is transforming work — it is not simply eliminating it.
Q: What does this shift mean for employees working in the tech sector?
Shelly Ashwill: For technology professionals, the message is clear: start adapting now. Begin by conducting a thorough self-assessment of your current skills and experience. As you compete for new opportunities, ask yourself three critical questions: Can you demonstrate how you already leverage AI tools in your daily work? Are you comfortable talking about your hands-on AI experience in interviews? Have you pursued courses or certifications to deepen your understanding of these technologies?
As businesses evolve, they are actively seeking professionals who blend technical AI awareness with uniquely human strengths. Critical thinking, data literacy, emotional intelligence, and clear communication are more valuable than ever in an AI-enabled workplace. All workers must stay committed to keeping their skills relevant. The job market will continue to evolve, and the professionals who succeed will be those who actively invest in ongoing learning and can clearly articulate the unique value they bring to their organizations. The future workforce will reward people who can collaborate effectively with AI, think critically, communicate clearly, and adapt quickly to change.
Q: What are your recommendations for AI education and upskilling?
Shelly Ashwill: Start by dedicating just a small portion of your week to learning about AI. Short, focused learning programs are especially effective, and many professionals are turning to micro-learning formats — such as 30-day courses or bite-sized modules — that fit easily into busy work and life schedules. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and IBM offer accessible, affordable AI courses for all skill levels. Newsletters including The Rundown AI and TLDR AI also deliver digestible, helpful updates on the latest industry developments. Any courses or certifications you complete can be added directly to your LinkedIn profile to showcase your commitment to ongoing learning to employers and professional connections.
When building practical AI capabilities for work, focus on a few simple, actionable steps:
Identify routine tasks — like drafting emails, conducting research, or preparing reports — where AI can help you save time and effort
Learn to write effective prompts by practicing clear instructions and thoughtful context setting
Treat AI as a thought partner to brainstorm ideas, refine drafts, and explore new perspectives you may not have uncovered on your own
Build connected workflows that link AI-assisted tasks together to boost productivity when creating reports, analysis, or business insights
Experiment with different tools: every platform has unique strengths, and discovering what fits your personal workflow style is a core part of the learning process
Once these habits become part of your regular routine, you’ll see significant productivity gains very quickly.
Q: How can leaders keep their teams motivated while technology is evolving so rapidly?
Shelly Ashwill: Leaders play a critical role in helping employees navigate rapid technological change. There is a practical limit to how much new information any person can absorb, and employees should never be expected to master every new tool that hits the market. What they do need are leaders who guide them through change, model curiosity themselves, and build a workplace culture that actively supports continuous learning.
One highly effective strategy is learning together as a team. Individual members can explore specific AI use cases relevant to your organization’s work, then share their discoveries and key takeaways with the broader group. This collaborative approach cuts down on uncertainty, builds team confidence, and strengthens teamwork overall. Technology adoption is rarely a solo effort. When teams combine their unique knowledge and perspectives, they are far more capable of developing innovative, practical solutions that work for everyone.
While AI will reshape most roles in the coming years, it also opens extraordinary new opportunities for people who remain curious, adaptable, and committed to learning as the workforce continues to evolve.