What does AI at work really look like once the hype fades and the day-to-day reality sets in?

In this episode of AI at Work, I’m joined by Nicole Leib, Regional Vice President of People for the Americas and Global Head of Inclusion at monday.com, for a grounded, refreshingly honest conversation about how AI is actually being used in modern organizations. We recorded this during CES week, when every headline seemed to promise disruption, reinvention, and job loss. Yet the data Nicole brings to the table tells a very different story.

Drawing on Monday.com’s World of Work: AI Edition report, produced in partnership with Nielsen and informed by millions of real workflows, Nicole explains why labor reduction is not the primary driver behind AI adoption. Instead, organizations are using AI to move faster, improve accuracy, and reduce the cognitive load placed on teams. This marks a clear shift into what she calls the operational era of AI, where success is measured by practical outcomes rather than futuristic promises. We unpack why the tools gaining traction are not the flashiest, but the ones that fit naturally into existing workflows and simply help people get through their day.

We also explore the human side of AI adoption. Nicole shares insights into why innovation is barely a motivator right now, what tool overload looks like in practice, and why simplification is becoming a real competitive advantage. Our conversation touches on trust, security, and governance, especially for larger enterprises, and why embedding AI into systems people already rely on matters more than adding yet another standalone tool. We also address the confidence gap around AI, including the striking gender divide where women are often using AI more while undervaluing their own expertise, and what that means for career progression.

By the end of the discussion, one idea stands out above all others. AI is not pushing people out of work. It is helping them step up, take on more strategic responsibilities, and rethink what valuable work looks like in a world of constant change.

As we look ahead to what the next phase of AI at work might bring, are our leaders ready to stop waiting for a perfect future moment and start treating AI as a core operating capability today, and how are you seeing that shift play out inside your own organization?

Useful Inks

• Connect With Nicole Leib,
• Introducing AI at work: From vision to value, Monday Research’s latest report
• Follow Monday on LinkedIn

Thanks to our sponsors, Alcor, for supporting the show.