Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon recently remarked:
“AI can now draft 95% of an S1 IPO prospectus in minutes – a task that used to require a 6-person team and multiple weeks. The last 5% now matters because the rest is a commodity.”
A striking statement – and a sobering truth.
We are witnessing a tectonic shift. AI is not just automating repetitive tasks; it is commoditizing high-value professional work once reserved for elite experts. The knowledge economy is being recalibrated – from expertise-driven to insight-driven, from execution to elevation.
What does this mean for leadership?
- Efficiency is no longer a differentiator; judgment is.
- Speed is expected; strategic originality is what stands out.
- Majority of your deliverables may be automated; it’s the final last missing piece that will justify your role and relevance.
As AI continues to erode the margins of operational work, we must urgently ask ourselves:
Are we building teams that can deliver unique insight and direction? Or are we still rewarding output that’s quickly becoming replaceable?
This is not just a wave of change – it’s a new baseline. The AI effect, a new reality for knowledge workers.
