S2.E2.The Disappearance of Junior Roles: Hiring Smarter, Leading AI-Driven Teams with Gerard Pietrykiewicz

2025-04-14

What happens when AI becomes a job requirement—and human roles have to justify their own existence? In this eye-opening episode, Aina Alive welcomes back Gerard Pietrykiewicz to explore a bold internal memo from Shopify’s CEO (https://www.forbes.com/sites/douglaslaney/2025/04/09/selling-ai-strategy-to-employees-shopify-ceos-manifesto/) that declares a hiring freeze unless a role cannot be done by AI. What does that mean for hiring managers, career paths, and the future of work as we know it? Together, Aina and Gerard unp...

What happens when AI becomes a job requirement—and human roles have to justify their own existence?

In this eye-opening episode, Aina Alive welcomes back Gerard Pietrykiewicz to explore a bold internal memo from Shopify’s CEO (https://www.forbes.com/sites/douglaslaney/2025/04/09/selling-ai-strategy-to-employees-shopify-ceos-manifesto/) that declares a hiring freeze unless a role cannot be done by AI. What does that mean for hiring managers, career paths, and the future of work as we know it?

Together, Aina and Gerard unpack:

Why polished answers in interviews might now be a red flag
How to tell if someone is truly skilled—or just great at prompting ChatGPT
What the disappearance of junior roles means for long-term talent development
Why communication—not just technical skill—is now the top hiring priority
What “AI-ready” really means—and how to test for it ethically

This episode is your preview to a deeper conversation happening in our upcoming live webinar on May 1st:
“Hiring for the Future: Building and Leading AI-Driven Teams” (https://www.linkedin.com/events/hiringforthefuture-buildingandl7312833137795821568/)

Whether you’re a hiring manager, team lead, volunteer, or future-focused professional—this one’s for you.

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