Tech Leaders Overview On AI, From Massive Investments To AI Whiplash On Jobs; The Outlook And The Warnings!

Tech leaders have spoken!

Artificial Intelligence, AI has gone from a futuristic concept to an unstoppable force reshaping industries, economies, and daily life across the globe – from automating routine tasks to generating creative content, diagnosing diseases, and even driving cars, AI is making waves in ways we could only dream of a decade ago.

Tech giants are pouring billions into AI research, even as businesses scramble to integrate AI-driven solutions to stay competitive. On the other hand, governments are struggling with its implications of balancing innovation with regulation, job creation with job displacement. The rise of AI is a technological shift indeed but it is also about economic and societal transformation.

Yet, with all its promise, AI also brings challenges. The fear of job losses, ethical concerns over bias, privacy risks, and the sheer speed of its evolution have sparked intense debate. Are we heading toward a future where AI empowers humanity, or will it create deeper divides between those who adapt and those left behind?

Tech Leaders Speak Out

John Hope Bryant, CEO of Operation Hope, is not sugarcoating when he says – AI is going to hit jobs hard, and the ones at the bottom of the economic pyramid will feel the brunt of it. Speaking in Singapore, he pointed out that the risk of job losses due to artificial intelligence will disproportionately impact lower-income workers.

Bryant stressed the need for governments to step up and invest in upskilling the working and middle classes, as well as younger generations. He believes that, in the long run, this investment will drive productivity and economic growth globally. Right now, he argued, not enough attention is being paid to the people most vulnerable to automation. Jobs in convenience stores and grocery stores are already disappearing, he warned. This isn’t some distant future, it’s happening now!

Therefore, for those with only a high school education and limited industry connections, the next few years could be tough. If governments and private companies don’t prioritize AI training and reskilling, Bryant believes that by 2025-2030, many will be left behind.

AI should not be seen as just another tech upgrade, it is in fact an entire societal shift. He compared it to the transition from horse-drawn carriages to automobiles in the 1850s; within a decade, the horse was obsolete.

The Economy Is at a Crossroads

He cited the U.S. economy, in particular, which is facing serious challenges, with national debt exceeding $36.2 trillion. Some might argue the solution is aggressive budget cuts, but Bryant disagrees. He believes cutting alone won’t solve a multi-trillion-dollar deficit. Instead, he suggested a different approach: grow the economy by bringing more people into the wealth-creation process. If 10-20% of those struggling at the bottom were trained and given the right opportunities, GDP could see a 3-4% boost every year for the next decade.

To make this happen, Bryant proposed that governments introduce tax policies that reward companies for creating AI apprenticeship programs and internships. Schools should also prioritize financial literacy and entrepreneurship education. Right now, he pointed out, wealth is accumulating in the hands of those who already have it – money is making more money, while labor is losing its value.

He notes, that the gap between the rich and everyone else is growing, making it increasingly difficult for the working and middle classes to move up. The wealthy are taking a larger share, and according to Bryant, that kind of imbalance isn’t sustainable. The only real solution is to invest in upskilling the workforce and providing better opportunities for future generations.

If this doesn’t happen, he warned, things could get ugly. Economic and social disruption is inevitable when large groups of people feel left behind. And when markets and economies face instability, everyone suffers. His advice? Grow the economy while cutting waste, encourage wealth creation without demonizing success, and most importantly, make sure more people have a stake in the future.

Grab’s Anthony Tan on AI. Adapt or Get Left Behind

Likewise, Grab’s co-founder and CEO Anthony Tan said that he is integrating AI into both his business and personal life. And he has a clear warning – those who don’t embrace AI will be replaced by those who do!

Tan made his stance clear, employees who don’t adopt AI will be outpaced by those who do, and the same applies to companies. He believes AI has the power to make individuals and businesses “superhuman.”

Since co-founding Grab in 2012, Tan has led the company to become Southeast Asia’s top ride-hailing platform. Now, he’s focused on bringing AI into every aspect of work-life. One example is Grab Academy, the company’s educational platform for drivers, which includes an AI assistant that helps drivers find more jobs and reduces wait times for passengers. AI, he stressed, isn’t something to fear, it’s a tool that can enhance productivity for everyone, including gig workers and small business owners.

The AI Race Is On

Notably, Grab has expanded into food and grocery delivery, digital payments, lending, and even banking. In 2024, it pulled in $2.8 billion in revenue, marking a 19% increase from the previous year.

With AI adoption accelerating, businesses are adjusting fast. According to the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Future of Jobs Report, about 40% of employers are considering job cuts due to AI, while half are restructuring their businesses around it. By 2030, 86% of companies expect AI to transform their operations.

Tan is already ahead of the curve. Though he doesn’t code himself, he uses AI tools to experiment, research, and enhance Grab’s capabilities. For him, AI is not only a productivity booster, it’s a game-changer.

Going All In on AI

Tan wanted the AI-driven efficiency he experienced for himself to scale across the company. That’s why he put Grab through a bold, nine-week “generative AI sprint,” pausing all business-as-usual activities to focus on AI integration. Some thought he was crazy, but he believes the move paid off.

One of the biggest outcomes was the AI-powered Merchant Menu Assistant. This tool allows restaurant owners to simply take a picture of a menu, and AI automatically uploads the information to the Grab app. Tan sees this as a way to empower small business owners whether it’s a single mother running a home-based food business or a street vendor trying to reach more customers. With AI acting as a sous chef, packaging assistant, and revenue manager all in one, he believes the technology can be a great equalizer for entrepreneurs.

For Tan, integrating AI not only gives a competitive advantage but is also the future and the message is simple – adapt, or risk getting left behind.

Salesforce’s Marc Benioff Questions the AI Data Center Frenzy

On the other hand, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff is raising an eyebrow at the massive investments being poured into AI infrastructure with companies making “multi-100 billion dollar” bets on data centers. He asks whether all that spending is really necessary.

Referring to recent developments like DeepSeek and Alibaba’s Qwen model, Benioff pointed out that businesses might not need to go all-in on these expensive setups. “It has to be rethought—exactly what are you doing and why are you doing this?” he said.

He also warned about the dangers of “group-think” in tech, where companies rush into trends without fully evaluating if they truly need them. “Maybe they do, but also maybe they don’t,” he said, suggesting that businesses should take a step back before blindly following the AI hype.