AI Expert: The Future of Work Is Changing Faster Than We Think

Summary

AI expert Nick Mihailou and host Mark Bouris discuss how quickly AI capabilities and their practical applications are changing.

Major developments and risks

• AI-assisted mathematics: Mihailou says OpenAI reported that its agents solved 370 difficult mathematical problems in about three hours—problems that had resisted solutions for years. He sees the speed of progress, rather than only the result, as significant.
• Software recreation: They discuss an online project described as using AI to reverse-engineer and recreate software and games. The speakers say this could lower barriers to reproducing existing products and raise serious questions about software intellectual property.
• Australian policy and sovereignty: The conversation covers proposals to bring OpenAI and Anthropic to Australia, disputes over copyright and training data, and public concern following an AI-related Medicare incident. Mihailou argues that policy debate should also consider AI’s potential benefits.
• Data centres and national capability: The speakers frame data centres, computing capacity, energy, and hardware supply chains as strategic issues. They warn that countries without local infrastructure could become dependent on foreign providers, and argue Australia should build its AI capacity while also investing in public training.

AI, work, and business

Mihailou points to AI-related layoffs overseas and says some companies are hiring AI specialists or “AI orchestrators” to identify and automate routine work.

His suggested approach for workers is to:

1. Identify a distinctive human strength, such as sales, relationship-building, or specialist expertise.
2. Identify repetitive tasks that consume time but do not directly create value.
3. Learn to automate those tasks and manage AI agents, while focusing more time on work where human strengths matter.
4. Keep up with new AI tools and developments.

Tools and practical examples discussed

• Claude Co-work screen recording: Mihailou describes a “record skill” feature that can capture someone’s screen and voice explanation of their workflow. Claude can then turn the process into instructions or a reusable skill or agent to help automate it. He gives email and CRM upkeep as examples.
• Task and follow-up agents: An agent could review email, contacts, calendars, and meeting notes; identify follow-ups or business opportunities; draft messages; and remind a user about overdue replies. In the real-estate example, an agent helps prioritize prospects and prepare outreach.
• Instinct personal agent: In a demonstration, Mihailou says he gives the agent a grocery list and asks it to find cheaper options nearby. He also describes agents monitoring marketplaces for bargains and tracking tickets, restaurant reservations, or property listings. These agents can send updates through messaging services such as WhatsApp or iMessage.
• Potential savings and resale: The speakers suggest that continuous monitoring could help people find cheaper groceries, used gym equipment, clothes, collectibles, or property. These are presented as possible uses rather than guaranteed savings or returns.

Training program mentioned

Mihailou describes youraiworkshop.ai as a six-week, six-part program focused on identifying repetitive work and building automations, mainly with Claude, Claude Co-work, and Claude Code. He says it also includes ongoing updates on AI tools and models, plus more than 100 lessons covering marketing, lead generation, and related business applications.

Guides and demonstrations

1. Automating a personal workflow: Record and explain a routine in Claude Co-work so it can be converted into a reusable skill or agent.
2. Prioritizing business follow-ups: Use an agent to review communications and meeting information, then identify next steps and prepare drafts.
3. Finding lower prices: Ask a personal agent to compare a shopping list across nearby stores.
4. Monitoring opportunities: Set criteria for items, tickets, or property and have an agent watch for matching listings or availability.

The demonstrations and capabilities above are described by the speakers; the transcript does not independently verify the products’ performance.

Main speakers

• Mark Bouris — host and interviewer.
• Nick Mihailou — AI expert and guest.