The Fifth Industrial Revolution Is Here — And It Starts With You
Introduction: Beyond the Hype – Why This AI Moment Matters
We are living through a transformational era. Not just in terms of tools and technologies — but in how we define work, leadership, and human potential. As AI and automation become embedded into every business process, the winners of this revolution won’t be the most technical — they’ll be the most human.
That’s the core of my keynote, The Tech Revolution: Amplifying human potential in the AI era" which I’m proud to deliver for ManpowerGroup’s 2025 Conference. Because the future doesn’t belong to AI. It belongs to those who know how to use it — with heart, strategy, and trust.
The Shift: From Efficiency to Amplification
The first wave of technology in business was all about automation — doing more with less. But now, in what I call The Fifth Industrial Revolution, the game has changed.
Today, AI is about amplification. It’s about enhancing human creativity, speeding up decision-making, and unlocking time to lead more meaningfully.
Take these examples from the workplace:
Recruiters are using AI to surface better candidates faster.
Managers are using sentiment analysis to understand team wellbeing.
Marketers are creating personalized campaigns in minutes, not days.
The result? More time to focus on what machines can’t do — empathize, create culture, and build trust.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: AI Adoption Is Accelerating
According to McKinsey’s 2025 State of AI Report, 78% of organizations now use AI in at least one business function — a leap from 55% just a year ago. This isn’t a trend. It’s a tectonic shift.
The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs 2025 Report reveals that AI and other technologies will create 170 million new jobs this decade. But here’s the catch — these roles will demand a new set of human skills:
Emotional intelligence
- Adaptability
- Storytelling
- Critical thinking
- AI isn’t replacing people — it’s reshaping the kind of people businesses need.
Augmented Intelligence, Not Artificial Replacement
In a world where ChatGPT can write reports and AI tools can analyze data in seconds, what becomes valuable isn’t technical knowledge alone — it’s huma
n insight.
This is the era of the “automated intern.” AI can draft, sort, and suggest. But it can’t persuade a client, lead a team through change, or resolve tension in a room. That’s where people shine.
And the best organisations? They double down on these strengths. They build training programs that elevate soft skills. They design cultures where emotional intelligence is rewarded — not just efficiency.
Trust Is the Hidden Currency of the AI Era
Still, there’s a danger. Pew Research recently found that 52% of workers are worried about AI’s impact on their careers. That worry comes not from AI itself — but from poor implementation.
The real risk is when AI is introduced without clarity, training, or ethical guardrails. Without trust, transformation fails.
The solution? Transparency. Culture. Communication.
IBM’s AI Skills Report 2025 notes that 47% of executives say their teams lack the skills to effectively adopt AI. This is a leadership challenge, not a technical one.
If we want people to embrace AI, we need to invite them in early, train them often, and lead with clarity and empathy. This is what I teach in my AI training sessions — especially for HR, internal comms, and senior leadership teams.
What Leaders Must Do Next: From Insight to Action
If you're a decision-maker in your organisation, here’s the truth: this moment is not optional. It’s an opportunity.
Here are three critical steps forward:
Start with people.
Train for emotional intelligence as much as you train for tech.
Communicate with transparency.
Let your teams know why you’re adopting AI and how it benefits them.
Reframe the narrative.
AI isn’t here to compete with your team. It’s here to complete your team.
As I say in my talks: Don’t fear the tech. Train for it.
Why I Do This Work
I’m Dan Sodergren — a futurist, author, and keynote speaker who believes that tech is at its best when it serves people. I’ve spent the last 20 years working with startups, global brands, and public sector leaders to make sense of the future.
From TEDx stages to boardrooms to radio shows, my mission has always been the same:
To help people thrive in times of change.
That’s why I wrote The Fifth Industrial Revolution — to give leaders a framework for blending human intelligence (emotional, organisational, independent) with artificial intelligence. That’s also why I built my AI Leadership Training Program — to equip teams with the mindset and tools to lead in this new era.
A Hopeful Ending: Why the Future of Work Is Still Human
There’s a quote I often use to close my talks:
“AI won’t replace you. But someone using AI probably will.”
But here’s the part people forget: it’s not just about using AI. It’s about knowing how to use it — with purpose, with clarity, with empathy.
The organisations that thrive in the next five years will be the ones who ask not just what AI can do, but who they want to become.
Because in the end, the future of work isn’t about machines.
It’s about humans — empowered by better tools, driven by better values, and inspired by bigger visions.
Want to Learn More?
If you’re ready to bring this conversation to your stage, your boardroom, or your leadership team — I’d love to help.
Explore AI training for your organisation
Download my free book on the Fifth Industrial Revolution
Let’s build a future that works — for everyone.
