MentorTime Quarterly Update on Work Trends 2025 into 2026 2025 12 16, captioned)

Job Market Challenges @ 0:00

The group discussed concerning work trends, including consumer lack of confidence in the hiring market, especially for those who were laid off from organizations like USAID. They also noted challenges with consumer confidence and border restrictions impacting tourism in Mexico.

AI Adoption and Impact @ 8:42
The main focus was on how AI is becoming more integrated into everyday work processes. Key points included: AI is a connector, not just a tool; everyone can build with AI using plain language; companies are starting to manage bot accounts like employees; and AI is achieving performance benchmarks on par with human experts in some domains.

Workforce Trends and Implications @ 13:00
The group reviewed data showing continued job losses, especially in the public sector and among women and minorities. This is leading to a potential gap in mid-level management talent in the future. However, there are still certain skills and roles that AI cannot replace, such as regulation advisory, project management, and marketing.

Adapting to the Changing Landscape @ 28:33
To succeed in this environment, the key recommendations were: experiment with AI tools but don't over-rely on them, treat communication as a core skill, develop data analysis capabilities, map out personal career goals, and set boundaries to manage energy. The group also discussed changes to LinkedIn's algorithms and how to optimize profiles for the new system.

Recap and Next Steps @ 1:01:32
In summary, AI is becoming more integrated into work, requiring both companies and individuals to adapt. The group discussed specific strategies and resources to navigate this evolving landscape. Sue will provide the meeting recording and references, and asked for input on future Mentor Time topics.