Are we standing at the edge of the most transformative industrial revolution in history? According to former Head of Go-To-Market at OpenAI, Zack Kass, the answer is a confident yes—and it’s happening faster than most organizations are prepared for.

In a compelling episode of Digital Disruption with Geoff Nielson, Zack pulls back the curtain on what’s really unfolding in the AI economy. Drawing from his experience commercializing large language models at OpenAI and advising governments and global organizations today, Zack frames this moment not as a tech wave—but as the next Renaissance. One driven not just by machines, but by what humans do best: curiosity, creativity, and meaning-making.

AI Isn’t Replacing Experts—It’s Supercharging Them

Zack Kass unpacks how AI is becoming the greatest force multiplier in history, accelerating how we learn, create, and solve complex problems. The biggest shifts won’t just be in automation—they’ll be in how knowledge itself is produced and applied. Experts will move faster. Small teams will increasingly rival massive ones. And entire industries will reconfigure around speed, personalization, and intelligence at the edge.

The Future of Work Won’t Be What You Think

Forget the tired “jobs vs. robots” narrative. Zack points to a more nuanced reality:

• New competitors won’t look like old competitors.
• AI will live on personal devices, not just in enterprise software.
• Passion projects will become viable careers.
• And the Fortune 1000? Many are heading for dramatic reinvention—whether they like it or not.

At the same time, Zack doesn’t dodge the tension. He dives into emerging conflicts between workers and institutions, the rising influence of powerful tech platforms, and the ethical “negative space” of AI—what it won’t solve and what it might worsen if unchecked.

The Real Advantage Will Be Human

As machines handle more execution, Zack argues the most valuable skills will be deeply human ones: storytelling, judgment, empathy, creativity, and moral leadership. In a world flooded with intelligence, meaning becomes the scarce advantage.

This episode isn’t about hype—it’s about preparing for reality. Organizations that cling to old models will struggle. Those that adapt their leadership, culture, and strategy for the AI age will define what comes next.

And if Zack is right, what comes next isn’t just disruption—it’s transformation at a once-in-a-generation scale.

Interested in having Zack Kass speak at your next event, meeting or conference? Email info@bigspeak.com to inquire.