Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky warns two types of people won’t survive the AI era: ‘pure people managers’ and workers who resist change

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has warned that only two types of professionals will struggle to adapt to the age of artificial intelligence. While many tech leaders have predicted AI will disrupt numerous jobs, Chesky believes the real threat comes from people who resist change. He identified two groups that "will not survive the age of AI": pure people managers and those unwilling to evolve.

Chesky argued that future leaders must become "hybrid people managers" or individual contributors, balancing technical understanding with connection to the work. He cited former Apple design chief Jony Ive as a successful example. Chesky also argued that any worker who believes AI can't affect their job will be at a disadvantage, insisting that leveraging the technology is essential for survival. He emphasized that AI is a necessity for success, not just an asset.