Block CFO Predicts AI Agents Will Join Corporate Org Charts as Firms Rethink Work
Block CFO and COO Amrita Ahuja said at Fortune's Most Powerful Women Summit that companies are restructuring workforces to justify large AI investments. She expects AI agents to appear on organizational charts, with employees training and managing them much like human colleagues. Other executives at the event, including Synopsys CFO Shelagh Glaser and Cloudflare's Michelle Zatlyn, discussed making AI spending purposeful and using the technology to expand internal talent.
Block CEO Jack Dorsey cut 40% of staff earlier this year while the firm broadened its use of AI to automate workflows. At the Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit, CFO and COO Amrita Ahuja said firms are reshaping roles to justify AI spending, which is expected to surpass $730 billion this year. She foresees AI agents listed alongside human units on org charts, requiring ongoing context, information, and goal updates.
Synopsys CFO Shelagh Glaser urged deliberate AI investment, comparing choices to break-room snacks. Cloudflare's Michelle Zatlyn said AI can reveal hidden internal talent, turning employees into builders. Amazon's Heather Zorn tracks uptake, participation, time savings, and finally sales gains.
As AI agents enter org charts, employees may see roles shift toward training, oversight, and deployment, while some jobs could be displaced. Firms might gain efficiency but also face questions about accountability, skill development, and how AI-driven gains are shared. Workers with adaptability and internal builder skills could benefit; those in routine tasks may face greater uncertainty. The broader effect may depend on whether companies use AI to augment talent or mainly cut costs.