FluentStream’s VP, Marissa Barcza, on the Future of Work 

The scene might feel like one from a sci-fi movie. You walk into work, hang up your coat and open your laptop to start the day. Your humanoid assistant switches on next to you, lifting its robotic head and humming to life with a whir of motors. It starts by responding to your emails and adjusting your calendar for the day. 

Having a robotic AI assistant is science fiction, but it might not remain so for long. 

AI agents are still in the early stages, but so far can navigate through multi-staged tasks — like booking a flight or adjusting a calendar — making autonomous decisions along the way. But just because AI agents aren’t ubiquitous yet doesn’t mean that AI isn’t already influencing our workforce.

There are conflicting studies on how much of the workforce currently uses AI. The newly formed Anthropic Economic Index’s initial report found that 36 percent of occupations use AI for at least a quarter of their tasks; mostly falling in the software development or communication categories of work. Anthropic also found that AI is most often used by those in mid-to-high wage positions and is least likely to be used by the lowest- and highest-paid roles. Other reports, like from McKinsey & Company, state that only 12 percent of workers use AI in a third of their weekly tasks. 

The impact of AI on jobs remains to be seen. 

While a 2025 report from McKinsey & Company titled “Superagency in the workplace: Empowering people to unlock AI’s full potential” stated that the number of jobs being displaced by AI by 2030 could be roughly 92 million, the report also suggested that there could be 170 million new jobs added due to shifting global trends.

To remain competitive, employees will need upskilling and reskilling to adapt to the changing technological landscape. Research from The World Economic Forum found that 70 percent of the skills used for most jobs will change by 2030. 

Despite an uncertain future of AI’s true impact on the future of work, some aspects are certain: automation will grow and companies will continue to commit to the promise of profitability from AI. And, according to FluentStream’s VP of Sales, Marketing, and Success, Marissa Barcza, certain human skills — empathy, creativity, critical thinking — will always be irreplaceable. 

FluentStream’s VP on the Future of Work 

Marissa Barcza, vice president of sales, marketing, and success at FluentStream, recently spoke with Phil La Duke and Authority Magazine about what trends she sees emerging in the future of an AI-powered workforce. 

During the interview, the two spoke about how employers can adapt their communication styles and how job seekers can stay ahead of the curve by focusing on what they do best: learning and listening. 

“For most of modern history, automation transforms jobs — AI is a new iteration of automation that is proving to be incredibly helpful and disruptive,” Barcza said in the interview. “Despite all of the automation and drive toward increased efficiency, people will always crave human connection.” 

Barcza spoke about a recent customer survey where the team found that the vast majority of customers prefer interacting with humans over chatbots or automated systems.

“To future-proof your career, start by understanding and leveraging your unique strengths — those qualities that energize you and come naturally,” Barcza said in the interview. “Strengths-based leadership emphasizes focusing on what you do best rather than trying to excel in areas that may not align with your natural abilities.” 

She noted that automation can’t replicate human skills like empathy, creativity and critical thinking. To her, focusing on these strengths are what can set job seekers apart. 

“By honing your strengths and staying adaptable through continuous learning, you can position yourself in roles where your humanity becomes your greatest competitive advantage,” she added. 

“By honing your strengths and staying adaptable through continuous learning, you can position yourself in roles where your humanity becomes your greatest competitive advantage.” 

In the interview, she shared the theme that she sees impacting employers in the next decade: customers will expect their communication to be personalized, seamless and provided through omnichannel engagement. 

“Customers increasingly expect companies to ‘meet them where they are,’ whether that’s on social media, via messaging apps, through email or over the phone,” Barcza said. “The rise of AI-driven personalization and real-time communication tools will continue to intensify these expectations, making it crucial for businesses to anticipate and adapt to individual customer needs quickly.” 

Barcza, a thought leader in communication technology, suggested that employers start future-proofing their tech stacks now by investing in advanced communication tools that can offer personalization on a large scale. 

“This means adopting tools that integrate multiple communication channels into a unified platform, allowing employees to respond to customers in their preferred medium while maintaining a consistent and personalized experience,” Barcza added.

In a company blog, Barcza added that, “adaptability is paramount.” 

“The integration of collaborative platforms with Unified Communications as a Service empowers organizations to effortlessly adjust their communication systems to accommodate changes in business requirements and fluctuations in user demand.” 

FluentStream’s Culture of Curiosity that Puts People First 

During the interview with Authority Magazine, Barcza spoke about the concerns that many young people have today about what kind of career they should pursue in order to be competitive in such a rapidly changing job market. 

“I encourage young adults to seek advice from mentors, learn about a variety of career paths to identify what may be best for them and to remember that learning doesn’t end with a degree — lifelong curiosity and adaptability are what truly set people apart in our ever-evolving job market,” Barcza said. 

Committing to a mentality of “lifelong curiosity” is exactly what FluentStream encourages in its workplace culture. 

FluentStream has long prided itself on a people-first culture. Across departments, employees  speak of the care and attention that leadership directs toward the well-being of the team through actions like stepping in to help out the support team or managers’ open-door policies.

This people-first culture is echoed in the company’s commitment to lifelong learning. It’s what lights up leaders like Barcza. 

“What excites me most is the growing normalization of lifelong learning,” she added in the interview. “We’re seeing a shift away from the traditional ‘school-to-career’ path toward a more flexible approach to education and work. Career pivots, professional development, certifications, and even degrees pursued later in life are becoming more common and celebrated.”

“As society embraces this blend of curiosity, technological advancement and lifelong learning, I’m confident we’re equipping ourselves with the tools and resilience to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future of work,” concluded Barcza.