June 11, 2025 – New York, NY — Artificial intelligence is no longer on the horizon—it’s here, and it’s already altering the shape of the global workforce. Speaking at a leading tech and finance conference this week, Robert F. Smith, CEO of Vista Equity Partners, delivered a bold prediction:
“We think that next year, 40% of the people at this conference will have an AI agent, and the remaining 60% will be looking for work.”
Robert F. Smith, CEO of Vista Equity Partners
His statement, though provocative, reflects the growing reality of AI’s transformative impact. These AI agents—autonomous software programs capable of executing complex, multi-step financial and business tasks—are fast becoming essential tools across industries, from asset management to customer service to enterprise operations.
AI Is Not Hype—It’s Big Business
For anyone still dismissing AI as overhyped, consider the numbers:
- Annualised Revenue: As of June 2025, OpenAI has reached an annualized revenue of $10 billion, marking an 82% jump from $5.5 billion in 2024.
- 2025 Revenue Target: The company is firmly on track to hit $12.7 billion by year’s end.
- 2029 Forecast: OpenAI projects $125 billion in annual revenue by 2029.
- 2030 Ambition: Some market analysts suggest the company could hit $174 billion in revenue by 2030.
These figures represent more than financial growth—they signal a tectonic shift in how industries operate, how businesses are structured, and who (or what) performs critical tasks.
The AI Era: Adapt or Be Replaced
Smith’s comment isn’t just about software—it’s about survival in an accelerating digital economy. AI agents are not simply automating repetitive work; they are reasoning, strategising, and making decisions at speeds and scales human teams can’t match. Whether it’s handling M&A analysis, real-time financial modeling, customer segmentation, or legal contract review, AI agents are being trained to outperform even elite professionals.
And the implications for the workforce are profound.
“Whether you join or not, the AI era is here,” said a senior venture partner at the conference. “This isn’t like previous tech waves—this one learns, adapts, and scales infinitely. If you don’t take action now, you might not get a second chance.”
A Moment for Urgent Reflection
For workers across sectors—finance, law, healthcare, education, and beyond—the call is clear: embrace AI or risk irrelevance. The next few years will determine who leads, who lags, and who is left behind.
The wind of AI is blowing strong. It’s not just about efficiency—it’s about reimagining how value is created in the modern world.
Now is the time to upskill, integrate AI into your daily toolkit, and shift from fearing disruption to mastering it. Because in the era of AI agents, the only thing more dangerous than change is ignoring it.
