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Open to Work: How to Get Ahead in the Age of AI
Work is changing for everyone, everywhere. Standing still isn't an option. Ryan Roslansky and Aneesh Raman, CEO and Chief Economic Opportunity Officer at LinkedIn, show you how to take control of this moment with clarity and confidence.
The future of work is not a distant horizon. It is being built right now. While some of us are experimenting and adapting with AI, most of us are feeling anxious and uncertain, navigating rapid change with outdated playbooks. We're relying on old career advice that assumes the tasks you do at work are static, that the skills you learned in school last decades and that success comes from moving up a predictable ladder. That's the old world of work and it's on the way out.
Open To Work offers a new path forward. Backed by real-time insights from over a billion professionals on LinkedIn, it is a clear-eyed view of what's actually changing, what skills you really need, and how to stay ahead at work as AI reshapes every aspect of work.
You'll meet early movers like Neil, who used AI to get better at his job; Jonetta, who used AI to get a new job; and Taj, who used AI to build a business.
You’ll also get expert perspectives across the future of work and careers, helping you discover what will make you competitive in ways no machine can replace. You'll learn how
· Assess which parts of your job to delegate to AI, and which to keep for yourself
· Build the core human capabilities that will carry you through any technological shift
· Take action, including with a 30-60-90 day plan
Both a roadmap and a rallying cry, Open To Work delivers an urgent change is coming. The only question is whether you harness it or let it overtake you.
The future of work is not a distant horizon. It is being built right now. While some of us are experimenting and adapting with AI, most of us are feeling anxious and uncertain, navigating rapid change with outdated playbooks. We're relying on old career advice that assumes the tasks you do at work are static, that the skills you learned in school last decades and that success comes from moving up a predictable ladder. That's the old world of work and it's on the way out.
Open To Work offers a new path forward. Backed by real-time insights from over a billion professionals on LinkedIn, it is a clear-eyed view of what's actually changing, what skills you really need, and how to stay ahead at work as AI reshapes every aspect of work.
You'll meet early movers like Neil, who used AI to get better at his job; Jonetta, who used AI to get a new job; and Taj, who used AI to build a business.
You’ll also get expert perspectives across the future of work and careers, helping you discover what will make you competitive in ways no machine can replace. You'll learn how
· Assess which parts of your job to delegate to AI, and which to keep for yourself
· Build the core human capabilities that will carry you through any technological shift
· Take action, including with a 30-60-90 day plan
Both a roadmap and a rallying cry, Open To Work delivers an urgent change is coming. The only question is whether you harness it or let it overtake you.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published March 31, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
April 14, 2026
I have read a few self-help or motivational books but this is the worst of all. More than motivating to use AI and not feeling overwhelmed during today's time, this book is creating a feeling of urgency around use of AI. It says multiple times that people or governments or leaders not using AI will be impacted. It focuses more on the negativitiy rather than positive outcomes. This felt like a propaganda book written by an executive to use their products. Examples are only from LinkedIn and Microsoft. Last but not the least, this could have been an OpEd or a blog post rather than a book. But since the book was free and I cant leave book partially read, I finished this.
April 7, 2026
I was expecting more from this book than it delivered. The advice is the same as many job-hunting and career development books I've read, such as determining what makes us stand out, the importance of honing our soft skills, and thinking like an entrepreneur. There were a few anecdotes on how AI was used to save time and improve processes, but even most of the examples didn't mention the use of AI. My takeaway from reading the book is that AI is just another tool that can help people develop professionally and complete rote tasks, but it is not the solution to everything.
April 13, 2026
This book did a great job of addressing common fears and hesitations many people have towards AI and offered perspectives that might help shift people's minds to a more optimistic outlook. They describe AI as tool that remixes what already exists, but we are the ones that will be able to invent new things. AI will give us the time to invent those new things. It provides a great, realistic plan to slowly integrate AI into your work. I did feel like the book was repetitive at times and dragged on, but had some great key points that I will carry on into my job.
May 10, 2026
Ryan Roslansky is the CEO of LinkedIn; Aneesh Raman is the Chief Economic Opportunity Officer of LinkedIn. Their 2026 book Open to Work is a short (224 page book/6 hour audiobook) advertisement for LinkedIn ('open to work' is a reference to the green profile ring one can add their LinkedIn profile with '#opentowork' written on it) under the guise of giving job advice about working in the age of AI/ML. Unfortunately, there is very little practical content in the book about people who've successfully leveraged AI/ML to facilitate their careers -- but there are plenty of suggestions to check out LinkedIn learning (behind the paywall) for up-to-date content on this topic.
That being said, this is a rapidly emerging area where concrete examples are likely obsolete by publication. Continuous and focused learning through trial and error is essential, both for general applications and for field-specific applications.
My statistics:
Book 80 for 2026
Book 2386 cumulatively
That being said, this is a rapidly emerging area where concrete examples are likely obsolete by publication. Continuous and focused learning through trial and error is essential, both for general applications and for field-specific applications.
My statistics:
Book 80 for 2026
Book 2386 cumulatively
April 15, 2026
The book didn’t answer “How to get ahead in the age of AI”. Lots of disconnected stories barely related to AI. Could have been summarized in a couple of paragraphs.
April 28, 2026
There were some genuinely good bits, mostly the reflection on how industrialization shaped both the education system and the career ladder. But those could have been fitted in a longish article and one that could have been written at any point in the last 30 years.
As for the rest, I couldn’t escape the impression that the project is incredibly cynical. The advice given to both individuals and communities on how to deal with the oncoming AI disruption could be easily summed up by the adage that “if you and your friend are surprised by a charging bear while hiking, you don’t need to run faster than the bear, just faster than your friend.”
The only advice that was approaching something like a systematic solution was also a carbon copy of what I heard 25 years ago at business school as an advice for dealing with coming dot.com disruption — be entrepreneurial. It didn’t work as a system solution then and it won’t work now. Never mind the fact that AI already in existence (let alone the what’s being developed) is order of magnitude more impactful than dot.com.
If you are worried about the coming wave of disruption caused by AI — as you should be — don’t look for an answer in this book.
As for the rest, I couldn’t escape the impression that the project is incredibly cynical. The advice given to both individuals and communities on how to deal with the oncoming AI disruption could be easily summed up by the adage that “if you and your friend are surprised by a charging bear while hiking, you don’t need to run faster than the bear, just faster than your friend.”
The only advice that was approaching something like a systematic solution was also a carbon copy of what I heard 25 years ago at business school as an advice for dealing with coming dot.com disruption — be entrepreneurial. It didn’t work as a system solution then and it won’t work now. Never mind the fact that AI already in existence (let alone the what’s being developed) is order of magnitude more impactful than dot.com.
If you are worried about the coming wave of disruption caused by AI — as you should be — don’t look for an answer in this book.
April 5, 2026
The book was supposed to work how do you get ahead in the age of AI. There was very little detail on what to do. It put emphasis on soft skills and intersectionality which is good. But it left much to be desired.
May 1, 2026
Book review: Open to Work by Ryan Roslansky and Aneesh Raman
Rating: 8.5/10
I picked up this book because I wanted a better view on how AI will reshape work, skills, and career relevance.
I am glad I read it.
The authors bring weight to the subject. Ryan Roslansky is LinkedIn’s CEO and Microsoft EVP, and Aneesh Raman is LinkedIn’s Chief Economic Opportunity Officer.
One of my core values is progressiveness, so the message connected with how I already think about work. Progress does not come from waiting until the rules are clear. It comes from staying curious, testing new ways of working, and being willing to challenge your own habits before the market does it for you.
That is where AI becomes interesting.
The tool itself matters. The bigger question is how people respond to it.
Some people will learn quickly. Some will wait for permission. Some will protect the process they already know. Some will assume experience alone is enough.
Age does not decide AI readiness.
I have seen younger professionals hold very fixed assumptions about how work should be done. I have also seen more experienced professionals move faster because they are open enough to learn again.
That is the real workplace divide.
Curiosity. Humility. Judgment. Learning speed.
For anyone with an HR background, this book should be highly recommended reading.
HR sits close to the gap between what leaders want to change and what people are actually ready to do. That makes HR critical in skills mapping, reskilling, role design, leadership readiness, and helping people build confidence with AI.
The strongest HR teams will stop treating AI as an IT topic.
They will ask better questions:
What skills are becoming more valuable?
Which roles are changing fastest?
Where are people holding on to old ways of working?
How do we help capable people stay useful?
How do we build learning speed into the culture?
Open to Work is a timely reminder that relevance has to be earned continuously.
A highly recommended read for professionals who want to stay relevant and raise their value with AI, especially HR leaders and people leaders preparing their teams for what comes next.
#FutureOfWork #AITransformation #PeopleLeadership #HumanResources
Rating: 8.5/10
I picked up this book because I wanted a better view on how AI will reshape work, skills, and career relevance.
I am glad I read it.
The authors bring weight to the subject. Ryan Roslansky is LinkedIn’s CEO and Microsoft EVP, and Aneesh Raman is LinkedIn’s Chief Economic Opportunity Officer.
One of my core values is progressiveness, so the message connected with how I already think about work. Progress does not come from waiting until the rules are clear. It comes from staying curious, testing new ways of working, and being willing to challenge your own habits before the market does it for you.
That is where AI becomes interesting.
The tool itself matters. The bigger question is how people respond to it.
Some people will learn quickly. Some will wait for permission. Some will protect the process they already know. Some will assume experience alone is enough.
Age does not decide AI readiness.
I have seen younger professionals hold very fixed assumptions about how work should be done. I have also seen more experienced professionals move faster because they are open enough to learn again.
That is the real workplace divide.
Curiosity. Humility. Judgment. Learning speed.
For anyone with an HR background, this book should be highly recommended reading.
HR sits close to the gap between what leaders want to change and what people are actually ready to do. That makes HR critical in skills mapping, reskilling, role design, leadership readiness, and helping people build confidence with AI.
The strongest HR teams will stop treating AI as an IT topic.
They will ask better questions:
What skills are becoming more valuable?
Which roles are changing fastest?
Where are people holding on to old ways of working?
How do we help capable people stay useful?
How do we build learning speed into the culture?
Open to Work is a timely reminder that relevance has to be earned continuously.
A highly recommended read for professionals who want to stay relevant and raise their value with AI, especially HR leaders and people leaders preparing their teams for what comes next.
#FutureOfWork #AITransformation #PeopleLeadership #HumanResources
April 21, 2026
Everywhere you look today, there’s another headline, another tool, another warning—AI is coming for your job, your role, your relevance. It’s exhausting. As someone who spends a lot of time on LinkedIn, that pressure feels even more amplified. Every scroll becomes a comparison trap—people announcing promotions, building in public, mastering new tools overnight. On some days, it genuinely makes you question where you stand. That’s the emotional space I was in when I picked up Open to Work. What struck me first wasn’t just the content of the book, but the timing of it—it feels like it arrives exactly when that quiet anxiety starts getting louder.
The book is structured as a wake-up call, a reality check, and then a path forward—and that progression mirrors the internal journey many of us are going through. The idea that “jobs are tasks, not titles” and that careers are more like climbing walls than ladders sounds reassuring, but also slightly unsettling when you’re already feeling uncertain. What helped, though, was the reframing: instead of competing with AI, you start seeing it as something to work alongside. The emphasis on human skills—curiosity, creativity, courage—feels almost like a reminder of things we’ve always had but maybe stopped valuing in a metrics-driven world. Even the 30-60-90 day plan, while optimistic, offers something tangible to hold onto when everything else feels unpredictable.
At the same time, the fear doesn’t completely go away—and the book doesn’t magically solve that. There’s still a lingering question about how sustainable these ideas are in the long run. But what it does do is slow down the spiral. It pulls you back from that edge where everything feels like it’s moving too fast to catch up with. It reminds you that not everything needs to be figured out instantly, and that adapting is a process, not a race. For now, at least, it helps you sit back down, take a breath, and focus—not on becoming everything at once, but on becoming just a little more prepared than you were yesterday.
The book is structured as a wake-up call, a reality check, and then a path forward—and that progression mirrors the internal journey many of us are going through. The idea that “jobs are tasks, not titles” and that careers are more like climbing walls than ladders sounds reassuring, but also slightly unsettling when you’re already feeling uncertain. What helped, though, was the reframing: instead of competing with AI, you start seeing it as something to work alongside. The emphasis on human skills—curiosity, creativity, courage—feels almost like a reminder of things we’ve always had but maybe stopped valuing in a metrics-driven world. Even the 30-60-90 day plan, while optimistic, offers something tangible to hold onto when everything else feels unpredictable.
At the same time, the fear doesn’t completely go away—and the book doesn’t magically solve that. There’s still a lingering question about how sustainable these ideas are in the long run. But what it does do is slow down the spiral. It pulls you back from that edge where everything feels like it’s moving too fast to catch up with. It reminds you that not everything needs to be figured out instantly, and that adapting is a process, not a race. For now, at least, it helps you sit back down, take a breath, and focus—not on becoming everything at once, but on becoming just a little more prepared than you were yesterday.
April 29, 2026
"The most important thing to remember about AI is that you don't need to understand how it works under the hood. You just need to start using it."
We are living in a time where the word “replaceable” quietly hums beneath every career conversation.
And this book begins right there.
Not with panic.
Not with tech worship.
But with a question: What does it mean to stay relevant when the rules are rewriting themselves?
Open to Work doesn’t treat AI as a villain or a saviour. It treats it as weather. Inevitable. Shifting. Something you can’t control but can learn to move with.
Roslansky and Raman write from a vantage point that is uniquely powerful — LinkedIn’s data lens on millions of careers — yet the tone never feels distant. Instead, it feels almost reassuring. Like someone saying, “Yes, the ground is moving. But you’re not powerless.”
Careers are no longer ladders. They’re climbing walls.
Sideways moves. Skill pivots. Curiosity over credentials.
And that hit.
Because so many of us were raised on the promise of linear success... degree, job, promotion, stability. But the book gently dismantles that myth and replaces it with something far more alive: adaptability as currency.
The book emphasises on the human edge.
Curiosity. Compassion. Communication. Courage.
The things no algorithm can authentically replicate.
Instead of asking, “Will AI take my job?” the book reframes it to, “What parts of my job should AI take — so I can focus on what makes me irreplaceable?”
If anything, it reads like a reminder.
That staying “open to work” is not a LinkedIn badge.
It’s a mindset.
Open to learning.
Open to pivoting.
Open to unlearning the comfort of predictability.
In a world obsessed with certainty, this book makes a case for agility.
And perhaps that is the real takeaway.
The future doesn’t belong to the most intelligent.
It belongs to the most adaptable.
Would I recommend it?
Yes — especially if you’re feeling the quiet anxiety of being left behind in the AI conversation.
We are living in a time where the word “replaceable” quietly hums beneath every career conversation.
And this book begins right there.
Not with panic.
Not with tech worship.
But with a question: What does it mean to stay relevant when the rules are rewriting themselves?
Open to Work doesn’t treat AI as a villain or a saviour. It treats it as weather. Inevitable. Shifting. Something you can’t control but can learn to move with.
Roslansky and Raman write from a vantage point that is uniquely powerful — LinkedIn’s data lens on millions of careers — yet the tone never feels distant. Instead, it feels almost reassuring. Like someone saying, “Yes, the ground is moving. But you’re not powerless.”
Careers are no longer ladders. They’re climbing walls.
Sideways moves. Skill pivots. Curiosity over credentials.
And that hit.
Because so many of us were raised on the promise of linear success... degree, job, promotion, stability. But the book gently dismantles that myth and replaces it with something far more alive: adaptability as currency.
The book emphasises on the human edge.
Curiosity. Compassion. Communication. Courage.
The things no algorithm can authentically replicate.
Instead of asking, “Will AI take my job?” the book reframes it to, “What parts of my job should AI take — so I can focus on what makes me irreplaceable?”
If anything, it reads like a reminder.
That staying “open to work” is not a LinkedIn badge.
It’s a mindset.
Open to learning.
Open to pivoting.
Open to unlearning the comfort of predictability.
In a world obsessed with certainty, this book makes a case for agility.
And perhaps that is the real takeaway.
The future doesn’t belong to the most intelligent.
It belongs to the most adaptable.
Would I recommend it?
Yes — especially if you’re feeling the quiet anxiety of being left behind in the AI conversation.
May 14, 2026
Open to Work is somewhere between fascination and horror, just like the modern discussion around AI. This is an attempt to bridge that divide, written by LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky and his colleague Aneesh Raman. Open to Work discusses what occurs when technological progress outpaces emotional adaptation.
What I learned anew from the book is its kapproach to technology. Instead of dwelling upon innovations, the authors consider the anxieties associated with them. All these talks about automation, industry evolution, and career shifts lead to one big question, what will be left that is human in a world driven by AI?
Throughout the entire book, the authors come back to traits such as curiosity, creativity, courage, compassion, and communication, not as fancy terms used in corporate presentations but as qualities that could be in demand if people delegate mundane tasks to machines. Adaptability is another important notion introduced in the book. According to Roslansky and Raman, careers are no longer upward ladders they are dynamic landscapes full of twists and turns.
Most notable to me was the practical approach. Rather than overwhelm the reader with future-oriented language, the book offers a step-by-step explanation of how individuals can reframe their role, separate responsibilities for AI, and concentrate on judgment, social interaction, and creativity. A theme of comfort runs through the entire book, particularly for those who feel disoriented by the rapid evolution of the workplace.
Nonetheless, there are moments when the book seems overly polished, motivational, and somewhat corporate in its optimism. Readers who are curious about the hazards and ethical complexities of AI might find themselves wishing for a more critical examination of AI beyond the scope of employability.
Nevertheless, Open to Work achieves its goal of sparking an essential dialogue. This book is not so much a manual for AI technology but rather a survival guide for one's professional life during uncertain times.
What I learned anew from the book is its kapproach to technology. Instead of dwelling upon innovations, the authors consider the anxieties associated with them. All these talks about automation, industry evolution, and career shifts lead to one big question, what will be left that is human in a world driven by AI?
Throughout the entire book, the authors come back to traits such as curiosity, creativity, courage, compassion, and communication, not as fancy terms used in corporate presentations but as qualities that could be in demand if people delegate mundane tasks to machines. Adaptability is another important notion introduced in the book. According to Roslansky and Raman, careers are no longer upward ladders they are dynamic landscapes full of twists and turns.
Most notable to me was the practical approach. Rather than overwhelm the reader with future-oriented language, the book offers a step-by-step explanation of how individuals can reframe their role, separate responsibilities for AI, and concentrate on judgment, social interaction, and creativity. A theme of comfort runs through the entire book, particularly for those who feel disoriented by the rapid evolution of the workplace.
Nonetheless, there are moments when the book seems overly polished, motivational, and somewhat corporate in its optimism. Readers who are curious about the hazards and ethical complexities of AI might find themselves wishing for a more critical examination of AI beyond the scope of employability.
Nevertheless, Open to Work achieves its goal of sparking an essential dialogue. This book is not so much a manual for AI technology but rather a survival guide for one's professional life during uncertain times.
April 28, 2026
Ryan Roslansky’s Open to Work: How to Get Ahead in the Age of AI is a timely career guide that blends LinkedIn’s real-time insights with practical strategies for thriving in a rapidly changing job market shaped by artificial intelligence.
The book argues that traditional career ladders and outdated advice no longer work. Instead, success in the AI era requires adaptability, human-centered skills, and a proactive mindset.
AI as a Partner, Not a Threat: Learn to delegate repetitive tasks to AI while focusing on creativity, empathy, and leadership.
Emphasizes the “Five Cs”-curiosity, courage, creativity, compassion, and communication-as irreplaceable human skills.
Instead of climbing a linear ladder, careers now resemble a “climbing wall,” requiring lateral moves, reskilling, and experimentation.
Includes a 30-60-90 day action plan for adapting to AI-driven changes in the workplace.
Profiles professionals like Neil (using AI to improve his job), Jonetta (landing a new role with AI), and Taj (building a business with AI).
Draws on insights from over 1 billion professionals worldwide, making it grounded in real trends.
Offers clear steps for reskilling, adapting, and staying competitive.
Encourages readers to embrace change rather than fear it.
Useful for students, mid-career professionals, and leaders navigating AI disruption.
Open to Work is both a roadmap and a rallying cry for professionals navigating the AI era. It’s not just about surviving disruption, it’s about harnessing it to build meaningful, resilient careers. For anyone feeling anxious about automation, this book reframes AI as an opportunity to amplify human strengths rather than replace them.
April 2, 2026
Open to Work arrives at precisely the right moment and with precisely the right tone. Ryan Roslansky and Aneesh Raman do not traffic in fear or empty optimism about AI and the future of work. Instead, they bring the rare advantage of real time data from over a billion professionals on LinkedIn and use it to ground every insight in what is actually happening rather than what we imagine might happen. The result is a book that feels authoritative without being aloof, and urgent without being alarmist.
What sets this book apart is how effectively it dismantles the old career playbook without leaving the reader stranded. The authors are clear eyed about the fact that most people are navigating this moment with outdated assumptions about skills, career ladders, and the staying power of what they learned in school. By replacing those assumptions with a practical framework built around human capabilities that no machine can replicate, they give the reader something genuinely useful to hold onto. The stories of real people like Neil, Jonetta, and Taj bring that framework to life in ways that feel honest and motivating rather than cherry picked or idealized.
The 30 60 90 day action plan at the heart of the book is where everything comes together. It transforms what could have been a thought provoking but passive reading experience into something the reader can act on immediately. That combination of sharp analysis, expert perspective, and concrete next steps is what makes Open to Work more than a book about AI. It is a career companion for anyone who wants to move through this moment with clarity and confidence rather than anxiety and hesitation.
What sets this book apart is how effectively it dismantles the old career playbook without leaving the reader stranded. The authors are clear eyed about the fact that most people are navigating this moment with outdated assumptions about skills, career ladders, and the staying power of what they learned in school. By replacing those assumptions with a practical framework built around human capabilities that no machine can replicate, they give the reader something genuinely useful to hold onto. The stories of real people like Neil, Jonetta, and Taj bring that framework to life in ways that feel honest and motivating rather than cherry picked or idealized.
The 30 60 90 day action plan at the heart of the book is where everything comes together. It transforms what could have been a thought provoking but passive reading experience into something the reader can act on immediately. That combination of sharp analysis, expert perspective, and concrete next steps is what makes Open to Work more than a book about AI. It is a career companion for anyone who wants to move through this moment with clarity and confidence rather than anxiety and hesitation.
April 21, 2026
How to Get Ahead in the Age of AI is quite an easy, practical read about navigating work in a world where AI is becoming more and more part of everyday life.
A big part of this felt like learning how to navigate change, and almost embracing it. It keeps coming back to the idea that it’s not success vs failure, it’s whether you take action or stay stuck. That mindset shift really stood out to me.
It’s clearly laid out into practical sections, not too wordy, and uses relatable real-life examples which makes it easy to get into and understand. I also liked the focus on soft skills, curiosity, creativity, courage, compassion, and communication, as the real human edge!
One chapter had a topic called career climbing wall as an idea also really landed for me. It feels much more realistic than a ladder, especially when careers aren’t linear and everyone’s path looks different. I think it just really pushed forward this narrative of the fact that we can and do adapt.
There are some practical bits too, like the 30-60-90 plan for using AI in your work, which felt useful without being overwhelming.
Overall, a solid, accessible read. A good one if you’re feeling unsure about AI or where it might fit in with work, or just trying to figure out how to move with the change rather than get left behind.
A big part of this felt like learning how to navigate change, and almost embracing it. It keeps coming back to the idea that it’s not success vs failure, it’s whether you take action or stay stuck. That mindset shift really stood out to me.
It’s clearly laid out into practical sections, not too wordy, and uses relatable real-life examples which makes it easy to get into and understand. I also liked the focus on soft skills, curiosity, creativity, courage, compassion, and communication, as the real human edge!
One chapter had a topic called career climbing wall as an idea also really landed for me. It feels much more realistic than a ladder, especially when careers aren’t linear and everyone’s path looks different. I think it just really pushed forward this narrative of the fact that we can and do adapt.
There are some practical bits too, like the 30-60-90 plan for using AI in your work, which felt useful without being overwhelming.
Overall, a solid, accessible read. A good one if you’re feeling unsure about AI or where it might fit in with work, or just trying to figure out how to move with the change rather than get left behind.
April 28, 2026
Open to Work by Ryan Roslansky and Aneesh Raman arrives at a moment when uncertainty around careers feels almost universal and it meets that anxiety with clarity rather than fear.
The book dismantles the comforting illusion of the traditional career ladder and replaces it with something far more fluid, and at times, unsettling. Instead of offering rigid formulas, the authors present a mindset shift: in a world shaped by AI, stability is no longer found in roles, but in adaptability.
This central idea is explored through sharp insights, real-world examples, and an underlying optimism that never feels naive.
What makes the book compelling is its refusal to treat AI as a looming threat. Instead, it reframes technology as a collaborator one that amplifies human potential when approached with curiosity rather than resistance.
The narrative consistently returns to the value of deeply human traits: creativity, emotional intelligence, and the ability to learn continuously. These are not presented as soft skills, but as essential survival tools in a rapidly evolving professional landscape.
The writing is direct and accessible, avoiding jargon while still engaging with complex ideas.The book is less of a step-by-step guide and more of a recalibration. It doesn’t promise certainty; instead, it equips you to move confidently through uncertainty.
The book dismantles the comforting illusion of the traditional career ladder and replaces it with something far more fluid, and at times, unsettling. Instead of offering rigid formulas, the authors present a mindset shift: in a world shaped by AI, stability is no longer found in roles, but in adaptability.
This central idea is explored through sharp insights, real-world examples, and an underlying optimism that never feels naive.
What makes the book compelling is its refusal to treat AI as a looming threat. Instead, it reframes technology as a collaborator one that amplifies human potential when approached with curiosity rather than resistance.
The narrative consistently returns to the value of deeply human traits: creativity, emotional intelligence, and the ability to learn continuously. These are not presented as soft skills, but as essential survival tools in a rapidly evolving professional landscape.
The writing is direct and accessible, avoiding jargon while still engaging with complex ideas.The book is less of a step-by-step guide and more of a recalibration. It doesn’t promise certainty; instead, it equips you to move confidently through uncertainty.
March 31, 2026
I don't usually read books about AI as it's changing too quickly. That said, I suggest this new release 'Open To Work', as it covers the important AI mindset shifts and moves to make in your career long-term. Not the latest buzzy AI updates or gimmicky short-term tactics.
It's still practical with exercises that help you start to move from discomfort to action when it comes to integrating AI into your profession.
For example, the 'three-bucket framework' is how you begin to embrace AI and protect your contributions at work by organizing all your tasks into three buckets: The tasks AI can do alone, the tasks you can do with AI, and the tasks only you can do. After doing so, it'll be easier to see where AI creates risks for you and where there's opportunities to use it to your advantage.
Another framework is 'three questions' prompting you to define your career as you adopt a new AI mindset. Thinking about *why* you work, *what* you uniquely do, and *where* you want to go. The point is to make this transition manageable as all careers will be nonlinear moving forward and it's essential you define what you're after in line with the market. You can't rely as heavily on the career trajectories defined by employers as we once did.
It's still practical with exercises that help you start to move from discomfort to action when it comes to integrating AI into your profession.
For example, the 'three-bucket framework' is how you begin to embrace AI and protect your contributions at work by organizing all your tasks into three buckets: The tasks AI can do alone, the tasks you can do with AI, and the tasks only you can do. After doing so, it'll be easier to see where AI creates risks for you and where there's opportunities to use it to your advantage.
Another framework is 'three questions' prompting you to define your career as you adopt a new AI mindset. Thinking about *why* you work, *what* you uniquely do, and *where* you want to go. The point is to make this transition manageable as all careers will be nonlinear moving forward and it's essential you define what you're after in line with the market. You can't rely as heavily on the career trajectories defined by employers as we once did.
April 20, 2026
Reading "Open to Work" feels like having a calm, thoughtful conversation with a friend who truly understands the chaos of modern work life. I mean, who hasn't felt that knot of stress when AI starts reshaping jobs overnight?
I breezed through it,it's not too long, super easy to read, and skips heavy business jargon for simple, clear language. Every idea clicks because it's backed by short, real-life stories from people's actual jobs, making it feel relatable instead of some theoretical read.
The book is built around a few big concepts, like the “5Cs” (curiosity, courage, creativity, compassion, and communication) and the idea that every job is just a collection of tasks some of which AI can handle, while others still need humans.
It doesn’t feel like a textbook, it reads more like a mix of advice, stories, and practical tips. The chapters are short and focused, so you can read one at a time and still feel you’ve learned something. There’s less rigid checklists and more on changing the way you think about your career.
Read Open to Work if you're worried about AI taking over jobs and want a simple, easy-to-follow guide to stay ahead, grow your skills, and feel more confident in your career.
I breezed through it,it's not too long, super easy to read, and skips heavy business jargon for simple, clear language. Every idea clicks because it's backed by short, real-life stories from people's actual jobs, making it feel relatable instead of some theoretical read.
The book is built around a few big concepts, like the “5Cs” (curiosity, courage, creativity, compassion, and communication) and the idea that every job is just a collection of tasks some of which AI can handle, while others still need humans.
It doesn’t feel like a textbook, it reads more like a mix of advice, stories, and practical tips. The chapters are short and focused, so you can read one at a time and still feel you’ve learned something. There’s less rigid checklists and more on changing the way you think about your career.
Read Open to Work if you're worried about AI taking over jobs and want a simple, easy-to-follow guide to stay ahead, grow your skills, and feel more confident in your career.
April 20, 2026
Open to Work is a timely and thought-provoking guide to navigating careers in the age of AI and constant change. Written by Ryan Roslansky and Aneesh Raman, the book explores how work, skills, and opportunities are evolving—and what we can do to stay relevant.
What stands out most is how the book shifts your mindset. It doesn’t treat jobs as fixed roles but as evolving tasks, encouraging readers to stay adaptable, curious, and open to learning. The idea that careers are no longer ladders but “climbing walls” is especially powerful and relatable in today’s fast-changing world.
The writing is simple and practical, making complex ideas about AI, innovation, and the future of work easy to understand. It’s not just about technology—it’s about people, growth, and finding your place in a changing economy.
What I liked this book:-
Fresh perspective on careers and job roles
Easy-to-understand insights on AI and future skills
Practical advice on staying adaptable
Encourages continuous learning and curiosity
Real-world relevance without being overwhelming
A smart, insightful read for anyone feeling uncertain about their career path. It gently reminds you that staying “open to work” is less about job searching and more about being open to growth, change, and new possibilities.
What stands out most is how the book shifts your mindset. It doesn’t treat jobs as fixed roles but as evolving tasks, encouraging readers to stay adaptable, curious, and open to learning. The idea that careers are no longer ladders but “climbing walls” is especially powerful and relatable in today’s fast-changing world.
The writing is simple and practical, making complex ideas about AI, innovation, and the future of work easy to understand. It’s not just about technology—it’s about people, growth, and finding your place in a changing economy.
What I liked this book:-
Fresh perspective on careers and job roles
Easy-to-understand insights on AI and future skills
Practical advice on staying adaptable
Encourages continuous learning and curiosity
Real-world relevance without being overwhelming
A smart, insightful read for anyone feeling uncertain about their career path. It gently reminds you that staying “open to work” is less about job searching and more about being open to growth, change, and new possibilities.
April 21, 2026
Ryan Roslansky and Aneesh Raman's book Open to Work is more of a contemporary mindset shift for managing the quickly changing workplace than it is a conventional career guide. The book replaces antiquated notions of linear career advancement with a more flexible, skills-first approach, based on real-time insights from LinkedIn's extensive professional network.
This book's pragmatism and clarity are what set it apart. Instead of relying on scary stories about AI, the writers portray it as a tool that when applied carefully may improve human potential. The idea that jobs are tasks, not titles is very potent, inspiring readers to reconsider their contributions and areas of value addition.
The Three-Bucket Framework which helps determine what tasks can be automated, enhanced or distinctively human is my favorite section of the book. When combined with the 30-60-90 day plan, which transforms introspection into tangible progress, it is both straightforward and highly implementable.
I suggest this book because it does more than just discuss change; it gives you the tools to make it happen. If you're unsure about AI and your profession, this book gives you the clarity and self-assurance you need to go purposefully.
This book's pragmatism and clarity are what set it apart. Instead of relying on scary stories about AI, the writers portray it as a tool that when applied carefully may improve human potential. The idea that jobs are tasks, not titles is very potent, inspiring readers to reconsider their contributions and areas of value addition.
The Three-Bucket Framework which helps determine what tasks can be automated, enhanced or distinctively human is my favorite section of the book. When combined with the 30-60-90 day plan, which transforms introspection into tangible progress, it is both straightforward and highly implementable.
I suggest this book because it does more than just discuss change; it gives you the tools to make it happen. If you're unsure about AI and your profession, this book gives you the clarity and self-assurance you need to go purposefully.
April 9, 2026
As an Information Systems student, I already felt "on board" with the AI shift, but Open to Work provided the strategic framework I needed to explain how to use it effectively in a professional setting. Roslansky and Raman avoid the extremes of blind optimism or paralyzing negativity, instead grounding the current AI movement in history.
The book's standout message for me was the idea of the "entrepreneurial mindset"—taking daily tasks and reimagining them to be more beneficial through AI. I’ve personally found success using AI as an "empathy mirror" to better understand perspectives in my communications at work.
One of the most powerful insights was how AI democratizes innovation. A real challenge today isn't just the existence of AI, but 'surfing' the overwhelming number of tools available to find what works. I've found that even if a specific tool doesn't meet my needs AI acts as a brainstorming partner to help me identify better alternatives. It bridges the gap between having an idea and finding the right tool to execute it.
Favorite Feature: The chapter-end summaries are excellent for reinforcing core concepts and making the advice actionable.
The book's standout message for me was the idea of the "entrepreneurial mindset"—taking daily tasks and reimagining them to be more beneficial through AI. I’ve personally found success using AI as an "empathy mirror" to better understand perspectives in my communications at work.
One of the most powerful insights was how AI democratizes innovation. A real challenge today isn't just the existence of AI, but 'surfing' the overwhelming number of tools available to find what works. I've found that even if a specific tool doesn't meet my needs AI acts as a brainstorming partner to help me identify better alternatives. It bridges the gap between having an idea and finding the right tool to execute it.
Favorite Feature: The chapter-end summaries are excellent for reinforcing core concepts and making the advice actionable.
April 21, 2026
look, it was fine. the first half started strong with what ai can and can't do, what human strengths remain relevant and some surprisingly concrete examples of past historical innovations and how society has adapted.
but i don't buy the book's argument about 'lost einsteins', and the advice on what to DO about this change in the second half of the book lacked any substance. there simply isn't enough need for as many 'lost einsteins' as number of people who will be displaced by AI. and not everyone is a 'lost einstein'. not everyone is entrepreneurial, self-driven, or wants to be. will the most creative survive, and possibly have new opportunities unlocked because they can outsource the drudgery to AI? yes, probably. but there are also a whole load of people who just want to clock into their job, get paid, and get home to their families. and (a point the book does admit) a whole generation who will get lost in the transition.
i had much higher hopes for this book than what it was able to deliver. seems even the largest holder of employment data doesn't have concrete advice for the average joes on what to do about the transition to AI.
but i don't buy the book's argument about 'lost einsteins', and the advice on what to DO about this change in the second half of the book lacked any substance. there simply isn't enough need for as many 'lost einsteins' as number of people who will be displaced by AI. and not everyone is a 'lost einstein'. not everyone is entrepreneurial, self-driven, or wants to be. will the most creative survive, and possibly have new opportunities unlocked because they can outsource the drudgery to AI? yes, probably. but there are also a whole load of people who just want to clock into their job, get paid, and get home to their families. and (a point the book does admit) a whole generation who will get lost in the transition.
i had much higher hopes for this book than what it was able to deliver. seems even the largest holder of employment data doesn't have concrete advice for the average joes on what to do about the transition to AI.
April 6, 2026
This book turned out to be less of a holiday read… and more of a mindset shift.
📚Over this Easter break, I picked up the newly released book “𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 - 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐈” by CEO Ryan Roslansky and Aneesh Raman of LinkedIn.
My 3 key takeaways:
1️⃣ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐤𝐞-𝐮𝐩 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 🚨:
"The explosion has happenned. The oxygen of old work is venting into space.The fear is real." But ...."Failure is not an option"
A powerful reminder that AI isn’t coming — it’s already here 🤖
The disruption is real, and so is the urgency to respond.
2️⃣ 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐬 🎯:
"Jobs are tasks, not titles"
The book introduces the Three-Bucket Framework, pushing us to rethink how we spend our time — focusing on what truly drives impact rather than clinging to traditional role definitions.
3️⃣ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 🧗:
"Careers are climbing wall, not ladders" - why, what, where.....
Growth today is non-linear. It’s about adaptability, continuous learning, and making moves — not just upward ones.
What I appreciated most is how the book shifts the narrative:
👉 Stop fearing the future
👉 Start shaping it with purpose
Highly recommended read 📚 Do grab a copy.
Now… bring on the office tomorrow 🚀
📚Over this Easter break, I picked up the newly released book “𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 - 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐈” by CEO Ryan Roslansky and Aneesh Raman of LinkedIn.
My 3 key takeaways:
1️⃣ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐤𝐞-𝐮𝐩 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 🚨:
"The explosion has happenned. The oxygen of old work is venting into space.The fear is real." But ...."Failure is not an option"
A powerful reminder that AI isn’t coming — it’s already here 🤖
The disruption is real, and so is the urgency to respond.
2️⃣ 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐬 🎯:
"Jobs are tasks, not titles"
The book introduces the Three-Bucket Framework, pushing us to rethink how we spend our time — focusing on what truly drives impact rather than clinging to traditional role definitions.
3️⃣ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 🧗:
"Careers are climbing wall, not ladders" - why, what, where.....
Growth today is non-linear. It’s about adaptability, continuous learning, and making moves — not just upward ones.
What I appreciated most is how the book shifts the narrative:
👉 Stop fearing the future
👉 Start shaping it with purpose
Highly recommended read 📚 Do grab a copy.
Now… bring on the office tomorrow 🚀
May 5, 2026
This book offers a clear, grounded perspective on how work is evolving in the age of rapidly advancing technology. Instead of leaning into fear or hype, it focuses on understanding the shift and finding your place within it.
What stood out to me is how balanced the approach feels. It acknowledges the changes happening around us, while also emphasizing the qualities that remain deeply human—things that can’t simply be replaced or automated. That lens makes the conversation feel empowering rather than overwhelming.
The ideas are presented in a way that’s easy to absorb, with a strong focus on adaptability and mindset. It’s not about drastic reinvention overnight, but about gradually building awareness and skills that align with where things are headed.
Insightful, practical, and reassuring in its tone, this is a helpful read for anyone trying to make sense of the changing work landscape without feeling lost in the noise.
May 4, 2026
Most of us are still using a 20th-century playbook for a 21st-century reality. We’ve been taught that a job title is an identity and that climbing a linear ladder is the only way up. Ryan Roslansky and Aneesh Raman (the leadership at LinkedIn) effectively blow that up. They argue that AI isn't coming for your job title—it’s coming for your tasks.
The book introduces a brilliant "three-bucket" framework to help you audit your own workflow: what to outsource to AI, what to augment with it, and what to double down on because it’s uniquely human. It’s a clear-eyed, data-backed guide that moves past the "AI is taking over" panic and gives you a 90-day action plan to become irreplaceable. If you feel like your skills have a shelf life, this book is the preservative. It’s not just about surviving the shift; it’s about finally figuring out how to do the work you were actually meant to do.
The book introduces a brilliant "three-bucket" framework to help you audit your own workflow: what to outsource to AI, what to augment with it, and what to double down on because it’s uniquely human. It’s a clear-eyed, data-backed guide that moves past the "AI is taking over" panic and gives you a 90-day action plan to become irreplaceable. If you feel like your skills have a shelf life, this book is the preservative. It’s not just about surviving the shift; it’s about finally figuring out how to do the work you were actually meant to do.
April 12, 2026
I spend a lot of time working with AI and thinking about what my job will become as a result of it, but I was expecting more from this book overall. It is presented as a guide on how to become resilient to the changes brought by AI.
What I appreciated: with all the doom and gloom about AI taking all our jobs, I found the take refreshing that we can do things to make ourselves AI proof.
What fell short: first, no one knows what the future will bring, or where the technology will go. Second, the practical steps mentioned are very basic (see what tasks can be automated and automated them). And third, I genuinely felt like I was reading a book written by AI: a lot of the sentence structures and the tone is what I now expect of LLMs, and I found it very distracting.
What I appreciated: with all the doom and gloom about AI taking all our jobs, I found the take refreshing that we can do things to make ourselves AI proof.
What fell short: first, no one knows what the future will bring, or where the technology will go. Second, the practical steps mentioned are very basic (see what tasks can be automated and automated them). And third, I genuinely felt like I was reading a book written by AI: a lot of the sentence structures and the tone is what I now expect of LLMs, and I found it very distracting.
April 13, 2026
Aside from the fact that this book promotes LinkedIn services like crazy, the book actually gives good examples of how to transform your career and incorporate AI while doing it. It also promotes several AI related start ups and key educational institutions. Although, whether or not those institutions will be beneficial to the reader is up in the air. I guess it depends on where the reader is located. Particularly, within the USA.
NOT THE WORSE CAREER BOOK I’VE COME ACROSS, BUT CERTAINLY NOT THE BEST EITHER. I will say however, this is the first AI related book I’ve read that doesn’t paint AI in a doom and gloom context. That my friends, is a huge plus.
NOT THE WORSE CAREER BOOK I’VE COME ACROSS, BUT CERTAINLY NOT THE BEST EITHER. I will say however, this is the first AI related book I’ve read that doesn’t paint AI in a doom and gloom context. That my friends, is a huge plus.
April 10, 2026
It's an ad.
It paints this false dichotomy that either AI is really important/disruptive and you are scared of it, or that it's really important/disruptive and you love it. It doesn't have any nuance or talk at any length about its limitations.
It constantly compares AI to electricity and makes unhelpful comparisons. Throughout the book it goes through history discussing other fields and bios, which is interesting enough for a star, but then it just descends into an ad about LinkedIn's new AI features.
It paints this false dichotomy that either AI is really important/disruptive and you are scared of it, or that it's really important/disruptive and you love it. It doesn't have any nuance or talk at any length about its limitations.
It constantly compares AI to electricity and makes unhelpful comparisons. Throughout the book it goes through history discussing other fields and bios, which is interesting enough for a star, but then it just descends into an ad about LinkedIn's new AI features.
May 2, 2026
The book provided interesting insights on how AI changes the way we work and how we must adapt to it. It's also good that it provided specific exercises to help readers work on adapting to this change. However, I find that some parts were repetitive. Additionally, it sometimes feel like an AI promotion, disregarding the ethical issues and grossly missing the point of the danger of prime reliance on AI. I wish they touched more on this, but I guess this book is mostly about getting ahead in the rat race and less about making the job market better for everyone.
May 3, 2026
The advice the book provides can be very useful in emphasizing the (human) qualities and traits that will be appreciated more in the age of AI, such as creativity and compassion.
However, this book is definitely geared only towards white-collar jobs, as the platform LinkedIn itself is geared towards, so I find that it does not provide further or sufficient insight into how work in general would be affected. This book would help people climb to or stay on the top 5%, but it does not provide enough support or consideration for the remainder 95%.
However, this book is definitely geared only towards white-collar jobs, as the platform LinkedIn itself is geared towards, so I find that it does not provide further or sufficient insight into how work in general would be affected. This book would help people climb to or stay on the top 5%, but it does not provide enough support or consideration for the remainder 95%.
May 14, 2026
This book was awful. I tried to keep an open mind but it was terrible. The main point is to be entrepreneurial about your work and leverage AI to help you do that. Anyone that has worked an honest days work knows that the last thing employers want you to do is to be entrepreneurial on the clock. Companies aren’t interested in human skills they’re interested in productivity and profit. And if they’re telling you that they don’t they’re lying. Basically this book
Is a giant crock of shit.
Is a giant crock of shit.
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