Leading venture capital investors delivered a message of opportunity and adaptability to 鶹 students during "AI and the Future of Work," a special event hosted by the School of Business through Mercy's Global Initiative on Sustainability and Resilience. Ian Sigalow, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Greycroft, and Iyanna Halilou, General Partner and Leader at The MBA Fund, engaged with students on artificial intelligence's workplace impact, emphasizing human skills' enduring value in an AI-driven economy.
Before the event, Sigalow touched on AI's constructive influence in software development. "Most companies have not reduced their number of developers; they're just using AI as a copilot and that's resulting in faster code production. AI's really good at that, so I think it frees people up to be more creative in the profession.”
Moderator Victor Petenkemani, dean of the School of Business at Mercy, asked the panelists what skills they thought would remain unaffected by AI. “The soft skills,” answered Halilou. “When you are looking for a job, you know machines can help you write cover letters,” she continued, “But ultimately the way you respond to challenges [and your] ability to be flexible and roll with the punches is really what separates success.”
The conversation tackled student concerns about AI displacement. "I understand that people are worried,” Halilou acknowledged. “But I believe that as humans, we’re able to reinvent ourselves and build new skills, especially as we’re building these new technologies.” She continued, “We are creating new opportunities which will create a new class of jobs that we didn’t even know existed.”
Both investors emphasized workplace strategies for the AI era. Sigalow advised students to prioritize in-person work opportunities, both internships and post-graduation, over remote positions. “To the extent that you have the opportunity, opt for the in-person thing, for sure,” he advised. “I think that these skills that separate humans from machines are the communications and personal skills and the soft skills, like how to talk to people and become a leader.” He added, “If you invest in those skills, you will find a lot of opportunity.”
Halilou noted AI's growing influence in venture capital: "I think 99% of the companies we get pitched are somewhat AI, so we can’t really avoid it.”
Sigalow also gave the students career advice. He told students, “There are no mistakes. Honestly, in your twenties? Zero mistakes,” He continued, “You want to start a company? Start a company. It doesn’t work? Shut it down and start something else. You know the U.S. market does not punish people for making career mistakes, and too few people take enough risks in their twenties and even in their thirties."