“As theorists ponder and skeptics fret about the future of AI, this book offers something else: AI in action. Showcasing a sense of urgency and a breadth of expertise, The Five-Year Century tells a compelling story about how workers and organizations can harness AI. The result is a thoughtful and vivid illustration of what’s holding humanity back―and how, on a practical level, AI can help humans keep driving progress.”
―Fareed Zakaria, CNN host and bestselling author of Age of Revolutions
“This book gives you the confidence, playbook, and urgency to succeed in the AI economy; but it should also make you angry because trillions spent on digital transformation has made little impact on most industries or jobs over the last three decades. The AI era must be different: leaders must own the human-technology interface and drive business outcomes every day. Nancy and Mihir demystify how to get there without Silicon Valley jargon… they can help you on your journey.”
―Jeff Immelt, former Chairman and CEO of GE
“The world is going to be turned upside down in the next five years by technology. According to Shukla and Hauge, this isn’t a threat; it’s the opportunity of a lifetime. In this wonderful, brisk book they lay out how we all need to adapt―from organizations becoming more like beehives, to people becoming more like quarterbacks. Read it soon, because change is coming fast.”
―Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic and author of “The Running Ground”
“Evidence-based, practical and pragmatic, this book is an important tool for realizing the potential for AI to dramatically change the way we work. It’s about rethinking the fundamentals with liberation, not fear.”
―Patty McCord, former chief talent officer for Netflix and author of Powerful: Building a Culture of Freedom and Responsibility
“The Five-Year Century is a refreshing and optimistic take on how humanity can emerge stronger in the face of technological upheaval. Shukla and Hauge show us why AI will force us to rethink management itself. Engaging, provocative, and ultimately uplifting.”
―Ujwal Kayande, PhD, Professor & Director of the Institute for Digital Innovation & AI, Melbourne Business School
The next five years will deliver a century’s worth of disruption. When traditional levers of economic growth break down, bold leadership is necessary to reshape the future of work before it’s too late.
The incredible collision of forces brought by global demographic decline, productivity stagnation, and the rise of AI are driving change at a pace that rivals any in modern history. As workforces shrink and legacy operating models strain under their own complexity, organizations face an adapt-or-die moment. Silicon Valley veterans Mihir Shukla, Chairman and CEO of Automation Anywhere, one of the world’s leading AI and agentic automation companies, and Nancy Hauge, an award-winning Chief People Experience Officer, combine decades of experience to give today’s leaders battle-tested frameworks for delivering accelerated outcomes.
Through vivid, unexpected case studies―ranging from the unsung heroes of enterprise tax departments to NFL quarterbacks who model how to work with AI agents―Shukla and Hauge teach readers how to break free from Industrial Age illusions, recognize inflection points early, and act decisively while others hesitate.
Drawing on a combination of history and fresh case studies from transformations inside the world’s largest organizations, the authors provide clear strategies for building AI-first operating models, cultivating trust-based cultures, and unleashing the skills development required to enable human–machine collaboration at scale.
Written with the practicality and optimism that speaks directly to CEOs and boards driving enterprise transformation, CIOs and AI officers accountable for value realization, managers redesigning day-to-day workflows, and consultants guiding organizations through technological disruption, The Five-Year Century delivers the strategic clarity that leaders urgently need. Business school faculty, policymakers, and AI evangelists shaping the future of work will find an essential blueprint for why traditional approaches fail―and what must replace them.
From the Back Cover
PRAISE FORThe Five-Year Century
“As theorists ponder and skeptics fret about the future of AI, this book offers something else: AI in action. Showcasing a sense of urgency and a breadth of expertise, The Five-Year Century tells a compelling story about how workers and organizations can harness AI. The result is a thoughtful and vivid illustration of what’s holding humanity back―and how, on a practical level, AI can help humans keep driving progress.”
―FAREED ZAKARIA, CNN host and New York Times bestselling author of Age of Revolutions
“This book gives you the confidence, playbook, and urgency to succeed in the AI economy; but it should also make you angry because trillions spent on digital transformation has made little impact on most industries or jobs over the last three decades. The AI era must be different: leaders must own the human-technology interface and drive business outcomes every day. Nancy and Mihir demystify how to get there without Silicon Valley jargon… they can help you on your journey.”
―JEFF IMMELT, former Chairman and CEO of GE
“Evidence-based, practical and pragmatic, this book is an important tool for realizing the potential for AI to dramatically change the way we work. It’s about rethinking the fundamentals with liberation, not fear.”
―PATTY MCCORD,former Chief Talent Officer for Netflix andauthor of Powerful: Building a Culture of Freedom and Responsibility
“The world is going to be turned upside down in the next five years by technology. According to Shukla and Hauge, this isn’t a threat; it’s the opportunity of a lifetime. In this wonderful, brisk book they lay out how we all need to adapt―from organizations becoming more like beehives, to people becoming more like quarterbacks. Read it soon, because change is coming fast.”
―NICHOLAS THOMPSON, CEO of The Atlantic and author of The Running Ground
About the Author
MIHIR SHUKLA is the Chairman and CEO of Automation Anywhere, one of the world’s leading AI and agentic automation companies that partners with the world’s largest enterprises across financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and beyond to drive AI transformation. Under his leadership, Automation Anywhere has achieved rapid global growth and earned widespread recognition for its groundbreaking technology and customer-first approaches. A highly regarded speaker and advisor, Mihir works with boards, CEOs, policymakers, and public-sector leaders around the world on the strategic adoption of AI and the future of work.
NANCY HAUGE is Chief People Experience Officer at Automation Anywhere and the first-ever winner of HRO Today’s CHRO of the Year Innovation Award in 2023. A Silicon Valley veteran with over 30 years of leadership experience across seven IPOs and five acquisitions, her workplace transformation approaches have saved 24,000 manual hours and achieved 80% reduction in processing times for her current team alone. She has served on boards for Holy Names College and Cameron School of Business at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
Wow! eBook
