A Reflection on the Coming Wave

We are nearing the end of what is shaping up to be a truly remarkable year. The year 2025 has brought a sea of change, particularly here in the West, but arguably across the world. From the mounting geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and the rapid proliferation of new technologies that seek to fundamentally change the way we work, the way we play, and the way we connect, there is only one word that truly embodies the unique character of the year: disruptive. Granted, these forces of change are nothing new; modern history offers many moments of uncertainty. Yet 2025 certainly feels different.

Political alliances that once seemed immovable have fractured. International development frameworks and institutions are being dismantled. In the United States, many citizens feel that long-standing constitutional rights and legal protections no longer carry the weight they once did. What makes this moment remarkable is not simply the scale of change but the speed of it. In a matter of months—sometimes weeks or even days—political alignments have shifted, democratic norms have wavered, and global governance structures have been shaken.

Yet even this pale in comparison to the “coming wave” of disruption that artificial intelligence—particularly generative AI—will unleash on one of the most vulnerable segments of society: the workforce.  The Coming Wave—the New York Times bestseller featured in our Good Reads Corner—captures this moment with a compelling viewpoint. Written by Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI and co-founder of DeepMind, the book is remarkable not only for its clarity but because it comes from someone who helped build the very technologies he warns about. The book is thoughtful in its characterization of the nature of this coming wave- the rapid acceleration of AI, the historical precedents of technological upheaval, and the urgent need for what he calls “containment”—a framework for managing risks while preserving the transformative benefits of these innovations.

Learning From Disruption: COVID-19 as a Blueprint

The COVID-19 pandemic stands as a recent example of global-scale disruption that, in many ways, mirrors the magnitude of change we are experiencing now. But it also serves as a blueprint for how societies can respond. Barring a few notable backlashes (read anti-vaxxers), the global response to COVID 19 was truly remarkable. Within months, nations converged on a shared set of containment strategies—quarantines, social distancing, and vaccination. Governments mobilized vast social protection programs to support those unable to work. While imperfect, the response demonstrated what is possible when the world collectively prioritizes human life and acts with urgency.

AI’s coming disruption, however, is different in one crucial way: the impact will be uneven. Whereas COVID-19 affected people across socioeconomic lines, the next wave threatens to widen existing inequalities. Workers without the skills, protections, or institutional support to adapt may bear the brunt of the transformation. That is precisely why labor rights and social protections must be at the center of today’s policy debates. Ordinary citizens, worker advocates, and labor organizations must be the loudest voices in shaping the rules that govern this transition.

Making Sense of Today’s Headlines

In our Headlines corner try to make sense of recent headlines to assess whether the ongoing wave of layoffs is truly driven by AI or reflects broader competitive pressures—such as tariff wars, reduced profitability, and macroeconomic uncertainty, or the growing debate around a possible AI market bubble. Drawing from historical parallels—from the dot-com crash to the 2008 financial crisis—we explore whether current investment patterns are inflating an AI market bubble and what the implications could be for the broader economy.  

Regardless of where one stands—whether convinced an AI bubble is forming or persuaded that AI will displace vast numbers of jobs—the truth is that the future of technological change inevitably brings uncertainty. We must do the hard work of building consensus now: strengthening labor protections, investing in upskilling, and ensuring robust social safety nets before the divide widens. Our future prosperity—and our social stability—depend on it. This commitment drives our mission. We delve deeper into our organization’s work to safeguard workers’ rights in the digital age and explore a foundational question: Is work a human right?

Our Purpose Going Forward

This newsletter seeks to make sense of the conversations dominating today’s headlines and to provide a clear grounding in our organization’s perspective. As our advocacy deepens, our focus will increasingly shift toward concrete policy solutions—those capable of guiding the coming technological transformation in a direction that supports workers, strengthens communities, and upholds human dignity. The coming wave is already upon us. Our responsibility is to shape it.