AI News: the future of work we're not ready for

In this AI News episode, Dan and Ray explore the fast-moving reality of AI in the workplace - and why many of us might not be as prepared as we think.

They unpack a striking story of a KPMG partner fined for using AI to cheat on an AI ethics course, raising questions about assessment, responsibility, and what "cheating" even means in an AI-enabled world.

The conversation then shifts to a growing trend: organisations and universities rolling out AI tools like Copilot at scale, and what this means for equity, productivity, and expectations in the workplace.

Dan and Ray also dive into new research from Anthropic on the future of work, highlighting which roles are most exposed to AI disruption - and why knowledge work may change more than hands-on professions. They explore the idea that the real shift isn't job loss, but job transformation.

Finally, they tackle bold claims from industry leaders that office roles could be automated within 12–18 months, debating what's hype versus reality.

This episode challenges a simple narrative: AI isn't just replacing work - it's redefining what valuable work looks like.

Links to discussions in the podcast:

KPMG partner fined for using artificial intelligence to cheat in AI training test
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/feb/16/kpmg-partner-fined-artificial-intelligence-ai-training-test

Aston University is first Midlands University to provide all staff with Microsoft 365 Copilot and Copilot Chat for Students
https://www.aston.ac.uk/latest-news/aston-university-first-midlands-university-provide-all-staff-microsoft-365-copilot-and

NY Times: Who's a Better Writer: A.I. or Humans? Take Our Quiz.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/03/09/business/ai-writing-quiz.html 

Anthropic and US Government
https://www.anthropic.com/news/statement-department-of-war

Anthropic future of labour report
https://www.anthropic.com/research/labor-market-impacts

AI Exposure of the Australian & US Job Market
AUS: https://0xtreme.github.io/aus-jobs/ 
US: https://joshkale.github.io/jobs/  

Anthropic Education Report - AI Fluency index
https://www.anthropic.com/research/AI-fluency-index

The end of office workers as we know it?
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/microsoft-ai-ceo-mustafa-suleyman-issues-18-month-warning-for-office-workers/ar-AA1WvXMi?ocid=entnewsntp&pc=U531&cvid=69957afbd4c747f08d77afaead77499c&ei=56