In a recent LinkedIn post, Jason Averbook discusses a fundamental shift in how businesses are adapting to new technologies, arguing that the operating model has already evolved, even if many leaders haven’t noticed. He contends that the real transformation is happening not through user-facing applications like ChatGPT, but through underlying infrastructure, APIs, and workflow decisions.
Averbook highlights the discrepancy between the adoption of AI tools and the integration of their underlying technology. He shares a striking statistic from recent reports by OpenAI and NTT DATA, stating:
People using ChatGPT as a tool is up 8X while people building using API’s to access ChatGPT is up 320X.
This data point, Averbook explains, is central to his argument that the focus needs to shift from simply using new tools to redesigning the very fabric of how work is done. He emphasizes that this is less about a technological opportunity and more about a strategic approach to work design.
Rethinking the Role of Leadership
According to Jason Averbook, the implications of this shift place HR departments and executives in a new and critical position. Their role is no longer primarily about managing change, but about actively architecting the future of work itself. This involves understanding and leveraging the foundational elements that enable new ways of operating.
Averbook elaborates on this point, suggesting that leaders must move beyond superficial adoption of new technologies. He notes:
This isn’t a technology opportunity, it’s a work design one.
This perspective challenges traditional change management paradigms. Instead of reacting to technological advancements, leaders are tasked with proactively shaping the environment in which these advancements can be most effectively integrated and utilized.
The Urgency of Adaptation
In his post, Jason Averbook conveys a sense of urgency, suggesting that while no one is definitively “behind” yet, remaining stagnant is a conscious choice. The rapid development and integration of new technologies, particularly those powered by APIs, indicate that the landscape of work is continuously being reshaped.
He further elaborates on the nature of this evolution:
Most leaders think they’re preparing for a new operating model, they’re not. It already changed!
Averbook’s insights, shared via his Now to Next podcast, urge business leaders to recognize that the foundational changes are already in motion. The key to future success, as he outlines, lies in understanding and actively participating in the architectural redesign of work, rather than merely adopting the latest user-friendly interfaces.
The core message is clear: the true revolution in the workplace is occurring beneath the surface, driven by infrastructure and how work is designed, not just the tools people use. Leaders who fail to grasp this distinction risk being left behind by a paradigm shift that is already underway.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Jason Averbook on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on December 17, 2025 | View original post on LinkedIn →