Few forces are reshaping the world of work as profoundly - or as unpredictably - as artificial intelligence. For young people preparing to enter the financial sector, the pace of change can feel both exhilarating and unsettling. Roles are shifting, expectations are rising, and the gap between technological capability and human readiness is widening.

For Rob Garlick, author of AI: Anarchy or Abundance? and former global head of innovation and future of work research at Citi - this moment in time demands clarity, urgency, and above all, leadership. His conversation with Oli Harrison on From Education to Finance (E2F) is a reminder that the future of finance will be shaped not only by algorithms, but by the choices humans make about skills, values, and opportunity.

A Career at the Frontier of Technological Change

Rob has spent three decades at the intersection of finance, technology, and human behaviour. Before his 20‑year career at Citi, he was a fund manager; today, he advises CEOs, policymakers, and students on the implications of AI. He has watched multiple technological revolutions unfold, but believes this one is fundamentally different. “The exponential change is happening so quickly,” he says, “and I don’t think people understand quite what’s coming.” His book is both a warning and a roadmap: a call to steer society away from the risks of AI‑driven disruption and towards a future where technology expands human potential rather than erodes it.

At the heart of his work is a stark contrast between two possible futures. One is defined by instability, job displacement, political tension, and widening inequality - the “anarchy” scenario. The other is a world of abundance, where productivity gains translate into new possibilities and higher living standards. Rob is optimistic in the long term, but candid about the turbulence ahead. He worries that joblessness will rise before new roles emerge, that politicians will struggle to keep pace, and that public scepticism will grow. A recent King’s College survey illustrates the mood: only 24% of UK respondents believe AI will be positive for humanity, while 22% fear it could lead to civil unrest. These are not fringe anxieties; they are mainstream concerns.

Part of the challenge, Rob argues, is that our economic and political systems are not aligned. Capitalism rewards profitability; democracy prioritises collective wellbeing. AI amplifies the tension between the two. “We need to find the right equilibrium between being pro‑profitability and being pro‑human,” he says. “We will find it - but there will be tension along the way.”

Education as the Antidote to Automation

For Rob, education is the most powerful tool we have to navigate this transition. “Education is the antidote to automation,” he says. Yet despite the rhetoric around lifelong learning, investment in people has been declining for decades. He even worries that companies may end up “training AI agents more than they train humans.” For young people, this means one thing: they must take ownership of their own learning. Most development happens on the job, and the single most important factor is the quality of your manager. “Find someone who wants to grow you,” he advises. “A good manager is critical.”

He also emphasises the importance of human skills - empathy, communication, creativity, judgement - the capabilities machines cannot master and which will define competitive advantage in the years ahead. And he is keen to remind students that finance is far broader than they might imagine. “You think of banking or investing,” he says, “but actually there’s a plethora of roles - legal, technology, HR, marketing, and so on.” A finance career is not limited to those with finance degrees, nor is it static. Technology has already transformed entire functions - equity trading, for example, employs 80% fewer people than it did in 2000 - but new opportunities have emerged in their place.

The key, Rob argues, is to stay open to where the next door might lead. “One door leads to another,” he says. “We need to open enough doors for young people to get onto the career ladder - and once you’re there, keep finding doors to open.”

When Rob speaks at universities, the off‑the‑record conversations reveal two dominant concerns: whether there will be enough jobs, and whether AI will make work better or worse. He encourages students to recognise their agency - to write to politicians, demand action, and push for policies that support reskilling, job creation, and responsible AI deployment. He also sees AI as a chance to reset the world of work. “AI gives us the chance to create better jobs,” he says. “Less mundane work. More meaningful work. But only if we choose to use it that way.”

A Pro‑Human Future

Rob’s advice for educators is clear: lean into AI rather than resist it; teach human skills; and embrace lifelong learning through flexible, modular programmes. For financial institutions, his message is equally direct: seek diversity of thought, value proactivity and positive energy, and look for problem solvers rather than people who simply admire problems.

He ends with a story about Albert Einstein. In his final public act, Einstein urged “remember your humanity and forget the rest” - a plea made in the shadow of nuclear technology. Rob believes AI presents a crossroads. “AI can power us or it can harm us,” he says. “We need pro‑human leadership. We need to grow profits and grow people.” His optimism comes from the belief that we can make work more meaningful, more human, and more fulfilling - if we choose to.

For E2F, Rob Garlick is a vital voice: clear‑eyed about the risks, passionate about the opportunities, and deeply committed to helping young people navigate a world where technology is rewriting the rules of work.

To find out more about the E2F video podcast and get involved contact: oliharrison@financialmarketinginsights.com