Kevin is the father of the Virtual Assistant and a Silicon Valley innovator, serial entrepreneur, CEO, and futurist. He was INC Magazines’ Entrepreneur of the Year, a CNBC top Innovator of the Decade, World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer, Chair of Silicon Valley Forum, Planet Forward Innovator of the Year nominee, featured for 5 years on TechTV’s Silicon Spin, and inducted into RIT’s Innovation Hall of Fame. He has 94 worldwide patents and led pioneering work on the first cellular data smartphone (AirCommunicator), the first human-like AI virtual assistant (Portico), soundproof drywall, high R-value windows, AI-driven building management, Generative AI for QA automation, supply-chain auctions, and the window/energy retrofits of the Empire State Building and NY Stock Exchange. His upcoming book titled The Joy Success Cycle changes the way people act and think every day, leading to more fulfilment and life success.
In this thought-provoking episode of Embracing Digital Transformation, host Dr. Darren Pulsipher is joined by AI pioneer Kevin Surace to explore a critical yet often overlooked consequence of rapid technological advancement: the loss of human skills and tribal knowledge in the age of AI and automation. As we embrace unprecedented convenience powered by generative AI, robotics, and intelligent automation, we must ask—what are we giving up in return? From administrative acumen and strategic thinking to hands-on mechanical expertise, foundational skills are becoming increasingly scarce. But is this a crisis… or an opportunity? Discover how organizations, educators, and individuals must urgently navigate the shifting landscape, close the rapidly growing skills gap, and build a future-ready workforce that blends human intuition with machine intelligence. ## Takeaways ⚠️ Tribal Knowledge Is Rapidly Disappearing Experienced workers hold deep institutional memory that isn’t being transferred as automation replaces routine roles. 🧠 Not Everyone Can Think Strategically While AI elevates knowledge work, it risks leaving behind those who thrive on hands-on or tactical tasks. 🧑🏭 Entry-Level Jobs Are at Risk GenAI tools now outperform junior talent in many fields, creating a barrier to workforce development and mentorship. 🧰 Skilled Trades Are More Valuable Than Ever Plumbers, electricians, HVAC techs, and repair professionals are in high demand—and not easily replaced by robots. 🤖 AI Is Creating Entirely New Industries The rise of humanoid robotics will birth trillion-dollar markets in maintenance, programming, and integration. 🔄 We Need to Rethink Training & Education Blending digital literacy with traditional hands-on skills is not just an option, but a necessity to prepare the next generation for meaningful work in the digital age. 💡 Human Intuition Remains Irreplaceable AI lacks the problem-solving instincts and contextual understanding that humans bring to complex, real-world tasks. 🌍 Long-Term Thinking Is Critical Short-term profits must be balanced with workforce sustainability to avoid deepening the skills gap.