AI is changing the shape of how organisations are staffed.
The traditional shape is a pyramid.
Leaders at the top. Their reports below. A hierarchy of workers making up a growing base.
But AI is (maybe) decoupling time from output. You can produce the same or more without adding people.
That turns a pyramid into more of an obelisk.
Few leaders. And a slimmer working core.
Then you have the point.
Newer firms don’t need to hire to grow in the way they did a decade ago. They may stay small, a few core contributors delivering outsize value.
The one that people are worried about is the diamond, where you still have leaders at the top and an experienced middle, but the base tapers to a point.
Companies stop hiring junior talent, or hire fewer juniors – expecting AI to take over these jobs.
It’s early days. I think we can see the obelisk and point shaped organisations springing up around us. The diamond – less sure about that. But we’ll see what happens over time.
Are there any other shapes you’ve come across?
Handcrafted insight 