Since the creation of the organizational chart in the 1850s, the structure of companies has remained largely unchanged, with a hierarchical system and multiple layers of managers and decision makers. This is due to the limitations of human intelligence and attention in managing and controlling work processes. However, the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionize this traditional model.
In recent years, AI has primarily been used as an individual assistant, but in 2025, we will see the first organizations built around the collaboration between humans and AI. This represents a fundamental shift in how businesses and institutions are structured and operated. While the integration of AI into our daily lives has happened rapidly, organizations have yet to fully harness its potential. However, 2025 will mark a turning point where AI becomes a core component of organizational design and strategy.
Forward-thinking companies will begin to reimagine their entire structure, processes, and culture around the symbiotic relationship between humans and AI. This goes beyond simply automating tasks or enhancing human capabilities; it involves creating entirely new ways of working that leverage the unique strengths of both humans and AI. The key to unlocking the full potential of AI lies in moving beyond individual use cases to organizational-level integration.
Startups are already leading the way in this shift, with many promising to maintain lean teams and relying on AI to scale their operations. However, the benefits of this approach may be even greater for larger, established organizations. These companies have the potential to use AI to eliminate inefficiencies, tap into the collective intelligence of their workforce, and unlock new growth opportunities.
In 2025, we will see a surge in “AI-native” startups that build their entire operational model around human-AI collaboration. These companies will be characterized by small, highly skilled human teams working in tandem with sophisticated AI systems to achieve outputs that rival those of much larger traditional organizations.
For larger companies, the journey towards becoming an AI-integrated organization will be more complex but potentially more rewarding. It will require significant research and development efforts to understand how to best leverage AI within their specific context. This process will reveal a new era of organizational design, where humans and AI work together to drive innovation and success.