Businesswoman Chapter 2

Sunlight spilled onto the table. A pitcher of glass stood next to the telecom system. Loreen looked at the CEO, COO, CTO, and CFO.

“None of you have graduated high school. Usually it’s the college dropout crowd. This makes it interesting. Anyway, don’t run from learned machines and artificial intelligence. We must remember, there is no substitute for human intelligence.” Loreen lowered her voice in reverence, in solemnity.

The young CEO, Maggie Jones, only twenty-two, spoke quickly and sharply. “Okay,” she said. “We’ve got the idea of AI and machines. We’re having trouble with the amount of businesses rushing to beat us.”

Loreen stood proud. “It’s not trouble but a test of reality. You have every opportunity to become a great company, maybe worth trillions. Since you are adept with the changes, just remember there will be no baristas in fifty years. There may not be engineers in sixty years. We will have to embrace these truths,” she intoned.

COO Patrick Goff scoffed. “I don’t know. We have seventy engineers who could do a much better job than something not real. I get what you’re saying, but we have to remember the jobs of these people.”

Loreen sighed. “Of course we must uplift the human element with all of this discussion of replacing or enhancing the experience of work. As the c-suite, you all are tasked with being committed to making as much money as possible. The future should always give us hope.”

An audible grumbling reverberated around the room.

Loreen then started writing something with a stylus on a tablet. The number on the device showed 2070.

“What’s that?” Maggie asked incredulously.

“This is the year where your business succumbs if you continue on this course.”

Silence felt like ice in the room.

“Let’s get busy,” Loreen Breen announced.