Artificial intelligence isn't just changing a few tech companies anymore. According to Goldman Sachs (GS) CEO David Solomon, it's becoming the central obsession of business leaders everywhere.
Speaking with CNBC last month, Solomon delivered a pretty striking observation: he can't find a single CEO who isn't laser-focused on reimagining their business processes through automation. Not in tech, not in finance, not anywhere. Every executive conversation apparently circles back to the same question: how can we automate this faster?
Why This Wave Feels Different
Solomon acknowledged that technology has been reshaping employment for decades, but there's something distinct about this moment. The current transformation is arriving faster than earlier workplace transitions, and executives are responding with unusual urgency. They're not just experimenting cautiously—they're actively evaluating how AI systems can handle functions that traditionally required entire teams.
The shift extends well beyond Silicon Valley. Retailers, manufacturers, logistics operations, and financial institutions are all pouring resources into automation tools as competitive pressures and speed demands intensify. What stands out to Solomon is the velocity—how rapidly organizations are actually implementing this technology rather than just talking about it.
"I can't find a CEO that I'm talking to, in any industry, that is not focused on how they can reimagine and automate processes in their business to create operating efficiency and productivity," Solomon said. Automation has become a strategic priority because businesses need faster, more efficient operations to compete.
Goldman's Engineering Army
Solomon pointed to his own firm as a case study in workforce transformation. Twenty-five years ago, Goldman Sachs didn't have a substantial engineering workforce. Today, roughly 13,000 engineers work on software platforms, trading technology, and digital services throughout the organization. That's a complete restructuring of what a financial institution looks like under the hood.
According to Solomon, this evolution demonstrates how roles shift when firms adopt new systems. Tasks don't disappear so much as transform into different types of work that support automated tools and digital infrastructure.
"At the end of the day, we have an incredibly flexible, nimble economy. We have a great ability to adapt and adjust," Solomon told CNBC. He's optimistic about how the transition will play out, emphasizing that while some responsibilities may shift, long-term investment should increase. Taking a multiyear perspective, Solomon believes automation will actually expand business capacity rather than simply cutting jobs.
The Broader CEO Consensus
Solomon isn't alone in this assessment. Microsoft (MSFT) CEO Satya Nadella addressed similar themes in the company's shareholder letter published last month, describing an "AI platform shift" that's fundamentally changing how work is organized and how employees interact with advanced tools. Nadella emphasized that managing this change will be critical as productivity increases and organizations deploy new technology across their operations.
Nvidia (NVDA) CEO Jensen Huang went even further in his characterization, telling Fox News last month that AI represents the beginning of a new "industrial revolution"—something on par with the steam engine or electrification eras that completely restructured economic activity.
Building on these perspectives, Solomon maintains that the economy will continue adapting as companies integrate AI and employees take on different responsibilities. Although transitions can be difficult, he said companies are learning how to adjust as they test new workflows.
"If you take a three- to five-year view, it's giving us more capacity to invest in our business," he told CNBC. That's the bet executives are making: short-term disruption in exchange for expanded capabilities and productivity gains that compound over time.