Unlock the Future: 5 Shocking Startup Scenarios You Won't Believe Are Coming by 2028!

The buzz is palpable at The Ken's office as the team prepares for the inaugural Zero Shot event at the Bangalore International Centre. Scheduled for tomorrow, this gathering will delve into twelve intriguing scenarios exploring the impact of mainstream agentic AI on the e-commerce sector. Amidst the excitement, the team has also rolled out live polls and interactions through their mobile app, enhancing the engagement for attendees.

For those attending, it’s a perfect opportunity to connect with familiar faces from The Ken’s newsroom. If you happen to be in Bengaluru and haven’t secured your ticket yet, time is running out, as availability is dwindling.

As the preparations unfold, my recent explorations into the implications of AI have led me to ponder the future of startups. With agentic AI poised to become mainstream, what changes might we witness in not just business models, but also the workforce within these companies?

What will happen to different roles? Who will rise, and who will fall out of favor? In a landscape where predictions frequently miss the mark, it’s crucial to remember that various transformations can happen simultaneously, creating a complex environment. Various discussions around startup careers often border on the obvious or are simply wishful thinking. Not long ago, there were sweeping claims about the demise of Product Managers, yet demand for these roles continues to grow.

As we look ahead, here are some educated projections regarding the evolution of roles in Indian workplaces, particularly in the vibrant startup ecosystem of Bengaluru.

The Rise of Agent Operations

By 2028, it is anticipated that the Business Operations role in many Series B startups will largely be automated. In its place, a new function dubbed Agentops is expected to emerge. This smaller team will focus on two key areas: optimizing the flow of information for the agents within the organization and setting actionable goals for their outputs. Essentially, they will translate business objectives into processes that agents can execute, akin to architecting an operational framework.

This shift is projected to attract a significant number of graduates from leading business schools, such as the Indian Institute of Management and the Indian School of Business. While they may not use the term "Agentops," they will likely adopt buzzworthy titles like “Agent Strategy” to appeal to the new wave of market demands.

Interestingly, historical parallels can be drawn to the work of Frederick Winslow Taylor, who pioneered principles of scientific management nearly a century ago amid similar waves of automation.

Transforming the Founder’s Office

Another significant transformation expected by 2028 is the role of the Founder’s Office in startups. With agentic capabilities, the office will likely be overseen by a single Chief of Staff, with human involvement becoming increasingly peripheral. This change is welcomed by many, as the current structure often leads to ineffective communication and a lack of focus on strategic initiatives.

The Chief of Staff role is anticipated to gain importance, becoming a pivotal position that oversees the functioning of a predominantly agent-driven office, rather than merely managing mundane updates and reports.

As this role evolves, we may see an influx of seasoned professionals who can leverage these advancements, providing a more experienced and strategic layer to decision-making processes.

AI Compensation and the Emergence of 10X Category Managers

In response to these changes, it’s already becoming common for engineers to receive AI tokens as part of their compensation, a practice expected to grow. This will align with their increasing influence in determining the tools and models at their disposal.

Moreover, the role of category managers in e-commerce is set to undergo significant changes. Traditionally, they’ve been central to managing vendor relationships and inventory, but as agentic AI takes over many operational tasks, we expect a new breed of "10X category managers" to emerge. These managers will harness the capabilities of agents to streamline processes while maintaining essential human relationships and strategic intuition within their categories.

The CFO Becomes Central

By 2028, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is projected to become the second most influential position in organizations, following the CEO. As the reliance on agents increases, financial metrics will become the primary concern, with the CFO having to justify every financial decision regarding AI investments. The ability to provide real-time financial clarity, as opposed to relying on traditional monthly reporting, will enhance the strategic significance of this role.

As these changes unfold, they signal a broader shift in how startups operate, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of the workplace. The integration of agentic AI is not merely about automation; it’s also about reimagining roles, responsibilities, and the future of work itself.

As the Zero Shot event approaches, it promises to spark vital discussions about the implications of AI in our professional lives. The future is not just about technology; it’s about how we adapt to and shape these changes in the workplace.