‘This revolution is happening in years, not decades’: Verizon CEO Dan Schulman sees AGI within 18 months—and a century of progress in a decade

Verizon CEO Dan Schulman delivered a stark warning at the Ford Pro Accelerate event in Detroit, predicting that the world is on the precipice of an unprecedented technological earthquake. Schulman asserted that current AI models are merely the most primitive versions we will ever encounter, with step-function improvements occurring every two months. He explicitly forecasted the arrival of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) within the next six to 18 months, followed by a quantum computing era and the emergence of sophisticated humanoid robotics by 2030, effectively compressing a century of human progress into a single decade.

Schulman emphasized that the velocity of this change will outpace traditional societal mechanisms, including labor markets, corporate restructuring, and public policy. While he acknowledged the necessity of safeguards, he warned that corporate leaders cannot assume the labor market will naturally adjust. To address this, Verizon has launched a $70 million initiative focused on AI training for American workers. Schulman stressed that the responsibility of leadership lies in anticipating potential failures and implementing guardrails to mitigate the risks of widespread economic disruption.

Historically, technological transitions have been gradual, allowing for systemic adaptation. However, Schulman’s vision suggests a departure from this norm, where the collapse of the 21st century’s timeline occurs within five to ten years. This perspective contrasts with the incremental views of other industry leaders, such as PG&E CEO Patti Poppe and Trane Technologies CEO Dave Regnery, who focus on the augmentation of existing roles rather than wholesale replacement. These executives argue that physical infrastructure—such as fiber installation and power grid maintenance—remains essential and will require a more technologically fluent workforce.

The ramifications of this shift are profound, affecting every level of the workforce from field technicians to corporate management. While some companies like Stanley Black & Decker are deploying AI-enabled robotics to handle repetitive tasks, the overarching concern remains the potential for labor displacement. Dycom CEO Dan Peyovich highlighted that the immediate bottleneck is not a surplus of workers, but a shortage of skilled personnel capable of building the physical infrastructure required for the AI boom, necessitating better benefits and career paths to attract talent.

Looking ahead, the consensus among industry leaders is that the nature of work is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Schulman maintains that while the technology is inevitable, the outcome for the average worker is not guaranteed to be positive without proactive intervention. The future will likely demand a hybrid workforce that combines physical expertise with digital literacy. As the line between human and machine tasks blurs, the ability of institutions to provide training and financial stability will determine whether this decade of change leads to widespread prosperity or significant social instability.