Rethinking with Dror Poleg

Energy Is Too Valuable to Waste on Tasks Humans Can Do. Originally published on May 12, 2025, here. Written by Dror Poleg. ___Dror Poleg writes about the future of work, cities, and markets. His ideas have appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Bloomberg, and beyond. A former tech entrepreneur, private equity investor, and combat veteran, he explores how technology is rewriting the rules of productivity, power, and investing.

Someone is going to try it. Why not you?Originally published on May 2, 2025, here. A couple of related pieces to help you along the way:The Nonlinear Economy provides more context on the economic change we are living through.Playing Like You're Winning, on the mindset required to succeed in this new environment.This newsletter was written to myself, but I hope you enjoyed it, too. If you did, please share it.___Dror Poleg writes about the future of work, cities, and markets. His ideas have appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Bloomberg, and beyond. A former tech entrepreneur, private equity investor, and combat veteran, he explores how technology is rewriting the rules of productivity, power, and investing.

Most of us are playing a game that no longer exists. Originally Published on March 20, 2025, here. Please visit Dror's website to view all the illustrations and link. Dror Poleg is a leading authority at the intersection of technology, work, and cities. His insights have appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, Bloomberg, NBC, and beyond. A former private equity executive and tech entrepreneur, Dror advises some of the world's largest investors, governments, and financial institutions on the forces transforming our cities, workplaces, and markets.

How will AI affect the value, design, and operation of physical buildings and cities? This is the most common question I've been asked at dozens of keynotes I gave this year (book yours here).

People will get paid to do whatever they want. Here's why. Originally published on December 8, 2023, here. Written by Dror Poleg. Articles mentioned in this piece: Impossibly Useless, Compensating the I in AI, NFTs and the Future of Work, and In Praise of Ponzis.

Cities have an essential role to play, at home and abroad. Originally published on December 6, 2023, here. Written by Dror Poleg.

I hope you'll forgive me for drawing your sympathy to one dead soldier. I know there are many others who deserve it. Originally published on November 8, 2023, here. See the online version for the videos and songs mentioned in this article

A brutal moment of clarity presents a new path toward justice and peace. Written by Dror Poleg. Originally published on October 17, 2023, here.

Most people no longer need to work. Our survival depends on convincing them it's OK to do something else. This article was originally published on March 24, 2023, here. I am sharing the audio version now as it is still relevant. Here we go.

A.I. might "liberate" most humans to do jobs that are less meaningful and entail limited agency. But it might be more fun than it sounds. Written by Dror Poleg. Published on September 18, 2023, here.

Thoughts on what makes places attractive, on urbanism's capacity to foster peace and prosperity, and on the most complicated "real estate" conflict in the world — following my first visit to Saudi Arabia. Written by Dror Poleg. Originally published on September 14, 2023 here.

NVIDIA: The Distributed Rocketship. The world's most innovative hardware is developed "from home." Originally published on September 1, 2023, here. Written by Dror Poleg. Subscribe to Dror's newsletter for cutting-edge insights on the future of work, cities, and markets.

I asked ChatGPT to go into my head and figure out what happens next. Published on August 20, 2023, here.

The next productivity boom will not come from robots doing more; it will come from humans doing less. Written by Dror Poleg. Originally published on August 17, 2023, here.

Let AI steal your ideas. It might be the only way to protect them. Written by Dror Poleg. Published on August 15, 2023, ⁠here⁠. Thank you for listening. To harness AI for your own work, check out my upcoming ⁠Practical AI course⁠. We'll clarify all the jargon and hype and get hands-on experience with tools and workflows for marketing, financial analysis, and general business automation. Learn more ⁠here⁠.

A recent announcement from Zoom gives hope to the pro-office crowd. But reading beyond the headlines shows we're never going back to the old normal. Originally published on August 7, 2023, here. Written by Dror Poleg. Check out the upcoming Practical AI course to master the latest tools for marketing, financial analysis, and general business automation.

How will recent innovations impact jobs and corporations? Meta's earning call offers some hints. Published on August 1, 2023, here. Written by Dror Poleg. Learn more about Dror's Practical AI course here.

As work becomes less dependent on location, life becomes more dependent on location. Written by Dror Poleg. Published on July 28, 2023, here.

Lessons from AI and urban planning on why it pays to keep things free — and how exclusivity destroys value. Originally published on July 19, 2023, here. Written and read by Dror Poleg.

This week's podcast is an excerpt from my upcoming book, After Office. My premium newsletter subscribers receive excerpts like this every week. To sign up, visit DrorPoleg.com. I hope you enjoy this excerpt.  In other news, the upcoming cohort of my practical AI course begins next month. If you're interested in mastering the latest AI tools and workflows for marketing, financial analysis, and general business automation, check out the course on HypeFreeAI.com. 

Should you go to the office or stay home? Now, you can do both. Maybe. Published on June 7, 2023, here. Written by Dror Poleg.

You don't have to worry about AI. Keep doing what you're doing. Published on May 28, 2028 here. Learn more about Dror's Hype-Free AI course at www.HypeFreeAI.com.

In a world of abundant content, businesses that control physical touchpoints have a unique advantage. But they also carry unique risks. Published on May 22, 2023, here. Written by Dror Poleg. Join Dror later this month for a deeper dive into AI's impact on industries and careers. Learn more at HypeFreeAI.com.

Whatever job you're in, technology can multiply your productivity, reach, and rewards. Here's a simple formula to help you get started. Published on May 19, 2023, here. Written by Dror Poleg.  Only 11 days left to register for Dror's Hype-Free AI course. We have a great group of people from around the world. Join us to learn what AI can do for you and explore its impact on your industry. Learn more here.

Do we need more programmers, or are many of them going to be broke in a few years? The answer to both questions is yes. Published on March 27, 2023, here. Written by Dror Poleg.

When everyone can sound smart, elite conversations will become less intelligible to regular people. Published on May 16, 2023, here. Written by Dror Poleg. If you're interested in AI's impact on your industry and career, check out Dror's upcoming Hype-FREE AI course. We'll have a fun group of people from across the world, 100% online.

In today's episode, we dive into the challenges and confusion that the corporate world faces in the era of remote work and AI. Explore the complexities of productivity, the need for adaptability, and how company leaders can embrace uncertainty by encouraging experimentation and diverse workstyles. Join us as we discuss the future of work and the role of bosses in navigating this non-linear economy. Written by Dror Poleg. Originally published on May 9, here. Oh, and speaking of the future of work — what do you know about AI? What can it do for you? Later this month, Dror will be teaching a Hype-Free AI Course— providing a practical introduction to the tools and trends reshaping the world of work. Come see what it means for your business or career. Click here to learn more and sign up.

Today's crazy is tomorrow's new normal. Originally published on April 14, 2023, here. Written by Dror Poleg. Check out HypeFreeAI.com to learn more about Dror's upcoming course.

In a networked economy, overestimating low-probability events is not irrational — it's optimal. In a rapidly changing and interconnected world, traditional decision-making theories may no longer fully encompass the complexities of the modern economy. The rise of non-linear dynamics, power law distributions, and extreme outcomes has led to an environment where risk-taking and adaptability are increasingly crucial. In this article, we will explore the limitations of prospect theory, introduced by Daniel Kahneman in his book "Thinking, Fast and Slow," and discuss how it may not be entirely applicable to our current economic landscape. We will also consider how embracing both caution and boldness can enable individuals, companies, and societies to navigate this new era of uncertainty and capitalize on the opportunities it presents. Originally published on April 17, 2023, here. Written by Dror Poleg. Check the original article for additional charts and visuals. 

Talent, Structure, Culture. Published on May 4, 2023, here. Written by Dror Poleg. Subscribe to Dror's newsletter at DrorPoleg.com for weekly insights on the future of work and cities. This article delves into the relationship between talent scarcity and corporate culture, structure, and the future of work. Based on Nadia Asparouhova's theory, companies can be classified into three types: Industrial, Modern, and Creative, depending on the distribution of talent within them. Industrial companies have a balanced talent distribution and rely on strict processes, while Modern companies have a Pareto distribution, seeking to hire as many high-ability individuals as possible. Creative companies have a bimodal distribution and depend on "linchpins," uniquely gifted individuals who drive the company's success. The type of talent a company relies on determines its management style, office culture, and even urban planning. Software and creative industries attract linchpins due to their unlimited problem-solving possibilities and flexibility. The article concludes that talent scarcity and distribution play a significant role in shaping corporate culture, structure, and the future of work.

As technology tilts power towards capital, individuals must adapt by investing in diverse assets and embracing innovative approaches to secure their future. Written by Dror Poleg. Originally published on April 28, 2023, here.

Remote work enables AI to take on more jobs. Stronger AI enables more humans to work remotely. Originally published on May 2, 2023, here. Written by Dror Poleg. As mentioned: Later this month, I will be teaching a Hype-Free AI Course — providing a practical introduction to the tools and trends that are reshaping the world of work. Join us! Click here to learn more and sign up.

Many people can work from anywhere. By some estimates, 35 million people already live as “digital nomads”— taking their work with them to various destinations for months at a time. These people tend to earn more and spend more.And they're just getting started. With the advent of remote work, the number of digital nomads is set to explode. And by “nomads,” I'm no longer talking about people who live on the road, work alone, or never set foot in an office. What can cities and countries do to attract them? How can employers appeal to them? And what can you do to become one? I had a live and lively conversation with Lauren Razavi, the author of Global Natives, a just-published book about how digital nomads will shape the future of work, travel, innovation, and migration.Lauren has lived as a digital nomad in over 50 countries, working on digital tools and a legal framework to facilitate remote collaboration and the mobility rights of people everywhere. Her work has been featured in the BBC, Time Magazine, NPR, Le Monde, and beyond. The video of the recording is available here.

Banks tried to kill remote work. Now, remote work is trying to kill banks. Written and read by Dror Poleg. Originally published on March 20, here.

Technology is forcing our cities to evolve. It is redefining the meaning of location and accessibility, it changes the way we work and move around, and it forces us to reconsider many of our basic assumptions. How should cities respond? What can be done to increase opportunity and tackle inequality? What is the connection between commuting, remote work, and overall prosperity? What should we make of all the trendy ideas that are currently being proposed? And what's so good about cities anyway? This is a recording of a conversation between Dror Poleg and Alain Bertaud. Alain Bertaud is one of the most influential voices on the topic of cities, urban labor markets, and urban transportation networks. He is the author of Order Without Design, a Distinguished Visiting Scholar at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, and a Senior Fellow at NYU's Marron Institute of Urban Management. Previously, Bertaud served as the principal urban planner at the World Bank as a resident urban planner across the globe — from Bangkok and Sana'a to Paris and New York. He even worked as a draftsman for Le Corbusier in India.

Distributed work is a natural evolution of the office itself. To remain attractive, physical offices should stop thinking about productivity. Originally published on March 10, 2023, here. Written and read by Dror Poleg.

Earlier this week, I hosted Dr. Judy Stephenson for a chat about the history of working from home and mixed-use cities. The transcript and more information is available here. Judy Stephenson is an Associate Professor at University College London, specializing in the history of labor markets and the built environment. In addition, Judy is a research associate at both the Oxford Centre for Economic and Social History and The Cambridge Group for the History of Population and Social Structure, and a Director at the Long Run Institute. Her insights have been featured by The Economist, Financial Times, and beyond. Judy's upcoming book, Wages before Machines, explores salaries and bargaining in the pre-industrial world. Follow her on Twitter @JudyZara.

Technology creates more work. More work creates technology. But the way it does so is increasingly unclear. Originally published on March 3, 2023 here. A few housekeeping notes:

Earlier this week, I spoke to Tracy Hadden Loh about the challenges facing cities, and some policies that can address them — covering housing, transit, taxation, office conversions, and more. Tracy is a Fellow at the Brookings Institution, where she researches the interaction between urban policy, real estate development, and local communities. She is a data scientist, with a Ph.D. in city and regional planning, and a former local government representative. For the full transcript and more insights on the future of work, cities, and buildings — subscribe to Dror's newsletter. Follow Tracy @LohPlaces and Dror @DrorPoleg.

In our current economic system, the more successful some people become, the harder it is for everyone else to become successful, and the less likely it is for society to continue to flourish. A few weeks ago, Dror Poleg wrote an article proposing a radical new way to increase innovation and improve how tech profits are distributed. Today, we're trying a new format: Instead of an audio version of the article, Dror is chatting about the article with Zach Valenta. Zach is a software developer, writer, and avid reader. The original article, It's Time for a National Success Fund, was published on January 6, 2023. Subscribe to Dror's newsletter here, and learn more about Zach here. Follow Dror on Twitter @drorpoleg.

I am writing a book, and I need your help. The book explores what happens to cities, companies, and careers when office jobs become scalable and distributed. It will provide actionable insights for anyone interested in the future of work and its impact on how we spend our time, design our cities, and structure our organizations and investments. The book does not predict offices will disappear, everyone will stay home, or that AI will replace most jobs. Still, it describes a once-in-a-century shift with unique opportunities for investors, managers, and elected officials. How can you make the most of these opportunities? I'll share more about the book's content in a moment. But first, let me tell you how I'm writing it and how you can help. How am I writing this book? I am serializing it: Every week, I will share a new chapter with my premium subscribers. Such subscribers will get advance access to the book's insights — and their feedback will help shape the final draft. In addition, premium subscribers will get the following:

There are two kinds of bosses: Those who embrace flexibility, and those who are about to lose their job. Originally published on February 3, 2023, here. Written and read by Dror Poleg. Subscribe to Dror's newsletter for weekly insights on the future of work, cities, and buildings.

30% of office buildings can be converted into housing. 12 months ago, most cities and landlords didn't want to hear about this possibility. But over the past 6 months, there has been an explosion of interest. Office conversions can create hundreds of thousands of new apartments in the heart of cities like New York, San Francisco, London, and Toronto. Adding new housing stock can make cities more affordable, more equitable, safer — and more fun. Instead of relying on commuters that show up a couple of times a week, cities can enable more people to live near work and within walking distance of schools, shops, parks, theatres, and other urban amenities. Beyond the benefits for people, it's also good for the planet! Buildings make up a huge proportion of overall carbon emissions. 50% of these emissions are generated during construction. Reusing and repurposing buildings helps drive down emissions dramatically. And it doesn't end there. By enabling more people to live in cities, we reduce car emissions and energy usage for heating, cooling, and ventilation. In early 2020 — *before* the pandemic — Steven Paynter from Gensler started developing an "algorithm" to assess which office buildings can become apartment buildings. Since then, Steven and his team evaluated more than 500 buildings across North America — 50 of which are now being converted. I chatted with Steven about the challenges and opportunities, and what politicians, investors, and employers can do to make cities more pleasant, affordable, and attractive. Follow @DrorPoleg on Twitter and subscribe to Dror's newsletter here.

The disruption of creative work has been going on for a long time. And yet, we always assume it won't affect us. Written and read by Dror Poleg. Originally published on December 29, 2022 here.

My quote of the year, book of the year, and writing plans for 2023. Published here on December 27, 2023. Written and read by Dror Poleg. Subscribe to Dror's newsletter and follow him on Twitter.

The first-order effect of remote work is emptier offices. The second-order effect is leaner companies. The third-order effect is more inequality and opportunity. Published on December 19, 2022 here. Written and read by Dror Poleg. Subscribe to Dror's newsletter and follow him on Twitter.

The physical and cultural constraints that gave rise to a normal income distribution are losing their power. The difference between highway and airline networks explains why. Originally published on December 14, 2022 here. Written and read by Dror Poleg. Subscribe to Dror's newsletter and follow him on Twitter.

A networked, creative economy cannot produce a normal distribution of income. Our focus should shift to providing a minimum-viable lifestyle to a growing long-tail class. Cities have a critical role to play in that process. Originally published on December 13, 2022 here. Written and read by Dror Poleg. Subscribe to Dror's newsletter and follow him on Twitter.

As they grow, networks become more efficient and less egalitarian. The process explains a lot about where we are — and where we're headed. Originally published on December 12, 2022 here. Written and read by Dror Poleg. Subscribe to Dror's newsletter and follow him on Twitter.

Can an oversupply of offices create an oversupply of housing? (Generally, no. Occasionally, yes.) Published on December 6, 2022 here. Later today, I'm speaking at a free webinar about the future of housing. I'll share some key trends and analysis — and answer any questions you may have. Click here to register. It's free. Can't make it to the live session? Register, and we'll email you the recording.

You can change a giant market even if you don't control it. WeWork changed the way most major offices are leased, operated, and designed. Airbnb will do the same to housing. Published on December 5, 2022 here. On Tuesday, December 6, I'm speaking at a free webinar about the future of housing. I'll share some key trends and analysis — and answer any questions you may have. Click here to register. It's free. Can't make it to the live session? Register, and we'll email you the recording.