Palo Alto CEO Says Workers Must Learn AI on Their Own or Fall Behind

Nir Zuk Arora, chairman and CEO of Palo Alto Networks, warned workers not to wait for employers to train them on artificial intelligence. In an interview on the 20VC podcast, cited by Business Insider, he described the current labor market as a “Darwinian moment,” arguing that many employees still do not know how to use AI effectively.

Arora said adaptability, not seniority or familiarity with a company, will determine who advances. He compared AI fluency to earlier workplace basics such as Excel and Google, but said the transition is moving much faster. His message was blunt: employees who learn independently and weave AI into daily work will gain an advantage, while those waiting for formal training may struggle.

He also said organizations are not yet prepared to train large numbers of workers for the AI era. At Palo Alto Networks, he said, the company is not carrying out mass layoffs to rebuild the workforce from scratch. Instead, it is relying on natural turnover, hiring people with more relevant skills, and using hackathons to spot particularly strong talent.

Arora estimated that within a year the company could change 20% to 25% of its workforce, and make a much larger shift within three years. He said back-office functions such as marketing, human resources, and finance may shrink as AI becomes more capable, while technical and sales roles are likely to remain in stronger demand. The broader lesson, he said, is that workers should not wait to be rescued, because the labor market is already rewarding people who learn fast and use AI well.