Reworking the Future | Brian Tr

In a world driven by constant technological reinvention, Rework stands out for asking a deeper question,  not just how we work, but why. In a compelling conversation on Brown Business, host Rajan Nazran spoke with Brian, the Co-Founder and COO of Rework, about how his company is challenging the traditional relationship between people, software, and artificial intelligence. The discussion revealed not just the evolution of a platform but a philosophy that blends technology with human purpose.

At the heart of Rework’s model lies a quiet but revolutionary shift. Instead of software as a service, Rework believes in service as software. It’s a reversal that redefines how businesses approach digital tools. “Software as a service has now become service as software,” Brian explains. “It’s a different way of approach.” The company aims to design systems that adapt to human needs, not the other way around, allowing people and AI to work in shared language and rhythm.

For Brian, the transformation goes far beyond coding or automation. It’s about rethinking how humans and machines understand each other. He calls AI the “third man” ,  a new collaborator that joins human teams in decision-making and productivity. But this partnership only works when the interaction is clear, transparent, and mutually understood. “We need to create a mutual language between human and AI,” he says. “It’s not about replacing people, but about aligning expectations so both can work together efficiently.”

Rework’s journey began with the realization that earlier approaches to business software, no matter how sophisticated, often created silos. Companies operated with multiple platforms and disjointed data, leaving teams disconnected and overwhelmed. Rework’s answer was to build a unified system,  an environment where data, processes, and communication come together under one intelligent framework. This setup allows companies to work faster, smarter, and with a sense of collective direction.

Brian describes this as creating a “service-oriented language”,  a universal grammar for business operation. In this model, every task, whether handled by a person or an AI, becomes a service contributing to a shared goal. “You can think of your business as a combination of services,” he says. “Everyone,  human to human, human to AI, or AI to human,  does service for each other.” This approach not only simplifies operations but also brings clarity to expectations and accountability.

But Rework’s success is not just built on algorithms; it’s rooted in empathy. Brian speaks of leadership with the perspective of a father,  someone who takes joy in seeing his team thrive. “When I see my employees come to the office happy, working with passion, that’s real success,” he says. He believes people work best when they understand their purpose and feel proud of their contribution. Rework’s technology, then, becomes a means to an end,  a way to help people love what they do, work transparently, and grow together.

This human centered approach to AI is what makes Rework unique. While most companies see technology as a tool for speed and profit, Brian views it as a medium for alignment and meaning. He points out that true innovation is not just about faster systems but about rethinking how people communicate, collaborate, and evolve. “It’s not about changing; it’s about evolving,” he says.

Toward the end of the conversation, Brian reflects on the age of the tech revolution,  barely two decades old, yet already reshaping every corner of human life. “Every company right now must rethink what they can do for their business and their clients,” he says. “As leaders, we need to stay ahead ,  to know what’s happening in the world and work backward with our teams.”

For him, the next phase of technology isn’t about dominance but coexistence,  a stage where accountability, creativity, and purpose define progress. “We hope Rework becomes a name people remember,” he concludes. “A company that proves passion and accountability can drive both technology and people forward.”

Through Rework, Brian invites us to see a different kind of future,  one where AI doesn’t replace humanity but restores it, where innovation is measured not just by performance metrics but by the happiness of those who make it happen.

*Disclaimer: The perspectives expressed by the guest are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of our platform. This discussion is intended solely for knowledge-sharing and should not be interpreted as endorsement.

Produced by Global Indian Series for the Global Indian Network.

Script by Rajan Nazran
original idea: Rajan Nazran

Introduction music: (https://freesound.org/people/Timbre)