Upwork’s Strategic Embrace of AI Could Push the Stock to $25, According to Experts!

Upwork’s product leaders echo the CEO’s enthusiasm. “Work is being reshaped in real time as intelligent agents become a more familiar and essential part of how work gets done,” observed Dave Bottoms in the Summer 2025 release, framing AI as an “essential part” of modern workflows. In his view, Upwork’s job is to combine “human expertise and AI innovation” in ways that “solve problems, achieve results, and deliver meaningful work at scale.” This philosophy – AI as an amplifier of human “brilliance” rather than a threat – underpins Upwork’s marketing and product design. Notably, even as Upwork automates aspects of hiring (like screening via AI interviews), it emphasizes that the human element remains critical: AI handles the drudge work and initial analysis, so that clients and freelancers can focus on creative and high-value tasks. Upwork was even recognized by Fast Company as one of 2025’s Most Innovative Companies in the HR category for this AI-forward yet human-centric approach. The accolade specifically cited Upwork’s AI-driven work solutions – from the Job Post Generator (used by 70% of new clients) to Uma’s impact on hiring and project delivery – as transforming talent engagement.