The truth about AI, your job, and what to do next
It’s hard to go online these days without feeling like the robots are coming for us.
Scroll LinkedIn, skim the headlines, chat with a colleague and there it is again: AI is here, it’s powerful, and it’s changing everything. It’s exciting, yes, but for many of us, especially if you’ve spent 15, 20, or even 30 years building your career the “normal” way, it’s also exhausting. Overwhelming or maybe even a little soul-crushing.
Because here’s the unspoken fear beneath all the noise: What if everything I know, everything I’ve worked for, is becoming irrelevant?
If that’s been niggling at the back of your mind lately, you’re not alone. But take a deep breath, this isn’t an obituary for your career. It’s just a new chapter. And like any new chapter, it comes with a choice: resist the change and risk being left behind, or meet it on your terms, with your experience and values intact.
Let’s talk about what’s happening right now and how you can navigate it without losing your mind.
The truth: AI will change the landscape (but not how you think)
Over the next five years, we will see individuals become extremely wealthy by leveraging AI to rapidly develop content, products, and campaigns at nearly no cost. These individuals will be fast movers, often operating solo or in small teams. They’ll jump on trends quickly, test 100 variations of a product in a week, and win on sheer volume. It’ll look impressive for a while and you’ll be exposed to all the self-promotional posts - “How I built a $10,000 income per month.”
But here’s the catch: this surge in AI-generated everything will start to erode trust. Consumers are already getting sceptical, questioning what’s real, what’s been written by a bot, and who they can believe. How many posts have you seen that have a comment “That's not real, that’s AI.” That shiny new brand that popped up overnight might grab attention, but will it hold it? Unlikely.
Meanwhile, big, established brands won’t be able to pivot in the same way. They’re too layered, too cautious, too focused on risk and brand reputation. So instead of using AI to leap ahead, they’ll use it to cut costs by replacing people, automating support and “streamlining” wherever they can. It won’t feel like innovation. It’ll feel like shrinkage.
And for those in leadership roles, managing large teams is already showing signs of fading. In an AI-enhanced world, output matters more than oversight. The value is shifting from people who coordinate work to people who get things done, creatively, quickly, and efficiently.
So what can you do about it?
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about becoming an AI expert overnight. It’s not about throwing away everything you know. It’s about adapting just enough to protect your independence, stay employable, and maybe even carve out a new opportunity for yourself. Whilst learning some new skills along the way.
Here are three practical, realistic steps you can take, starting now.
1. Experiment with AI tools in your own time (with a purpose)
Don’t wait for a job mandate. Pick one part of your weekly workload, emails, reports, social posts, slide decks, and test out how AI can support or speed it up.
Try ChatGPT, Claude, or Jasper
Tinker with Canva’s AI features or Microsoft’s new Copilot.
The goal isn’t to replace yourself, but to understand how these tools think and work. Read this article to get started.
In six months, aim to have automated or semi-automated at least one task you usually do. That way, you’ll know exactly what AI can (and can’t) do. This will make you far more valuable than someone who’s never tried it. Or is too afraid to give it a go.
And if using these tools makes your job look easier to your manager? Good. Just make sure you’re documenting it. You’re not just being efficient, you’re future-proofing your skillset.
2. Be honest about what your job is really paying you for
This might be the toughest part, but it’s essential. Are you being paid to “look busy”? Sit on long calls? Write overcomplicated reports that never get actioned? That kind of productivity activity won’t survive this next wave. And you have to question if it ever really should have.
If, on the other hand, you bring real insight, empathy, decision-making, creativity, critical thinking or clarity, those human skills will remain in high demand. The trick is knowing which side of the line you’re on. And being honest with yourself about it.
If you suspect your role could be replaced or radically changed, start building an exit plan now. Upskill. Learn how to sell your services. Explore how your knowledge might help smaller businesses or freelancers to navigate the same changes. Don’t panic, but don’t ignore the signs either.
3. Think smaller and more personal
The idea of “mass appeal” is slowly disappearing. AI is making it easier for entertainment, marketing, and even product design to be hyper-personalised to customers. That means there’s no need to chase viral hits or big audiences anymore. Instead, there’s power in speaking to fewer people more meaningfully about things they are genuinely interested in.
That’s brilliant news if you’ve built deep relationships or understand niche communities. Whether it’s through consultancy, content creation, or your small brand, there’s room for you in this new economy. But you’ll need to start showing up. Sharing your thoughts. Testing ideas. Learning in public. And that’s starts with giving it a go.
The future won’t belong to the loudest, it’ll belong to those who are consistent, credible, and clear.
Final thoughts
Yes, AI is going to change work as we know it. But it’s not coming for your humanity. It’s not coming for your values, wisdom, or the way you connect with other people. Those things still matter, maybe more than ever with AI integrated into everything we do.
The world doesn’t need more frantic hustle or one-size-fits-all content. It needs thoughtful, emotionally intelligent people who are willing to learn, adapt, and show others the way.
So if you’ve been feeling anxious about the future, let this be your reminder: you’re not behind but you are right on time. And you’ve got everything you need to take the next step.
Just start small. Stay curious. And remember: your career isn’t a product of the past. It’s still being written.
Want to learn more about AI? Read on…
