How Can Employees Remain Relevant Amid an AI Revolution

The fear of losing your job to AI is spreading like a pandemic, and no number of lockdowns will help. GenAI is rapidly growing, and office jobs are directly in the line of fire. Incorporating AI with robotics is looming, and blue-collar workers will soon face similar issues.

I recently reviewed a study that revealed that 30% of employees fear losing their jobs to AI or some form of automation.

Take this example: you’re in a high-productivity role in your company, taking home a good paycheck, and you soon find out that there is an AI that can do your job more quickly than you for a lower price. That puts you in an uncomfortable spot, right?

But it’s not all doom and gloom. Automation can never replace certain human qualities, at least not in the foreseeable future.

How we hone those qualities, skills, and talent will decide the future of humans in the global workforce. Here are three hacks to help you remain relevant amid the AI Revolution.

1. Become a master of AI

Business analysts and experts worldwide have made it clear that AI is paving the path ahead. A marketer or an HR person may seem far from requiring technological expertise but considering the current job market; it certainly wouldn’t hurt to take a course on AI, GenAI, or machine learning.

If your company starts trimming the fat, you will always have relevant AI skills to fall back on.

2. Hone and own your craft

We have reached a stage where corporates are reluctant to hire newbies and give them the time and space to become masters of their craft. Instead, it’s now more cost-effective to roll out automation that carries out these tasks for a fraction of the price.

The same goes for employees who have seemingly found their footing within their companies. Although leadership can’t be replaced with AI yet, top management should still consider that their jobs could be on the line if they don’t keep up with the trends or embrace healthy competition to be the best at what they do.

3. Explore your options

This might seem counter-intuitive to what you’ve been told elsewhere, but it’d be safe to look around the market and see what other jobs match your skills. For example, If you’re a graphic designer who is also good at hand-drawn art, and you’re beginning to sense you could lose your design job to GenAI, it may be time to start looking elsewhere.

Given the current decline and geopolitical issues, I understand that exploring your options is easier said than done, but foresight is key. Staying updated on the market situation and acting proactively can save you hassle and heartache in the long run.

In Summary,

In the future we are headed for, job security might become a luxury in the modern world. This is not to incite fear. The bottom line is this—people will have jobs no matter the outcome of the AI revolution, but AI will make them pull their weight in an increasingly competitive workforce.

On the bright side, AI is currently not self-sufficient, meaning a decent level of human contribution and input is required. So, to remain indispensable, we must adapt our thinking to the changing times and be fully prepared for what is to come.