The question of whether AI will replace our jobs is predictable—almost reactionary. Having worked in and around technology for almost 20 years, I’ve seen this fear of the unknown repeatedly. With every major technological leap, there's a collective worry that innovation will disrupt our lives in ways we can’t control. In many cases, those fears are valid, but they’re only one side of the story. New technology often brings opportunities, and AI is no exception.
The anxiety around AI feels particularly intense because it taps into deep-seated cultural fears. The idea of machines taking over has been a staple of movies and books for decades. It seems as if this fear is embedded in our psyche.
Just last week, I was having lunch with an arts executive who asked me point-blank: "Do you think AI is going to take my job?" My response was that, while it’s too early to give a definitive answer, it’s already clear that AI will, at the very least, change how we work. Some jobs—particularly those that are repetitive or menial—are likely to be replaced.
I recently read a post by Professor Scott Galloway, who publishes annual predictions on the future of business and technology. For 2025, he predicts a surge in consumer-facing AI applications. However, he argues that the real impact will come from the "routinizing of back-office functions" like accounting, compliance, and customer service. This is where the potential of AI becomes most apparent—not in stealing jobs outright, but in transforming how organizations operate.
So, how should we think about this shift? If you’re running an organization, the question isn’t whether AI will replace jobs—it’s how AI can help your team work smarter. In the next three to five years, I believe AI will primarily enhance productivity. It will automate the dull, repetitive aspects of work, freeing employees to focus on higher-value tasks—the ones that require creativity, problem-solving, and human connection. In short, AI has the potential to make people not only more effective but also potentially happier in their roles.
Today, AI is already capable of making businesses run more efficiently. So, it’s not about fearing the future; it’s about embracing tools that can help us work better today. That’s where the real opportunity lies—and it’s something we all should be thinking about.
And for full disclosure, this post was written by me, but the editing was done with the help of ChatGPT. The net result is that I created this post more quickly than I otherwise would have, and to my eyes, it’s actually better written. You be the judge!
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