Prevent AI from taking your job by increasing your adaptability.
With all the hype about AI and how it’s changing the landscape of work, you’re probably wondering, “Will AI take my job?” It’s a fair concern. But you can take action to ensure your job security and cement your value—both today and in the future.
It’s an important issue to consider now. AI is taking hold globally and in all industries—and if you get ahead of the trends, it will pay off for your job security and career advancement. But if you let worry or resistance get in the way of positive action, you’ll create barriers in your ability to move forward.
How to Take Action So AI Doesn’t Replace You
Here’s how you can ensure that AI doesn’t take your job—and leverage the current trends in order to create advantages for your future.
1. Be Confident—So AI Doesn’t Take Your Job
One of the first ways to ensure your job security is to be confident and know your value.
Despite the headlines and layoffs in certain industries or regions, the talent shortage is real, intense and ongoing. The birthrate is declining and populations are aging globally, which means there are less people to do the work necessary across our society.
In fact, 75% of leaders across the globe say they are struggling to fill roles, according to ManpowerGroup. And companies of various sizes and in multiple industries are feeling the crunch. Within the U.S., about 100,000 jobs will be added per month with an unemployment rate that remains at a 50-year low, according to economist predictions.
Your work will be necessary. Your talents will be necessary. Your value will be necessary. Even with AI doing tasks and filling some roles, people will still be a critical part of the workforce.
In addition, your contribution will be critical. AI can do a lot, but there are things humans do best—like creating, connecting and being curious. Your ability to innovate, connect dots and see possibilities on a blank page will set you apart. Your ability to empathize and relate will be unique. And your ability to wonder and question will be aspects that you can bring to a greater extent than AI.
Be confident because it will differentiate you—and because it will drive your ability to adjust, adapt and bring value to your organization.
Stay aware and proactive in order to ensure job security.
2. Be Adaptable—So AI Doesn’t Take Your Job
Your job security won’t be based on the brilliance you bring to your work today, and it won’t be based on a static set of skills. Instead, your job security will be based on your ability to adapt and shift.
Know that you can make the shifts. In fact, you already have. We tend to think AI is all new, but it’s been part of our experience for a long time.
You’ve incorporated the use of GPS as you’ve been getting around. You’ve started using smart devices throughout your home—from thermostats to security systems. You’ve created resumes based on the knowledge that AI was evaluating them. And you’ve been relying on the transcription capabilities for your video calls with co-workers.
It’s possible to adopt new behaviors and new skills—and you’ve been doing it successfully.
But you can benefit by boosting your resilience as well. Do this in three ways.
- Stay aware—of trends, the market, customers and competitors
- Make sense. Based on what you see, consider what your organization requires for success and which direction you’ll need to go in the future.
- Respond and improvise. Take action by building your skills, identifying problems and opportunities, advocating for new ideas and adding unique value based on your awareness, knowledge and future focus.
Some organizations are upskilling, but some aren’t yet sure about how they should respond, and 78% of people say they’re making their own decisions about the AI tools they’re using—and receiving positive feedback from their employers. This is according to a new report from Microsoft
AI may not take your job, but someone using AI will, so embrace new technologies and try new methods to get your work done. Develop your resilience and take initiative to build new skills and capabilities.
3. Provide Your Perspective—So AI Doesn’t Take Your Job
Another way you can increase your job security in the face of AI is to participate actively—speak up and provide your perspective within your organization. Many companies believe they have to make all the decisions about how AI is incorporated. But they can benefit from listening to employees about what the biggest opportunities are.
It’s unlikely that AI will take your job, but it may take over tasks—and roles will be redesigned to take advantage of what AI does best—and what humans do best.
You can get ahead of this trend and influence your future roles by sharing how you’re using AI and providing examples about how it’s helpful in your job. In addition, give input about friction points in your job—as these annoyances and inefficiencies will top the list of where to explore the use of AI.
The best organizations will have talent strategies that include both AI and people—and you can improve your organization’s approach and model the way for other employees to get on board as well. All of this will make you especially valuable to your employer—and foster greater job security in the process.
The Future is Bright
Will AI take your job? Perhaps, if you don’t embrace it and adapt. But you can stay confident to try new things, adjust and build your resilience—and therefore your value to your employer.
