We’ve all heard the effusive statements from people who work in AI. It’s a friend, not a foe, they insist. It’s here to help us, not to hinder us. And while that may be true for a select few, for many, the prospect of AI reaching the workplace is nothing short of terrifying.

Nevertheless, as the AI workplace revolution looms in the near future, many people can’t help but fear it. Earlier this year, the Guardian published an article that asked: “What will the workplace of the future look like, and will your role still exist?” Another recent article from Entrepreneur even posited that AI wouldn’t just lead to the end of work, it could lead to “the end of humanity”.

Already, we’ve seen several industries transform thanks to the introduction of generative AI. In the world of media, Google is already testing technology that would reduce writing staff in favour of AI-generated content. In the tech world, IBM announced plans to reduce its staff by 7,800 after implementing AI technology. According to estimates from the government, the finance, retail, transport and manufacturing sectors are just some of the industries expected to suffer from job loss over the next few decades. Even Hollywood has been affected – one of the most contentious stipulations in the Writers Guild Association (WGA) strike is that movie executives promise not to use AI-generated content. So far, that demand has not been met. 

All of this considered, it’s only natural to fear the dawn of AI in the workplace and even to worry that your job might be affected. We spoke to Victoria Moy, PR director at Ignite Hubs and Hill Street PR, and Laura Kingston, director of Leap Career Coaching, to find out some practical tips on how to ‘AI-proof’ your career and hopefully make sure no robot could ever hope do it as well as you.

Keeping your career safe from AI

With the AI workplace revolution on the horizon, it’s wise to take stock of 

1. What are the human elements of your job?

The first and perhaps most crucial step is to figure out which aspects of your job are the ‘human elements’. What do you do that AI could never replicate?

“Strong communication, negotiation and teamwork skills are valuable and difficult to replace with automation,” suggests Kingston. “Building relationships and effective collaboration can be essential in many roles.”

Moy adds that businesses will always need creative, critical minds. While AI is capable of replicating ideas and compiling information, it isn’t able to create ideas that haven’t already been created.

“Enhance and embrace your uniquely human skills such as creativity, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, adaptability and complex problem-solving,” she says. “These are things that AI cannot currently replicate.”

2. Keep your skills fresh

Unfortunately, if you work in a sector that is due to be affected by AI, it is worth keeping your CV competitive. This means investing time in refreshing your skills.

“Keep learning and developing your skills, there are lots of free courses out there, LinkedIn is a good place to start,” says Kingston. “Continuous professional development will keep your CV looking fresh and you will feel more confident when applying for new roles or going for promotion as it helps you stand out from the crowd.”

Moy offers similar advice: “Keep an eye on industry trends and upskill wherever possible. This might include signing up for a new course, networking, or gaining work experience in different, relevant departments. It is harder for AI to replicate a diverse range of capabilities, so the more you can do, the better.”

3. Figure out how AI can help, but be aware of what it can’t do

While it may be tempting to shutter yourself off from AI and pretend it isn’t happening, Kingston and Moy recommend leaning in as much as possible.

“Don’t be afraid of AI, work with it and use it to your advantage,” says Kingston. “Embrace the changes and see how you can incorporate AI into your current role and you will be ahead of the game.” For instance, there may be an aspect of your job that is arduous and time-consuming, leaving you feeling overwhelmed and like you don’t have time to commit to more creative, fun aspects of your job. Perhaps there is an emerging AI tool that could help speed this process up.

As a writer, I would be lying if I said AI doesn’t completely freak me out. However, even I can admit there are certain aspects of the job that could benefit from some technological assistance. In fact, I already use an AI transcription tool to speed up the transcription process so I can get on with the fun part of the job – the actual writing.

Like it or not, AI will be finding its way into just about every sector sooner or later. So, it can’t hurt to try to tune up your career so that it really is irreplaceable. Hopefully, with a little awareness about the inevitable AI-filled future, we can all enter dawn of the new age a little more prepared.

It’s also worth noting that it’s on employers to embrace AI in a conscientious, careful way that leaves room for human creativity within their organisations. 

As Moy says: “Rather than replacing employees with AI and creating a soulless atmosphere, employers should consider utilising AI as a tool to assist teams, which could boost productivity levels and help to streamline workflows while retaining the all-important ‘human touch’.”

Images: Getty