Will Artificial Intelligence Take My Job?

It’s a question many of us are asking: will artificial intelligence (AI) take my job? The pace of technological advancement is dizzying, and AI is no longer a concept confined to science fiction. It’s here, integrated into our daily lives. But what does this mean for the future of work? Let’s explore this question from multiple angles—with hope, caution, and a focus on opportunity.

What Jobs Are Most at Risk From AI?

AI is particularly adept at automating repetitive tasks. Jobs in data entry, manufacturing, customer support, and logistics are among the most vulnerable. Roles that rely on pattern recognition—such as some aspects of legal research, radiology, or financial analysis—are also at risk. Additionally, professions in marketing, law, finance, analysis, programming, and even government are being transformed by AI’s ability to process vast amounts of data and identify patterns with precision.

For instance, accountants may see tasks like bookkeeping and tax preparation increasingly handled by AI, but advisory roles that require nuanced judgment and relationship-building will remain essential. Similarly, lawyers might rely on AI for contract analysis or case research while focusing their energy on strategy and client advocacy.

Government roles, too, could face disruption. There is even speculation that a benevolent AI, programmed with core values such as human flourishing, integrity, and sustainability, could one day take over administrative functions—streamlining operations and prioritizing the well-being of all citizens.

However, it’s important to note that AI doesn’t eliminate the need for human involvement; it transforms it. For example, in manufacturing, AI-powered robots might handle repetitive tasks, but humans are still essential for overseeing operations, maintaining machines, and ensuring safety. Similarly, radiologists may use AI as a tool to identify abnormalities more efficiently, but their expertise in diagnosis and patient care remains irreplaceable.

How Will These Roles Evolve?

The future isn’t about humans versus AI; it’s about humans working with AI. Many roles will shift from execution to oversight, from doing the task to ensuring the task is done correctly by AI. Think of AI as a co-pilot—a tool that enhances human potential.

Customer service roles, for example, are already evolving. AI can handle routine inquiries, leaving human agents to focus on complex, emotionally charged interactions. Similarly, in creative industries, AI tools can assist with brainstorming or initial drafts, freeing humans to refine and add depth. In accounting, AI might automate tax filings, while professionals provide strategic advice. Government officials may one day collaborate with AI systems to ensure transparency, reduce inefficiencies, and improve decision-making.

What Are the Speculative Jobs of the Future?

As AI transforms the job market, entirely new roles will emerge—many of which we can only begin to imagine. Here are some speculative jobs that could define the age of intelligence:

• AI Ethics Consultant: Professionals who ensure AI systems align with ethical standards and human values, helping organizations navigate complex moral dilemmas.
• Digital Detox Specialist: Experts who help individuals and organizations balance technology use with mental and physical well-being. This is what my “dawdle” approach is all about.
• Human-AI Interaction Designer: Specialists who create seamless and intuitive interfaces for humans to collaborate with AI systems.
• Synthetic Data Trainer: Professionals who design, curate, and maintain synthetic datasets to train AI models responsibly and effectively.
• Memory Curator: A role focused on helping individuals and organizations manage, preserve, and edit digital memories, ensuring they align with personal or historical narratives.
• Interplanetary Travel Consultant: As space exploration advances, experts will guide individuals on the logistics, safety, and psychology of interplanetary travel.
• Climate Restoration Specialist: Roles dedicated to reversing environmental damage through AI-driven innovations and sustainable practices.
• Personalized AI Mentor: Specialists who develop custom AI companions tailored to an individual’s learning style, career goals, or personal development.
• Virtual Experience Designer: Professionals who create immersive virtual environments for education, entertainment, or therapy.
• Values Integration Coach: Experts who help people and organizations align with their core values in an AI-driven world, ensuring purpose and integrity remain central.

These roles emphasize the importance of creativity, ethics, and human connection in shaping the future.

Is AI the New Electricity?

AI has the potential to become as transformative and ubiquitous as electricity. In the early 20th century, electricity revolutionized industries, homes, and transportation. Today, we barely notice it—it’s simply there, powering our lives.

AI may follow a similar path. In a few decades, it could become an invisible force underpinning every industry and aspect of life. But this ubiquity raises critical questions: what values will guide its development? How do we ensure it serves humanity rather than replacing it?

What Does Purpose Look Like in an AI-Driven World?

As AI takes over routine tasks, humans will face an existential challenge: finding purpose. Work has long been a cornerstone of identity and meaning. If traditional jobs diminish, how will we fill the void?

History offers clues. In times of abundance, societies have often manufactured purpose through conflict, competition, or monumental challenges. Will we see a rise in manufactured conflicts, or will we channel our energy into new frontiers, like interplanetary exploration or solving complex social issues?

Superintelligent AI could guide us toward meaningful challenges. Imagine an age where humanity collaborates on eradicating poverty, reversing climate change, or advancing space travel. But achieving this requires intentionality—embedding values like sustainability, empathy, and creativity into AI systems.

How Can We Prepare for an AI-Powered Future?

Preparation is key. Here are steps you can take to stay relevant and thrive:

1. Embrace Lifelong Learning: Develop skills that AI can’t replicate, such as creativity, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking.
2. Focus on Adaptability: The ability to pivot and learn new tools will be invaluable. Treat change as an opportunity, not a threat.
3. Leverage AI Tools: Use AI to enhance your productivity and creativity. Whether it’s streamlining workflows or generating ideas, AI can be a powerful ally.
4. Build a Values-Based Life: Align your career with your core values. Purpose-driven work is not only fulfilling but also resilient to automation. View my book Start With Values for more.

Could AI Lead Us to an Age of Abundance?

If we slow down and approach AI development with care, we may be on the brink of an age of abundance. Imagine a world where basic needs are met for everyone, where creativity and exploration flourish.

But abundance is not guaranteed. It requires us to program AI with the right values, ensuring it amplifies humanity’s best qualities. This is not just a technical challenge but an ethical and philosophical one. How we approach it will shape the trajectory of our species.

A Hopeful Path Forward

Will AI take your job? It might transform it, but it’s unlikely to render you obsolete. Instead, it offers an opportunity to redefine work, purpose, and progress. It may present an opportunity to slow down, to dawdle, to really live.

By embracing change, leveraging AI as a tool, and focusing on what makes us uniquely human, we can navigate this transition with hope. The future of work isn’t just about survival; it’s about thriving in a world filled with possibility. Together, we can build an age of abundance—guided by purpose, fueled by innovation, and grounded in values.