Wait a minute, will AI really take my job? Really?
- Jan Okonji
- Sep 24
- 5 min read
“Hold my coffee, the robots are coming for all our jobs!”
Really? History tells a different story. When personal computers showed up, pundits promised a paperless office and mass unemployment. Instead, we got spreadsheets and email…and millions of people learned new skills and stayed employed. The same panic plays out with artificial intelligence. Let’s attempt to sift through all the viral noise and really understand what’s happening with this AI and employment situation.
Reality check: what AI does well (and what it doesn’t)
AI isn’t some all‑knowing god or super robot; it’s a set of tools built by humans.
Today’s generative models, like ChatGPT, are superb at processing language, generating images, and analysing patterns. We know and understand what they can do - draft marketing copy, help debug code, summarize legal documents, suggest treatment options etc etc. And their usage is rightfully exploding: 78% of blue-chip organisations reported using AI in 2024, up from 55% the year before.
That's just wild. Currently, about 40% on average of corporate blue-chip company employees use AI at work, double the rate in 2023.
But there are limits and because of these same limits technological change impacts employment gradually not instantly. In the past, technologies from electricity to smartphones, took years or decades to spread, and many occupations grew in spite of the the automation wave.
Even with generative AI, researchers find that the timing and scale of impacts on jobs remain uncertain at the moment and the opinions you are seeing online are just that - opinions.
Consider the example of autonomous vehicles we thought would eliminate taxi drivers. Currently it is so near and yet so far implementation wise and a basic web browse will show you that the foray into that technological space has actually increased jobs rather then eliminate them. Even the pre-cursor to this which was Uber and it's AI enabled application, has seen more job opportunities rather than the death of a traditional industry.
Still not convinced?
Well, consider AI is still not yet 'feeling' or 'human' enough to be sentient and stupidly struggles with tasks that require physical dexterity, deep empathy, contextual judgement or leadership. Don't get me wrong - I am an avid user of AI in it's various forms but the extent of work one has to put in during prompt engineering to get a refined output from an AI LLM is quite nerve wracking.
Let's back it up further: a recent Microsoft‑sponsored study ranked jobs by AI applicability: interpreters, translators and customer service reps scored high, while nursing assistants, architects and surgical assistants scored near zero. In other words, AI excels at repetitive, text‑heavy tasks but falters when a job calls for caring for patients, building a roof, or inspiring a team.
Machines can process, predict and compose, but they just don’t care. They don’t build relationships, mentor colleagues, or motivate teams. Even with the latest advances, AI struggles with complex reasoning and remains limited in unstructured, real‑world environments.
Caring professions such as nursing, teaching, counselling and social work rely on empathy and trust. Trades like carpentry, plumbing and electrical work demand dexterity and on‑the‑spot judgement. Leadership roles require vision, persuasion and ethical judgement. AI may offer suggestions, but you still make the call.
Myth vs. truth: So will AI eventually wipe out all jobs?
The doomsayers love big numbers. Anything to go viral these days. To be relevant.
Away from TikTok influencers spewing AI prophecy, what do the big boys say?
Reports from consultancies and banks warn that hundreds of millions of jobs could be “affected” or “automated.” The International Monetary Fund estimated that 300 million full‑time jobs globally could be affected by AI automation, but clarified that most will undergo task‑level transformation initially rather than disappear altogether.
On the other hand the World Economic Forum projects 83 million jobs lost and 69 million created by 2027 and yet, these same reports emphasise that firms expect to adopt AI and to create new roles in AI development, data analysis and cybersecurity. Yin and Yang?
Perhaps the real concern is not lack of jobs due to AI but lack of relevant skills if one is not willing to learn more AI relevant stuff? Perhaps THAT is the main issue.
These case studies illustrate the nuance. Back in the day jobs tied to now‑obsolete technologies disappear: photographic process worker employment fell drastically as digital cameras took yet other roles, like software developers exploded and became the driving force of business and government alike. Why? Adaptation. And this is an example of a job sector that will grow even more with AI since AI helps developers write and test code faster, which can lower costs and increase demand for software.
Here is the thing: panic about job loss often overlooks the difference between tasks and jobs.
The moral of the story is AI may automate pieces of your job, but the human role evolves. Think of ATMs: they automated cash dispensing but led to more bank branches and different responsibilities for tellers.
Now some actionable steps to stay relevant in an AI world
Treat AI as a tool, not a threat. Don't just sit back and resist beneficial change. Learn to use AI for drafting, brainstorming, analysing data or automating routine tasks. Let the machine handle the drudgery so you can focus on higher‑value work.
Invest in these uniquely human skills: Strengthen your abilities in critical thinking, creativity, empathy, communication and leadership. These skills are in short supply and hard to automate.
Stay curious and keep learning. Technology evolves quickly. Take courses on data literacy, prompt engineering or AI ethics. Read reports and attend webinars. As AI changes tasks, new opportunities emerge.
Build interdisciplinary knowledge. Combine expertise in your domain with basic understanding of AI and data. A marketer who understands AI analytics or a doctor who can interpret AI‑generated insights will be more valuable than who who doesn't.
Focus on outcomes, not tasks. Ask yourself: what problem am I solving for my client or employer? Use AI to achieve better outcomes, not to simply reproduce the same processes.
Nurture your network. Relationships open doors. People hire people they know and trust. AI can’t replace a genuine human connection.
Whither to? Keep calm and carry on (with AI)
Will AI take every job? No.
Will it change your job? Almost certainly.
The evidence shows that AI adoption is rapid and uneven, but job impacts unfold slowly and vary by task and occupation. Some roles will shrink or vanish; others will grow. Many will evolve.
Your future depends less on the algorithm and more on your adaptability. Embrace the tools, sharpen your human edge, and you’ll not only keep your job—you’ll make it more interesting.
Jan Okonji is an entrepreneur, self-mastery coach, and founder of the company Business Growth Solutions. He has a passion for helping employees transition safely into entrepreneurship and does this through his powerful R.O.A.D Business Strategy program.
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