How are you preparing for the impact of AI?

(originally published 7.10.25)

The number of discussions about this subject is mind-numbing, except the one we dropped a couple of days ago. It’s everywhere, and for good reason. Predictions on when AI will start replacing our jobs vary widely, but there's a consensus that AI will significantly impact the job market in the coming years, leading to both job displacement and the creation of new roles, the latter being a possible silver lining for us.

Just within the next 3-5 years:

• Wall Street expects to replace 200,000 roles with AI. (Exploding Topics, citing Bloomberg)

• Bloomberg found that AI could replace more than 50% of tasks performed by market research analysts (53%) and sales representatives (67%), compared to just 9% and 21% for their managerial counterparts. (World Economic Forum)

• Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei predicts AI could eliminate half of all entry-level white-collar jobs. (Final Round AI)

The question is two-fold.

One, how should individuals prepare themselves? This isn’t the first time automation has replaced jobs. 

• In the 18th century, hand weavers, spinners, and other artisans were displaced by machines like the power loom and spinning jenny sparking the Luddite movement in England.

• Late 19th to Early 20th Century, Henry Ford’s assembly line was continually automated displacing man for machine, switchboard operators were largely replaced by automated telephone switching systems, and "human computers" who performed complex mathematical calculations by hand were rendered obsolete by the advent of electronic computers.

• Mid-20th Century, clerical workers, typists, and data entry personnel started to see their roles impacted by word processors and early computing systems, ATMs reduced human bank tellers, and early industrial robots took over repetitive tasks like welding and spray-painting in factories.

• Late 20th Century to Present, robotics in manufacturing and warehousing, self-checkout in retail, data entry is increasingly automated, self-driving cars and trucks, chatbots, and the list goes on…

It’s not all bad news. We will cover individual strategies later.

Second, what are US companies doing to prepare their employees for the evolving landscape shaped by artificial intelligence?

Recognizing both the potential for job displacement and the creation of new roles. The consensus is shifting from mass layoffs to strategies that involve upskilling and reskilling the workforce to leverage AI as a tool for increased efficiency and innovation.

1. Emphasizing Upskilling and Reskilling for AI Integration:

Many companies are investing heavily in training programs to equip employees with AI-related skills, allowing them to adapt to new tasks and roles that emerge alongside AI adoption. The goal is often to augment human capabilities rather than entirely replace them. Here are just a few examples.

• Amazon: Amazon's CEO, Andy Jassy, stated that AI will reduce the number of workers needed for some tasks but will create more jobs in other areas. The company expects to manage this by not refilling vacant positions rather than through large-scale layoffs. Amazon has its "Upskilling 2025" initiative, which includes programs like the Mechatronics and Robotics Apprenticeship Program, providing employees with classes and on-the-job training for roles in a more digitized workplace.

• AT&T: Faced with a skills gap in STEM, AT&T implemented a "future-ready" initiative focusing on personalized skills development paths for its employees.

• PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC): PwC invested $3 billion in job training for all employees through its "new world, new skills" initiative.

• Accenture: Accenture has invested significantly in a "connected learning platform" to reskill its workforce, providing millions of hours of training.

2. Fostering AI Literacy and Collaboration with AI Tools:

Companies are also focusing on teaching employees how to effectively use AI tools as "copilots" to enhance their productivity and creativity, rather than fearing the technology. This often involves training on prompt engineering, data analysis with AI, and understanding ethical AI use. Here are two examples.

• Google: Through "Grow with Google," the company offers various AI training courses like "Prompting Essentials" and "AI Essentials" to help individuals and businesses leverage AI for productivity and innovation. These courses often provide hands-on experience with generative AI tools.

• NAVEX: This company offers "AI at Work" training to introduce employees to basic AI concepts, its possibilities and limitations, and ethical considerations for its use in the workplace.

3. Strategic Workforce Planning and Transparent Communication:

Companies are also increasingly engaging in strategic workforce planning to anticipate the impact of AI on different roles and to communicate these changes transparently to employees. These strategies below are a few that help manage concerns about job displacement and encourage proactive skill development.

• Skill Gap Audits: Identifying current and future skill needs within the workforce to tailor reskilling programs.

• Customized Learning Paths: Developing training programs that align with diverse career paths and organizational goals.

• On-the-Job Training: Integrating skill acquisition with daily work to ensure relevance and minimize disruption.

• Knowledge Sharing: Creating environments where employees can learn from each other's experiences with AI.

4. Focusing on Uniquely Human Skills:

While AI can automate repetitive tasks, companies recognize the enduring value of uniquely human skills such as critical thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence, and complex problem-solving. Training often includes developing these "soft skills" alongside technical AI proficiency. Here are some roles that, for now, are uniquely human.

• Management and Leadership Roles

• Consultants (Management, Strategy, IT, etc.)

• Engineers (especially in R&D, design, and complex systems)

• Scientists and Researchers

• Crisis Managers

• Marketing and Branding Strategists

• Entrepreneurs

• Architects and Urban Planners

• Healthcare Professionals (Doctors, Nurses, Therapists, Counselors)

• Teachers and Educators, Human Resources Professionals, Social Workers

• Sales Professionals, Customer Service Representatives (for complex or sensitive issues), Business Development

• Coaches and Mentors

Challenges and Considerations:

Despite these efforts, the transition is not without its challenges. Some companies, like Duolingo and MSN, have already reduced contractor or journalistic roles, partly attributing the changes to AI integration. Intel also plans workforce reductions. The full extent of AI's impact on employment is still unfolding, and some experts warn of potential "subprime AI crises" if companies fail to effectively manage the human element of this transformation.

Ultimately, while some job displacement is anticipated, many US companies are prioritizing strategies that empower their existing workforce to adapt and thrive in an AI-driven future through comprehensive reskilling and upskilling initiatives.

While this addresses large enterprise businesses and the employee experience, tune in for our next article to discuss:

What AI strategies should small businesses, solopreneurs, and contract workers enact with their limited resources?