Hey,
Ethan Here
AI will replace you.
I think we have all thought about this possibility over the last 1-2 years.
Will I get replaced?
Is my job secure?
Will I be able to find a new job?
What industries are going to be affected the most?
Let me give you my insight on all of this.
(this is a good one, please read all the way through)
After diving into this topic and understanding how AI and what a potential future might look like in the job market. I discuss my take on what we can expect towards the end of this year and into 2025.
People are losing jobs fast.
There is no fake corporate job security to save you.
Take a look -
"Since last May, U.S. companies have announced more than 4,600 jobs cuts in order to free up resources to hire people with AI experience or because the technology replaced tasks" - Feb. 12 2024 Bloomberg News
"Almost 65,000 Job Cuts Were Announced In April—And AI Was Blamed For The Most Losses Ever" - May. 2nd 2024 Forbes
"Dell Trims Workforce by Approximately 6,000 Employees" - March 26th 2024 Spiceworks
"Cisco Systems (CSCO.O), opens new tab said it would cut 5% of its global workforce, or more than 4,000 jobs" - Feb.15th Reuters
"Over 100,000 tech jobs have been cut in 2024 so far, adding to the 240,000 cuts in 2023, driven by economic uncertainty and AI advancements." - July 16th 2024 Techopedia
Okay enough of that.
It is also important to mention that these layoffs are also not directly tied to AI.
Companies will continuously lay people off due to numerous factors but AI is a fast growing factor in the grand scheme of these aggressive moves.
Take what you want from that.
One thing is for certain though.
Times are changing and we are in the modern digital age.
The internet and social media has matured and grown up.
Wealth and skill gaps are becoming more apparent.
People who do not embrace continuous education and learning modern skill sets are falling behind.
Who is going to get replaced by AI?
AI will replace entry level positions.
AI will replace anyone who fulfills similar tasks over and over again
AI will replace anyone who has a very specific and select skill set
AI will replace anyone who does not take responsibility for their own education.
Most schools, jobs, and careers reinforce a narrow line of thinking.
Society teaches a closed state of mind, and encourages no further education out side of your field of your specific career choice.
You are trained to be a specialist.
This is fundamentally flawed as most humans change, develop, and have multiple interests throughout there life.
Becoming a specialist also has it's issues when environments and industries change over the years. (like AI replacing jobs)
There is little to no "skill stacking", connecting the dots, or problem solving when you fall into a typical 9-5 job.
Therefore most likely you are easy to replace.
Your false sense of corporate security will end when cheaper industry standard practices (like AI) are introduce to appease investors.
By becoming a specialist in your line of work.
You set yourself up to for failure when your industry pivots.
All industries most certainty will.
Your goal should be to learn independently on your own time and create skills for yourself that are unique and irreplaceable.
You need to take control of your income by having the knowledge in your specific profession and interest AND a broad future proof skill set.
This way you have all the tools and resources necessary to create solutions , offers, and therefore income in any industry you have knowledge in.
Traditional education systems do not know what to teach anymore.
What will your job or industry look like in 20 years from now? No one knows.
Digital cameras were introduced to market about 20 years ago.
Imagine going to school for film photography back in the day lol.
Adopt a valuable and diverse skill set so you are able to gain independence and make your own opportunities for your income.
What are future proof skills you need to learn to not get replaced by AI?
I was on a call with a client the other day and he asked me this:
"are you scared of AI replacing you or your job?"
I laughed and said absolutely not.
I also shared that I was actually more nervous of AI replacing my previous job as a freelance commercial photographer.
I have no fear of AI replacing my current job as a creator.
Assuming AI will eventually be able to do whatever tasks we want.
(creative work, copyright, website, chats, creation, research, ect. ect.)
Here are some of some essential skills you will need to learn to create an independent and irreplaceable position for yourself in your industry:
Marketing & Sales - Learn to attract and persuade people into your network of ideas, topics and passions. You need to be able to inspire and convince people so they take action and learn about the systems your teaching.
Communication - Learn to talk, write, and create content and give yourself the voice to be heard and understood. You should be an excellent and confident communicator across all different mediums.
Business and Offer Creation - Learn to solve solutions for people. Create appealing offers and earn money through your ideas by creating solutions for these problems. Your solutions and offers will be different then your competitors by the angle and past experiences you have had in your life.
(example: everyone knows that working out and eating less will make you lose weight, but what systems and past experiences do you have that makes your offer / coaching different?)
These are the fundamental skills into entrepreneurship.
If you have never thought of yourself as an "entrepreneur" don't let the label scare you.
It is simply a means of creating value for people by solving problems.
In time and practice you can acquire any skills you focus on.
You should be well rounded and have many skills to apply in your area of expertise.
Now how is this going to help you not get replaced by AI?
You will be creating value by solving problems for people and earning money through your knowledge.
This can take on whatever form you would like.
Here are some examples:
Copywriter gets laid off because of AI automation from their employer.
↓
Copywriter uses their skills and knowledge in writing to become an AI implementation expert. Copywriter learns some great communication skills, starts creating content on social media, learns how to market and generate leads, learns how to close sales, and now creates an appealing offer through his new business.
↓
Copywriter is now a self employed business owner, earns more money doing what he/she loves, solves more problems, and bigger problems for more people, which results in a lot more money. Copywriter is now in control of their schedule, income and location.
Photographer struggles to bring in money because people use iphone and AI to create content.
↓
Photographer uses their skills in creative work to become a creative content expert. Photographer now learns great communication skills, starts creating content on social media, learns how to market and generate leads, learns how to close sales, and now creates an appealing offer through their new business.
↓
Photographer is now a self employed business owner, earns more money doing what he/she loves, solves more problems, and bigger problems for more people, which results in a lot more money. Photographer is now in control of their schedule, income and location.
You are now using your skills combined with your knowledge and interest to generate a living for yourself independent of your employers.
You can now take control over your life, career, and income.
You can chose to continue to service clients locally or ideally offer online services.
You can scale your business however you would like, ultimately giving you time, money, and location freedom. (this will have to be for another letter)
How can I start?
This may be a lot of information to consume all at once.
It is important to have an open mind.
I applaud you for your continued effort to learn and reading this far.
This information will help you future proof yourself and your career.
I always appreciate receiving actionable advice when I'm learning -
Here's a good place to start:
Posting content will allow you to start learning how to communicate and start learning effective marketing. Content is the free organic driver to your dream life. Start building your audience today, and you'll wish you started yesterday. Don't wait.
2. Start your your email list / newsletter.
Now that you're posting content, you can deepen the connection with your audience with a newsletter. Email longer form information through your newsletter. Consider developing a free lead magnet to help more people in their journey and you'll use your lead magnet as an incentive to join the newsletter. This is essentially a modern day blog. Starting a newsletter will teach you how to think and write more effectively - important communication skills to have.
3. Create your offer
Start providing your service. Create a service and offer that helps people along their journey. Assuming you have acquired skills and knowledge in your main interest. Teach and share that knowledge with other people. If you were studying or working in a field that doesn’t interest you anymore, start learning about what you're passionate about. If you spend 2-3 hours per day learning a new skill, you will surpass 90% of people within 8 months and unlock the ability to start teaching and sharing that skill.
This is the future of work.
If you do not evolve and continue to educate yourself you will be left behind.
This process all starts with being able to market yourself and attract attention.
"By 2028, there will be 90.1 million people freelancing in the US. At this point, they’ll make up more than half of the total US workforce" (Stastista)
If you cannot make money independently from your employer, you have a problem.
You are setting yourself up for failure.
Take control of the income you make.
Your livelihood depends on it.
Continue to educate yourself and future proof your skill set starting with effective communication.
Thanks for the read -
Talk soon,
Ethan