I Lost My Job to AI: Warning Signs To Watch Out for
Written by
Cindy Lamothe
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
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Losing your job is never fun — but losing it to AI? That hits differently.
As artificial intelligence quietly reshapes entire industries, some people are already feeling the impact firsthand.
In fact, CNBC recentlyreported that recent estimates from Goldman Sachs suggest that 6% to 7% of U.S. workers could lose their jobs because of AI adoption.
GOBankingRates spoke with Mark Quinn, head of AI operations at Pearl.com, to learn the story of someone who saw the warning signs a little too late — and what you can learn from their experience before it happens to you.
If Your Team and Company Are Still Only Playing With AI
According to Quinn, if your team and company are still only playing with AI, conducting pilots and trying various tools, your company (and likely you) are far behind where they could be.
“Companies that fumble a proactive transformation are likely to layoff their way to greater efficiency, allowing necessity to force the transformation,” Quinn said.
He also noted that companies that are planning thoughtfully are less likely to stumble into surprise efficiency or have their hand forced by their boards.
Your Work Is Ripe for the AI Picking
“No doubt you’ve heard by now that AI is good at repeatable work guided by rules,” said Quinn.
If your work is highly repeatable, largely guided by basic logic, rules and policies, he said your work is highly likely to be disrupted by AI.
“At this point the subject is well studied and the map to sail the new world is clear,” Quinn added.
He recommended to research what work and roles are most adaptable to AI. If your role is on that list, whether your company realizes it or not yet, they should be (and will be) applying AI.
You Are Still Doing Your Work the Same Way
Regardless of what role you’re in and what work you do, if you’re still doing it the same way you were 12 (or even three) months ago, you’re behind, said Quinn.
“How and how far AI applies to various types of work varies, but there is no doubt that regardless of role, the way you work should look and feel very different by now,” he explained.
If it doesn’t, he advised that you should lean in to develop and transform yourself with AI, regardless of what anyone else is asking of you.
“The riper your work is, the harder you should work to develop your own plan and roadmap,” Quinn explained. “That way, you’re already ready when your company realizes the opportunity of AI. When they do, the most valuable employees will be those that know how to team up with AI.”
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