AI Stealing Your Job? Not If It Works for You

These days when someone mentions Artificial Intelligence, the reaction tends to be quite visceral. The digital Marmite of technology has divided the population into two camps: those who embrace it as a quantum leap towards deity-level innovation, and those who fear it as the harbinger of some Terminator-esque dystopia.

Enthusiasts range from those intrigued by AI’s practical applications to those who revere it as an inevitable superintelligence that will usher in a new golden age of awakening. On the other hand, the doomsayers have gone full sandwich-board and bell-ringer mode, lamenting the rise of machines poised to steal our jobs, our purpose, and, apparently, even our women. 

Now, while we can’t do anything about robots with game, we can actually reframe the other fears that AI is here to steal our jobs and purpose. While, yes, AI is certainly going to automate some of the jobs that humans currently do — echoed by a Goldman Sachs report from 2023, which predicts it will replace around 300 million roles globally — the reality is that it will potentially create more jobs than it takes away. Regardless, the secret of ensuring you don’t get steamrolled by AI is to adapt and get it working for you.

AI, the Freelancer Way 

A recent Skidmore article highlighted a National Science Foundation-backed Skidmore College project that’s democratizing access to AI-enabled tools to assist online freelancers. These tools are designed not to replace workers but to make their jobs easier and more rewarding. Why? Because freelancers are often reliant on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr. The reward for becoming identity slaves to such sites is typically a smorgasbord of complicated hurdles, such as jostling for space among a horde of competitors, navigating unclear algorithms, and enduring policies that favor employers — reducing freelancers to scores and portfolios rather than presenting them as actual people with actual skillsets. 

The online freelancing space — rapidly growing as a significant component of modern labor markets — acts as a microcosm of the larger issue; namely, illuminating the importance of giving workers the correct tools to succeed. Indeed, the Skidmore College projects’ tools are actually being created with a user-first approach. The researchers receive direct freelancer feedback, create the actual products, and then make the tools available for testing. 

The ultimate aim is to offer democratized and bespoke AI-powered tools that empower freelancers to market themselves better, manage their workload more efficiently, and gain recognition for high-quality work in a crowded marketplace. In the larger sense, it also showcases the obvious reality that those able and more willing to effectively leverage sophisticated, next-gen tools are more likely to find work as AI continues to dominate. In this case, instead of AI stealing your job, AI is making your job easier.

Beating the Bots

Now, of course, freelancer or not, you may still be concerned about AI stealing your job (eventually). Thankfully, there’s no reason to collapse onto the sofa like a panic-stricken Victorian debutante. It’s all about understanding that using AI to augment skills may apply to all types of market sectors. AI could filter into almost every job role — particularly jobs that already utilize technology.

Cost-effective, AI-powered tools are everywhere, and they’re designed to make work more efficient, not replace you. Take content creation, for example. Platforms like Grammarly refine writing, while AI systems like ChatGPT can help brainstorm ideas or draft initial outlines for projects for writers — whether it’s a burgeoning author or a coffee-drunk copywriting intern at an advertising firm. For designers, tools like Canva and Adobe’s AI-powered features offer suggestions and templates that streamline creativity and knock hours off of editing processes. Even fields like programming are benefitting from tools like GitHub Copilot, which suggests code snippets and automates repetitive tasks. 

Tools like these are becoming increasingly prevalent and sophisticated, and like an over-friendly gym partner, these tools are always happy to lighten the load when you take on more than you can handle. This delegation frees up time for workers to actually overachieve and increase output. By extension — since most bosses or clients simply want results, rather than you working to the bone (although, we all know the latter do exist) — you can exceed expectations while moving away from the somewhat toxic term of ‘underpromise, overdeliver.’

In short, the trick is to use AI tools to complement your strengths or grow new ones. Let AI handle the grunt work — like fixing grammatical errors, optimizing designs, or improving your freelance profile. You can focus on the strategic and creative aspects of your role, allowing you to excel among the competition, human or otherwise. Instead of AI stealing your job, AI-powered tools can keep you ahead of the game.

So, that’s job security and purpose solved. Competition from AI love robots? Afraid you’re on your own there.