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Look, I don’t want to freak you out, but AI is coming for jobs… and yours might be next.

But here’s the good news: this isn’t just about job loss. It’s about shifting into work that actually matters, the kind only humans can do. If you can make that shift, you don’t just keep your job. You become the kind of person companies fight to keep.

So how do you make yourself AI-proof? Let’s break down five practical ways to make sure AI doesn’t replace you, and even helps you thrive.

1. Stop Pretending AI Is a Fad

It can be tempting to roll your eyes at artificial intelligence and dismiss it as just another passing tech trend. We’ve all seen hype cycles come and go, and it’s easy to assume AI will eventually fade into the background. But here’s the truth: AI isn’t a fad. It’s already deeply embedded into the tools and platforms you use every single day. From the filters in your social feeds to the auto-suggestions in your inbox, AI is quietly running in the background, shaping the way you interact with technology.

Ignoring it at this point is like leaving your front door wide open in the middle of a storm. You may not feel the full force of it yet, but sooner or later, it’s going to catch up with you — and the impact will be far more disruptive if you’ve chosen to look away.

So what should you do instead? First, wake up fast. A great place to start is Scary Smart by Mo Gawdat, which lays out the realities of AI in a way that is both accessible and eye-opening. It’s a sobering reminder that this technology isn’t waiting on us to catch up — it’s moving forward at speed.

Next, stay informed by choosing resources that explain AI in plain language, not just tech jargon. Podcasts are a particularly good way to absorb insights on the go and help you stay current without feeling overwhelmed.

You should also curate your feed carefully. Don’t rely on LinkedIn buzzword warriors who shout about “revolutionizing everything” without substance. Instead, follow people who genuinely understand AI, the risks, and the opportunities it presents. Their grounded perspective will help you cut through the noise and focus on what matters.

Finally, and most importantly, get hands-on. No amount of reading or listening can replace actual practice. Download tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini and start experimenting. Ask them to rewrite an email, summarize a long article, or brainstorm new ideas. Even small experiments will give you a clearer picture of what AI can do — and where its limits are.

The key is not to wait until AI feels unavoidable. The people who dabble, experiment, and build familiarity now will be far ahead of those who are still sitting on the sidelines six months from now. The point is simple: don’t wait. Just start.

2. Find Out If Your Job Is in the Replaceable Zone

Here’s the tough reality: if your work can be broken down into rules, patterns, or repeatable tasks, AI can probably do it faster, cheaper, and without coffee breaks.

Examples?

• Instructional design: Standard eLearning modules and slide decks are already being automated.
• Junior data-heavy roles: Analysts and accountants who mostly crunch numbers and create reports are at risk.
• Lawyers and compliance roles: Drafting contracts or reviewing case law is increasingly AI-assisted.
• Content-heavy jobs: Marketing, communications, and journalism roles that rely on predictable copy are in danger.

But being in the replaceable zone doesn’t mean you’re doomed. It means you need to pivot — to the human work AI can’t do.

👉 In fact, in my next post (subscribe so you don’t miss it), I’ll break down the four jobs AI is replacing the fastest and what to do if you see yourself on that list.

3. Learn the Skills AI Can’t Do

Here’s the real secret to job security: it’s not about the tasks you complete. Tasks can always be automated. What matters is the value you bring that no machine can replicate. AI can process data at lightning speed, but it cannot show empathy, inspire a team, or create a bold new vision. That’s where humans come in — and that’s exactly where you need to double down.

The World Economic Forum has identified a set of skills that will be the fastest-growing and most future-proof through 2030. Unsurprisingly, they’re not technical hard skills alone, but deeply human capabilities such as:

• Creative thinking. AI can remix existing ideas, but it can’t generate something truly original in the way a human mind can. Your ability to innovate and imagine new solutions is priceless.
• Resilience, flexibility, and agility. Machines don’t navigate change with grace; they execute. Humans, on the other hand, can bounce back from setbacks, shift strategies, and adapt when things get messy.
• Curiosity and lifelong learning. AI can’t wonder, explore, or ask “what if?” Staying open and eager to learn will always set you apart.
• Leadership and influence. Algorithms don’t win hearts or build trust. People do. Inspiring others and guiding teams through change is one of the most irreplaceable skills you can have.
• Talent development and coaching. No AI can truly mentor, encourage, or unlock someone’s potential in the way a skilled leader can.
• Motivation and self-awareness. Understanding yourself, managing your energy, and showing up intentionally is a uniquely human advantage.

If you’re in L&D, these skills should feel familiar — they’re already central to what you do. So instead of stressing about whether a tool can churn out an eLearning module faster than you, focus on what really matters: your ability to influence leaders, guide people through transitions, and make learning stick in unpredictable, human environments. That’s the edge that keeps you irreplaceable.

And if you’re unsure where to begin, I created the AI-Proof Skills Checklist as a simple roadmap. Think of it as your survival kit in this storm — a clear guide to building the skills that will future-proof your career.

4. Reframe AI as a Teammate, Not a Threat

Most people fall into one of two camps when it comes to AI: they either see it as the enemy that’s going to steal their job, or they treat it like a slightly faster assistant for the same old tasks. The problem? Both of these views are too limiting.

A better perspective is to think of AI as your sparring partner. It’s not there to take your place; it’s there to sharpen your work and push you further. Instead of using AI just to generate a first draft or do the grunt work, use it to expand your thinking.

Here are three powerful ways to do that:

• Challenge me. Share your idea with AI and ask where it’s weak, unclear, or likely to face pushback. You’ll uncover blind spots before someone else points them out.
• Broaden me. Ask, “Who else has solved this problem differently?” and let AI surface perspectives you might never have considered.
• Pressure test me. Invite AI to play devil’s advocate against your plan. It can highlight risks and potential failures you may not have seen.

When you start working with AI in this way, you stop looking like someone leaning on technology. Instead, you become the strategist — the person making higher-level decisions, integrating input, and adding the human judgment that AI will never replace. That’s the difference between being replaceable and being indispensable.

5. Start Now. Seriously.

Here’s some tough love: waiting six months to “see how this plays out” could cost you years in your career. AI isn’t slowing down, and those who hesitate risk being left behind while early movers get ahead.

But starting doesn’t have to mean overhauling your career overnight. It’s about small, deliberate steps.

• Step 1: Pick one AI tool — ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, whatever appeals to you — and use it once this week for something small. Write an email, summarize a report, brainstorm ideas. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s building familiarity.
• Step 2: Choose one human skill to deliberately practice. Maybe it’s curiosity. Maybe it’s influence. Maybe it’s resilience. Put it into action in a real situation, like asking a thought-provoking question in your next meeting instead of jumping straight to an answer.

These tiny steps may not look dramatic in the moment, but they compound quickly. Play with the tech, flex your human edge, and keep doing it consistently. That’s how you stay ahead — while others are still stuck in “wait and see” mode.

The Big Picture: Thrive in the Age of AI

I’m not sharing all of this to scare you. I’m sharing it because I don’t want you blindsided. Every major technological shift — the rise of the internet, the explosion of social media, the adoption of smartphones — rewarded the people who leaned in early. AI will be no different.

The people who start now will be the ones everyone else is chasing tomorrow. And honestly? I’d like that person to be you.

Your Next Steps

Download the free AI-Proof Skills Checklist. It’s your personal roadmap for building the human skills AI will never replace.

Catch up on this earlier conversation the previous post on what HR really needs to know about AI

Keep Learning

Podcast: AI for Humans: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FId0qPP5SldltQTgVFTxq?si=d958632143344f30

Read: Scary Smart: Mo Gawdat

Until next time,

Candice