Is your work safe from AI?

Artificial intelligence will affect some professions more than others. Rather than listing which jobs might disappear, let's explore why and how AI impacts certain roles—and how you can adapt and stay relevant.

In my book Your Business Strategy for the Intangible Future, I predict the world will become increasingly intangible. This means physical processes and ownership of real-world assets are already overshadowed by the value of knowledge, expertise, emotions, brands, data, and AI. The intangible world moves and scales millions of times faster than its physical counterpart.

Qualities of the intangible realm

1. No fixed location. This puts everyone on a global playing field.
2. Difficult to own or control. Monetizing intangible elements is more complex.
3. Constant, rapid change. Global flows connect, react, and evolve in real time. Stability is rare.

Signs your work might be at risk

• You rely on familiar, predictable processes. If your job is mostly about following established steps, AI can replicate that.
• You count on having the best local knowledge for widely documented topics. AI reduces the advantage of "local expertise" when information is accessible globally.
• Your tasks take a long time to finish. In a fast-moving environment, extended project timelines can become a disadvantage.

Qualities that keep you safer

1. Deep knowledge of changing, human-centric local issues
   • Examples:
     • A corporate coach who specializes in guiding diverse teams through cultural differences and interpersonal challenges.
     • An HR consultant who stays attuned to employee sentiment, morale, and mental well-being within a specific organization.
2. Expertise in location-specific physical matters
   • Examples:
     • A facilities manager who regularly inspects and addresses compliance issues unique to an office or manufacturing site.
     • A property lawyer who understands the precise zoning rules, environmental regulations, and legal nuances in a given region.
3. More than 50% about serving other people
   • Examples:
     • A financial advisor who spends most of their time in in-depth consultations, adapting investment strategies to a client's personal life goals.
     • A management consultant who guides company leaders through high-stakes decisions, requiring empathy, negotiation, and nuanced communication.
4. Being part of a global knowledge flow
   • Examples:
     • A marketing strategist who routinely collaborates with international colleagues to test and refine campaigns in real time.
     • A legal professional who exchanges emerging case studies and evolving regulations with peers across multiple jurisdictions.
5. Adopting AI as part of your workflow
   • Examples:
     • An accountant who uses AI tools to automate routine tasks, allowing more time for client relationships and strategic financial advice.
     • A project manager who employs AI-driven data analytics to forecast project risks and optimize resource allocation.
6. Operating at the edge of novel developments
   • Examples:
     • A researcher in a biotech startup pioneering new gene-editing methods.
     • A tech entrepreneur exploring untapped applications of blockchain or quantum computing—areas not yet dominated by AI.

By embedding these qualities into your work, you remain adaptable, valuable, and less likely to be replaced by AI. Rather than fearing automation, see it as a catalyst for honing your expertise, expanding your global network, and adding more human-centric value to everything you do.