If your job involves just one task, then yes, that’s risky. You’re almost asking for trouble. If AI nails your one trick, you’re basically toast. That’s why you need a job with lots of different tasks, especially the kinds that aren’t easy pickings for AI. The good news? If you keep things interesting and varied, you’re pretty much AI-proof. Here’s a laid-back guide to ensuring your job stays safe, relevant, and actually enjoyable.
1. Mix It Up a Bit
Don’t get stuck doing the same thing day after day. Having a variety of skills and responsibilities makes you way harder to replace, think Swiss army knife, not butter knife.
2. Do More Stuff You Actually Like
Focus on tasks you genuinely enjoy, especially the ones needing creativity and critical, ethical thinking. Plus, if you love what you’re doing, you’re naturally awesome at it, and that makes you closer to indispensable.
3. Be Great at Being Human
Sharpen your people skills, get great at collaborating, and actually listen when others talk. Human connection isn’t going out of style anytime soon.
4. Let AI Do the Boring Stuff
Why waste your life on tedious tasks like data entry or endless scheduling? Delegate these soul-sucking chores to technology. You’ll have way more time to focus on meaningful work, or just daydreaming your next big idea 😉
5. Stay Curious and Keep Learning
Tech moves fast. Don’t get left behind because you’re allergic to change. Stay curious, try new tools, and upgrade your skills regularly. A little learning goes a long way toward future-proofing yourself.
6. Brag a Little (Tastefully)
Make sure people know your value. Don’t be shy about sharing your wins, client love letters, or how your brilliant ideas saved the day. AI can’t brag, at least not convincingly.
7. Make Friends with AI
Here’s the scoop from my keynotes: AI won’t necessarily steal your job, but someone who knows how to use AI definitely might. So buddy up with the tech, learn how to leverage it, and become the AI whisperer everyone else envies.
8. Keep Making Human Friends
Don’t underestimate networking. Knowing people can save your professional life. Plus, who doesn’t want a safety net of smart, supportive colleagues and mentors ready to catch you when things get shaky?
9. Think Like an Entrepreneur
No, you don’t have to quit your job and start a startup. But thinking entrepreneurially, spotting opportunities, or innovating within your current role can make you super valuable and closer to becoming irreplaceable.
10. Creativity Is Human, Own It!
Creativity isn’t just a skill; it’s your birthright. Use it! Practice your creativity by occasionally using AI to create a funny cartoon, meme, or a playful opinion piece for your social media. Others will appreciate you for it, and exercising your creativity helps you spot opportunities that others might miss.
11. Bounce Back Quickly (AKA Build Resilience)
Change is inevitable, and sometimes annoying. Learn to roll with the punches, laugh at setbacks, and bounce back with style. Emotional resilience makes all the difference when dealing with job shake-ups.
Bottom line? Stay flexible and connected, keep things fun, and remember: adaptability and humor beats AI every single time.
In the end, remember this: tasks evolve, they can disappear, get automated, and also; new ones will pop up. Your true strength lies in your ability to adapt, innovate, and build meaningful connections. Diversify and optimize the tasks that define your job, curating them not only by necessity but also by how enjoyable and rewarding you find them. Remember this: AI might get good at tasks, but humans are great at adapting, innovating, and connecting. Stay curious, engaged, and open to learning, because the best way to future-proof yourself is to welcome change as an opportunity to grow.
______________________________________ About the author: As Creative Technologist, Rodger Werkhoven contributed to the development of DALL·E and the successful launch of ChatGPT through direct lines with OpenAI’s developers. As a widely requested keynote speaker at major global AI summits, he addresses the many challenges and abundant opportunities presented by AI’s emergence in society and industries worldwide. Werkhoven recently co-founded AI startup ANOTHER DIMENSION, dedicated to supporting the cultural sector, creative industries, architectural firms, and artists across all disciplines. He provides creativity, expert knowledge, advice on AI technology, and direct access to his extensive network of AI-savvy creative talent. The Financial Times recently recognized him as one of the 750 Game-changers shaping the Amsterdam tech scene. For inquiries regarding the art, please email: art@anotherdimension.rocks In Africa, Rodger Werkhoven is represented by AI In Nigeria. Email: hello@aiinigeria.com, phone: +234 2014489258
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