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Javier Pastor
Senior WriterComputer scientist turned tech journalist. I've written about almost everything related to technology, but I specialize in hardware, operating systems and cryptocurrencies. I like writing about tech so much that I do it both for Xataka and Incognitosis, my personal blog.
Alba Mora
WriterAn established tech journalist, I entered the world of consumer tech by chance in 2018. In my writing and translating career, I've also covered a diverse range of topics, including entertainment, travel, science, and the economy.
The message is clear: AI is coming for your job. This sentiment has been growing since the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT and was present even before that. The potential impact of AI on employment could be massive, although its effects haven’t been widely felt yet. However, tech company CEOs increasingly say that this is about to change.
Shopify. In April, Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke sent a memo to employees outlining a clear directive: “Using AI effectively is now a fundamental expectation of everyone at Shopify.” He emphasized that project managers should explore all AI tools available before considering expanding their teams or investing in additional resources.
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Fiverr. Similarly, Fiverr CEO Micha Kaufman recently shared the importance of adapting to AI in a memo to his staff. He warned them to be proactive in safeguarding their careers amid the rising influence of artificial intelligence. His message was direct:
“So here is the unpleasant truth: Al is coming for your jobs. Heck, it’s coming for my job too. This is a wake-up call.
It does not matter if you are a programmer, designer, product manager, data scientist, lawyer, customer support rep, salesperson, or a finance person–Al is coming for you.
You must understand that what was once considered ‘easy tasks’ will no longer exist; what was considered ‘hard tasks’ will be the new easy, and what was considered ‘impossible tasks’ will be the new hard. If you do not become an exceptional talent at what you do, a master, you will face the need for a career change in a matter of months.”
Duolingo. On April 30, Duolingo CEO Luis von Ahn shared with his staff his vision for the company to become an “AI-first” company. He emphasized that “AI is already changing how work gets done.” He added, “It’s not a question of if or when. It’s happening now. When there’s a shift this big, the worst thing you can do is wait.”
One significant step Duolingo plans to take is to “gradually stop using contractors to do work that AI can handle.” However, von Ahn reassured everyone that “Duolingo will remain a company that cares deeply about its employees. This isn’t about replacing Duos with AI. It’s about removing bottlenecks so we can do more with the outstanding Duos we already have.”
Echoes of the past. This sentiment isn’t new. The rise of ChatGPT has led to an increase in discussions about the impact of AI on the workplace, particularly in programming.
Over the past year, several prominent CEOs, including Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, AWS’ Mark Garman, and Microsoft’s Satya Nadella, have suggested that learning coding may no longer be necessary. More recently, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg added to this discourse by predicting that within 12 to 18 months, most code will be written entirely by AI, not just assisted by it.
Will AI eventually replace humans? Many experts believe AI will significantly improve productivity and allow people to achieve more than ever before. This is similar to the impacts of computers and the Internet, but there’s an apprehension that it’ll ultimately take over jobs.
Historically, some professions are more vulnerable than others during tech transitions. For example, Microsoft founder Bill Gates has voiced skepticism about the long-term prospects for human doctors and teachers. Meanwhile, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has described the implications of AI on employment as a “massive, massive issue.”
The historical pattern suggests that some professions may have unexpected futures.
Hairdressers. Between 1871 and 2011, technology created more jobs than it destroyed. A 2015 study focused on census data from England and Wales, allowing for an assessment of technology’s impact on employment. While jobs of a more physical nature declined in share, other professions emerged, or existing ones expanded. For example, the number of hairdressers grew significantly over these 140 years: from just 0.1% of the workforce in 1871 to 0.6% in 2011.
The impact of AI is undeniable. Several studies and forecasts preceded the current AI “revolution.” In 2018, the World Economic Forum (WEF) published a report that noted that automation would eliminate 75 million jobs by 2025 while creating 133 million new roles. By 2023, this balance shifted. The WEF’s 2023 report estimated that over the next five years, around 83 million jobs would be lost, and 69 million would be created.
Image | Simon Kadula
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