From articles in Time magazine to discussions on Reddit, the internet is brimming with folks asking with genuine curiosity, a heap of skepticism, and more than a hint of desperation: Is AI going to take my job?
The powerful capabilities of AI are both awe-inspiring and controversial, so it’s no wonder that everyone. Is. Talking. About it. And it’s also no wonder that people are worried about it. AI-powered tools promise efficiency, generating instant results that save massive amounts of human effort and resources — and they deliver.
The Promise …
6sense, for example, uses AI to tell our customers which accounts are in-market and ready to buy their solutions, eliminating the amount of research sales reps need to conduct on their own. AI is also behind our capabilities for informing sales reps which accounts to engage with, when, and how. We even offer a generative AI tool for crafting relevant email campaigns that keep prospects engaged while freeing up reps to focus on other tasks.
Automation means higher efficiency, which means less tedious work for revenue teams.
… and the Fear
But does less work mean smaller teams due to role reductions? Is AI going to take your job? We reckon AI won’t take your job… as long as you embrace it.
That was the topic of conversation in a recent — and powerful — episode of 6sense’s Revenue Makers podcast, featuring a conversation with AI consultant Nicole Leffer. She spoke with Adam Kaiser, 6sense’s VP of Brand and Growth Marketing, and Saima Rashid, our SVP of Marketing and Revenue Analytics, to discuss the transformative power of AI.
The conversation focused largely on how AI can enhance efficiency and elevate content quality without diminishing the workforce.
It’s definitely worth a listen.
Whether you check it out now or later, read on to learn why AI isn’t a job thief — but it is a necessary tool for future job security.
The Urgency of AI Adoption
The rapid evolution and adoption of AI has triggered a profound transformation in how we do work. As the Oliver Wyman Forum explains it, “Generative AI doesn’t just herald a surge in productivity; it invites a holistic re-examination of the very nature of work and the workforce and societal structures that support it.”
The publication conducted research and analysis on the impact of generative AI at work. Its findings and predictions include:
- A 40% increase in labor productivity by 2035 across developed countries thanks to the influence of generative AI
- $20 trillion (20% boost) to global GDP by 2030
- 300 billion work hours saved globally each year (equivalent to an average of roughly two hours per person weekly)
- More than 50% of employees saying they use generative AI weekly at work
- 96% of employees saying generative AI can benefit their jobs
The takeaways are clear: The benefits are already apparent, AI usage in the workplace is already happening, and the impact within the next decade on productivity and GDP is predicted to be huge.
The same report also discovered that:
- 60% of white-collar workers fear their roles will become redundant or automated
- 57% of employees report they are currently receiving insufficient AI training from their employer
- 30% of jobseekers have begun looking for a new role due to generative AI
The worry that AI is going to take away jobs is hard to ignore when the technology is already reshaping roles and responsibilities. Tasks that are repetitive and predictable are increasingly automated. The upside is that this allows employees to focus on more complex, strategic activities that AI cannot easily replicate, such as creative problem-solving and communication, with the downside being that many employees aren’t yet ready for such a drastic shift and the skills and knowledge required.
There’s more good news: It’s not too late to learn… yet.
According to Leffer in the Revenue Makers podcast linked above: “The world of AI is changing so fast… You should be [learning and adopting] it as soon as possible because it’s getting harder and harder to get caught up and learn. It’s much easier to learn the foundational elements and be continuously building as more stuff is coming out. I can’t imagine waiting another year to jump on this stuff.”
By getting comfortable with AI now, individuals and organizations can keep pace and adapt as new systems and capabilities emerge. Delaying engagement with AI risks widening the knowledge gap, making it more challenging to catch up later.
Understanding AI is increasingly becoming a critical component of job security, too. As employers seek to harness the benefits of AI, they will favor candidates who are proficient with AI tools. Early adopters of AI technology can also position themselves as leaders and go-to experts within their organizations, enhancing their career prospects.
First Steps: Engaging with AI Tools
So, you’re ready to make your career future-proof. Where does one begin familiarizing themself with AI?
In an interview with BizTech Magazine, Sanjay Sood, SVP and CTO at CDW, offered three key points for getting started with AI:
- Access your needs and see where AI might help (and where AI might already be assisting)
- Prioritize modest use cases for AI, as opposed to reinventing whole processes
- Find easy wins, like using AI for brainstorming
Another great suggestion for first steps comes from the Revenue Makers podcast. The first thing you need is an account for a tool like ChatGPT, says Leffer. Then you start to get to know it almost like you would get to know a person: Have a conversation with it.
Tell it something you want to do and ask how it can help. For example, the generative AI tool Writer.com offers this practical advice on starting with AI tools (presented with a touch of human editing):
Start with simple tasks: Begin by using AI to assist with simple tasks like writing emails, generating ideas, or summarizing text. For example, you can draft an email and then use AI to refine and improve it. This will give you a practical understanding of how AI can enhance your productivity.
Experiment with different use cases: Try using AI to set up drip campaigns, generate content for social media, or even create conversational agents for customer support. By experimenting with different use cases, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of AI’s potential applications.
Engage in AI communities: Join online communities, forums, and social media groups focused on AI. Engaging with like-minded individuals can help you learn from their experiences, share insights, and stay updated on the latest advancements in the field.
That’s some solid advice on AI, from AI.
The Importance of Leadership in AI Adoption
Just like any other cultural change at an organization, the drive of AI adoption begins with leadership. Leadership plays a crucial role by setting strategic priorities and modeling the use of AI.
Thought leaders at technology companies like Asana and Intel have shared insights for encouraging AI adoption, which include advice like making AI use fun, incentivizing use, and setting clear goals and strategies. But here are the first two things leaders can do to effectively drive AI adoption and integrate it into their organizational practices:
Model AI Usage
If you’re a go-to-market leader, according to Leffer, and you want your organization to start leveraging AI, you need to start learning how to use it yourself and model its use.
Using AI for your own work demonstrates that it’s nothing to be afraid of. Demonstrating trust in AI tools sets a standard and encourages team members to follow suit. Actively using AI solutions during meetings, presentations, and decision-making processes to showcase practical applications helps demystify them and normalize their usage.
Communicating Benefits and Addressing Concerns
Now that you’re walking the walk, you can talk the talk. Leaders who are leading AI adoption by example are positioned to articulate how AI can enhance efficiency, accuracy, and innovation. Communicating specific benefits, such as time savings, error reduction, and enhanced data insights, helps build a compelling case for AI adoption.
And have open discussions about AI, including addressing potential job impact and ethical considerations. Leaders should provide clear, balanced information about the advantages and challenges of AI, as well as expectations for AI adoption and use.
Okay, but is AI Going to Take My Job?
We’ve explained the stakes for embracing AI and enhancing your career skill set with a working knowledge of AI-based tools, and we’ve given you a jumping-off point for getting familiar with how it works. If you’re on board and willing to adapt, then you’re probably okay. If you resist the AI revolution, you might be in trouble. (Consider what happened to Blockbuster Video when it decided to stick with its old way of doing things.)
AI is here, whether you’re ready for it or not, and its impact on productivity is hard for business leaders to ignore: A recent study by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Harvard University compared the quality of the outputs between BCG consultants with and without access to AI tools. The results showed a 40% increase in work quality with AI usage. Those are the kind of results that business leaders want to see at their own organizations, so if your workplace isn’t adopting AI yet, it likely will be soon.
“If you’re not willing to use these tools,” says Leffer in the Revenue Makers podcast, “you’re not going to have a job for that long. But it’s not because the tools are taking your job. It’s because you refusing to use the tools is costing you your job. There’s a huge difference between those two things.”
Don’t Panic, Focus
While there is urgency for organizations to adopt AI tools and expectations for employees to adapt to the technology immediately to secure their careers, it’s not time to panic and try to learn every AI tool under the sun.
To future-proof your career, all you need to do is master one or two base tools that support what you already do. In the case of the content team here at 6sense, for example, that AI-powered tool is often Writer.com. And for many revenue teams, that’s 6sense.
