In last month’s article, I discussed the impact of AI on jobs, with the key takeaways that:
• Jobs involving repeatable and predictable tasks are especially at risk
• New jobs involving overseeing or supporting AI are heavily in demand
• Those who are adaptable will be able to survive the AI onslaught.
In this article, I will give you ideas for how to be adaptable to this new technology so that you can protect your career from being outsourced to AI. I encourage all of you who feel that your jobs are at risk to take action now.
First, learn about AI and think about how AI could impact your job. If you haven’t already done so, play around with different AI chatbots and see how they function in terms of your job. Take note of the specific strengths and pitfalls of AI so you can see what parts of your job could be replaced and what parts can’t.
Next, think about the things you do on the job that AI can’t do or can’t do very well. These parts of your job are gold—they will be safe from AI intrusion.
Here is a partial list of job skills where humans are superior to AI currently:
• Reading human emotions and being sensitive to feelings
• Coming up with truly innovative ideas
• Dealing with unpredictability
• Doing quality control, troubleshooting and repairing
• Doing work that requires high security
• Defining problems and making judgment calls
• Designing systems based on comprehensive knowledge
• Dealing with complexity and rapidly changing environments
• Handling issues of human safety and well-being
• Using artisan skills to make things by hand
• Seeing the big picture and understanding all the moving parts
I would recommend you shore up your skills in the above domains where humans are needed. By strengthening your competencies in the areas that AI can’t do well, you can thus protect your livelihood.
This reflection exercise is important because only you know the unique pieces of your job and the needs of your employer. However, it would be wise to do an additional check to make sure that all your bases are covered. Here’s the irony: The solution often lies within the problem. In this case of AI overtaking jobs, you can use AI to protect your job.
Ask AI what parts of your job are the most likely to be automated by AI in the next two to 10 years. These are the parts that you will want to spend less time doing because they are in danger of automation.
Ask AI which parts of your job are the least likely to be automated by AI in the next two years. These are the parts where you will want to spend time developing and upskilling because they cannot be done easily by AI.
Ask AI what action steps you need to do, including training or coursework, in order to protect your role from AI.
Ask a human what they think you would need in order to upskill. Remember, AI is limited to what it knows from online databases. A human will know more about current developments in the industry than AI does.
These suggestions will give you some solid ideas for an action plan to adapt and thrive, even with AI in the picture. You can absolutely flex around AI, flex the skills that AI can’t do, and in turn become indispensable to your employer.
Anne Chan is a career consultant and licensed California psychotherapist. She specializes in helping people find happiness in their careers and lives. You can reach her at an*********@***il.com © Anne Chan, 2026
