If you’ve read the news in the last two weeks, you know all about it.
It’s coming. AI. Job loss. Reskilling. Armaggedon.
But this isn’t theoretical anymore:
✔️ Anthropic’s CEO warns that AI could wipe out half of all white-collar entry-level jobs in 1–5 years.
✔️ U.S. unemployment could spike to 10–20%, driven by mass automation.
✔️ CEOs are already evaluating which jobs to hand over to AI – from analysts and coders to copywriters and consultants.
✔️ Meta, Microsoft, Walmart, CrowdStrike – all making staff cuts tied to “AI realignment.”
This isn’t about junior roles anymore. It’s climbing up the ladder fast.
And if you think a good few seconds about it, you know these news are not only about job losses. They’re also about these companies signalling to the market that they are all over AI (which they hope will be reflected in their market value).
Judging by the headlines, we’re all screwed. But some of us are more screwed than others. (Ain’t life a joy, hey?)
Quote of the Week
“You can’t just step in front of the train and stop it. But you can still steer the train.”
Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic
Why Middle-Aged Professionals Should Pay Attention
If you’re 40+ with a white-collar career, here’s what this means for you:
1. Entry-level job loss means mid-career collapse.
Once junior roles disappear, the need for supervision and mentorship dries up. No ladder means no promotions and fewer roles to manage.
2. Your salary makes you a target.
Companies are incentivized to replace experienced (read: expensive) workers with AI agents that can work 24/7 at a fraction of the cost.
3. You might be under-skilled for the AI era.
Mid-career staff are “collectively under-prepared.” If you haven’t touched your workflows since 2022, you’re behind.
4. Hiring freezes are real.
Axios reports that companies now require managers to prove why a job can’t be done by AI before approving a new hire.
5. The ladder is disappearing.
If you’re banking on corporate promotion to secure your next step… reconsider. It’s not just harder , it’s structurally broken.
Why I’m Still Betting on Humans (and What I’m Doing About It)
Up until July 2024 I had never used ChatGPT. Now I can’t live without it.
Yesterday I spent 2 hours doing a presentation that would have taken me 3 days a year ago. This is a massive improvement.
I talked about this in Threads last week. I firmly believe that:
1. AI can’t read a room
2. AI has no cultural intuition.
3. AI won’t make people feel SEEN.
4. People are craving REAL human connection.
So we need to take full advantage of our human gifts.
We must use our humanity.
We must monetize our emotional intelligence.
Here’s What I’m Doing (and What You Can Do Too)
The goal is to steer. Here’s how:
- Step 1: Become the “AI Super-User”
Set a 90-day learning sprint. Pick 2–3 tools relevant to your role (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Claude Workbench).
Don’t wait to be told. Volunteer to use these tools internally. Be the integrator, not the replaced.
“Work with AI, not against it.”
- Step 2: Double-Down on the Human Edge
AI can automate tasks. But it still sucks at:
- Navigating nuance
- Coaching junior talent
- Building trust with clients
- Making judgment calls in grey areas
Roles that depend on relationship, emotional intelligence, and context will remain valuable longer.
Your value is in what AI can’t replicate. (Be the fucking human in the room, will you?)
Double down on that.
- Step 3: Become the Human in the Loop
The future isn’t human or machine. It’s human with machine.
Step into the “Human in the Loop” (HITL) role – guiding, verifying, correcting AI output.
Examples:
- In finance, reviewing AI-generated models for compliance
- In law, finalizing contracts and checking for risk
- In HR, ensuring AI screening doesn’t amplify bias
- In marketing, editing content for tone and resonance
- In education, tailoring AI-generated lesson plans to student needs
- In consulting, translating AI insights into context-specific strategy
You don’t have to build the AI. But you do need to be the one steering it.
AI can be fast. But fast isn’t always right.
Be the accuracy layer. Be the risk buffer. Be the human that ensures quality.
That’s leadership.
- Step 4: Get Certified, Fast
The data is clear: professionals who invest in micro-credentials (especially in communication + AI literacy) are more resilient during tech disruptions.
Skip the MBA. Learn to prompt better. Understand the tools.
Stack these small wins now — so you’re ready when the next big shift lands.
- Step 5: Build Financial & Career Optionality
Be prepared:
- Emergency fund = power
- Freelance/consulting arm = plan B
- Active LinkedIn + strong network = visibility
The people who survive this shift aren’t the ones who wait.
They’re the ones who build early resilience.
- Step 6: Increase Your Human Interaction
In times of Zooms and Google Meets, I’m doubling down on in-person meetings and physical networking. Tomorrow I’m off to a full day of meetings and next week I’m super excited about a Storytelling Workshop with a bunch of other creators.
Interesting fact — the more I meet with clients, the more I invoice. Go figure, huh?
Own It: You Are Not Replaceable. But Parts of You Might Be.
I hate fearmongering. But I’d be a fool to ignore that AI is changing the landscape. Fast.
The worst thing you can do is pretend it’s not happening.
Here’s what I know:
✔️ The market rewards judgment.
✔️ You can’t compete with an algorithm — but you can do what it can’t.
✔️ Human context, ethics, empathy, and strategic oversight are now your edge.
So stop trying to be better than AI.
This is not a hall pass to bury your head in the sand either. If you can’t beat them, join them, remember?
Start becoming the person who trains, oversees, and corrects AI.
Become the captain of the ship.
Let’s go.
Your Weekly Action Plan: Don’t Just Learn AI. Lead It.
- Go to AI Academy (it’s free) — Spend 2 hours this week learning something new.
- Identify one task you do weekly that could be automated — and start prototyping.
- Share one insight or experiment on social media. Let people know you’re in the loop.
- Audit your calendar: What % of your time is spent on high-trust, high-context work?
- Start a micro-credential this week (AI prompting, ethics, analytics).
I don’t want you to become a bot. I’d much rather you make AI your bitch.
And speaking of doubling down on human connection…
I’m hosting a FREE Q&A session this Saturday 3pm UK / 10am ET on Zoom. Think of it as a private IG Live. Respond to this email and I’ll send you the calendar link. I promise not to tell anyone if you put some wine in your coffee cup.
Also, in an effort to increase the humanity, my free 30-min strategy sessions are back in the calendar for June. You can book here.
Have some coffee and fuck the bots,
Claudia
