Most professionals are worried AI will take their job. King Kong founder Sabri Suby argues the harsher truth is that AI will expose those who have been doing the same work for too long
I spend a lot of time thinking, talking and sharing about AI, and the future of work. And in doing so, I also hear what makes people stay up at night, worrying about jobs, and where to next.
Most professionals are secretly worried AI will take their job, but I think the harsher truth is that AI will expose those who have been staying in the same role too long, doing the same type of work. And while that may have felt comfortable over the years, now is the time to replace the moments of comfort with the days of learning.
Like George Costanza behind a clipboard in Seinfeld, for years, some people have mistaken being busy for being irreplaceable.
Being busy all day used to mean spending hours in meetings, retyping notes, doing admin and while they probably felt productive, they were actually keeping the admin wheels turning.
Years ago, these workers were invaluable at complex meetings, ensuring every decision was noted and followed-up on. Companies would rely on their precision, relationships and presence to ensure memos are dated and signed, important documents filed, and leadership meetings timely. And without a doubt, those skills did make a difference. But, times have changed.
AI is now tearing that need because it is already inside the tools people use every day to get work done.
As AI tools are becoming more advanced, this is now more than just admin and scheduling. It is writing, researching, synthesising, summarising, coding and completing work that once absorbed hours of paid time and entire teams.
If a task is repetitive, rules-based or dependent on gathering information, AI can probably help complete it faster and cheaper. And while there is an understanding that human oversight is necessary to ensure quality, it could mean one person can do that job, rather than a whole team.
The new way of working does not make every team member redundant, but it does mean value is moving towards judgement, adaptability and sharper commercial thinking. And not every team member has had exposure to that kind of work in their roles. For many, this is a wake-up and pivot moment.
Now is the time when curiosity and personal drive to upskill and learn matter. We are seeing the conversation moving towards whether you are becoming more valuable while work changes, not just whether AI will fully replace you.
If you’re in a job where AI can do what you do, please stop and think about how to spend all of your free time and energy finding ways to learn new skills.
We know everyone is time poor and this is easier said than done. However, the time commitment doesn’t have to be huge. Start small: watch tutorials, test the tools on your work, find examples of what good looks like and learn how to ask better questions until the technology becomes part of how you think, not just something you use.
Attend a free or low-cost workshop, talk to people in the AI industry. Find a way to learn that suits your personality. Upskilling is a ticket to the future of work, and as AI is already here, ongoing learning will become part of our every day.
The AI disruption won’t just pass by, no matter how much so many people wish it would. The tools can genuinely help get more hours back in the day, so for those reluctant to jump on the AI train, think – how can this make my life easier, while I focus on strategic, impactful work?
Soon enough, you might realise many tasks can be solved with a credit card and a Claude account now – you just have to take time to learn how it all works. Once your AI systems are in place, you’ll have more time to put your hand up to help solve complex problems at work, and build critical thinking skills.
I have built my career cutting through vanity metrics and focusing on outcomes that actually convert, so I look at AI the same way.
When I hire, I’m only looking for one thing: problem solving, and how people leverage AI to streamline processes, while thinking strategically.
I look for employees who understand that their value lies in what AI can’t deliver – setting strategies, building relationships and having real impact. And staying stuck in repetitive work won’t help you get there.
This is the reality we are living now, because most people can access the same tools, but not everyone can create a unique, tailored result. And that’s where your judgement demonstrates value.
Staying in demand on the job market does not require a dramatic career reinvention, but it does require curiosity, critical thinking and learning. It means spending time exploring how to optimise your workflows using AI to improve the speed, efficiency and commercial value you offer.
There will be people questioning and doubting the rise and capabilities of AI. And that’s only human. AI can’t replace relationship building, empathy and community. But it can take over your role, if it can streamline it. And it will happen a lot sooner than you think.
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