In countless workplaces and academic institutions, AI-driven transformations are no longer theoretical or speculative. The landscape has changed and continues to evolve quickly. For many professionals, this has sparked significant career and AI anxiety, as the reality of intelligent automation looms larger each day. While much of the conversation has revolved around “AI-proofing” one’s job or career, a potentially more empowering paradigm exists – cultivating career resilience in this new era.

The Psychological Impact of AI Uncertainty

Along with the technology, AI anxiety is reminiscent of the cultural apprehension that probably surrounded the Industrial Revolution. The pervasive fear of obsolescence, job displacement, and professional redundancy is becoming a popular preoccupation. Unsettling predictions about potential widespread job losses and an overriding sense of helplessness exacerbate these anxieties. Yet, it’s crucial to understand that these fears, albeit valid, only represent one side of the equation.

Embracing the AI Transformation

True career resilience doesn’t manifest in competing against AI but rather in forming strategic collaborations with it. The unique capabilities of AI are indisputable, but so are the distinctively human attributes that machines cannot replicate. Recognizing and embracing this dual nature can mitigate fears while leveraging AI’s undeniable technological prowess. Revisit my previous blog about AI-Related Career Adaptation Strategies for some ideas about adjusting and thriving.

Conducting a Personal “Resilience Audit” to Offset AI Anxiety

Navigating this technological upheaval requires that each of us identify and enhance/build on our uniquely human skills. Here’s a step-by-step guide to carrying out a resilience audit of your work-related skills:

• Inventory Your Skills: Make a list of the skills you use daily (e.g., reading and responding to emails, reading documents, writing reports, meeting colleagues and clients, etc.). Divide this list into skills that require human insight, creativity, and emotional intelligence versus those that can be automated.
• Identify Human-Centric Skills: Highlight skills rooted in complex problem-solving, ethical oversight, interpersonal communication, and creativity/innovation. These skills drive your professional narrative and cannot be easily replicated by AI technologies.
• Skill Amplification: Strategically amplify these uniquely human skills (e.g., mentoring junior colleagues, using time freed up by automation to have more meaningful, proactive, and productive interactions with clients and colleagues). Engage in continuous learning, seek mentorship opportunities, and use experiential learning, plus courses and workshops that sharpen these abilities. For more insights, see Think Your Job’s Immune from Being Replaced? Think Again.

Building Collaborative Competence

Instead of letting AI anxiety get the best of you, think of AI as a cooperative colleague who can work around the clock with you, not a competitor. By identifying areas where AI can effectively handle repetitive tasks, you can refocus your time on higher-order responsibilities. Here’s how to develop collaborative competence:

• Integrate AI Tools: In a private environment that won’t jeopardize the confidentiality of your employer or its clients, explore AI tools that enhance productivity. For example, getting familiar with tools that help with data analysis, scheduling appointments, streamlining tasks, or offering predictive insights is invaluable.
• Enhance Emotional Intelligence: Continue to develop communication and interpersonal skills that allow you to take on leadership roles, manage teams, and engage empathetically with a full range of stakeholders.
• Ethical Decision-Making: Do a deep dive so that you’re better prepared for roles centred around ethical oversight, where human judgment and nuanced thinking shine, finding ways to safeguard AI integration within societal guardrails.

Cultivating a Resilient Growth Mindset

As we continue to adjust, the psychological strain can be reduced by developing a growth mindset. Recognize change as an opportunity to evolve your role and capabilities. Embrace the potential AI offers to birth new career paths, roles, and sectors, allowing a net gain in job creation. Aligning with communities and networks can also provide a sense of belonging and access to shared resources and insights.

Navigating the Future with Confidence

The conversation around AI will continue to evolve; however, the essence of human contribution remains constant. Resilience lies in our adaptability and willingness to engage with these tools as allies. Strategically evaluating and enhancing your skill set, using AI as a digital collaborator, and nurturing a growth-oriented approach can take you beyond mere survival to thriving in this early stage of the AI era. In the end, while the technological shift is significant, it can also be a precursor to vast professional opportunities for those willing to conscientiously adapt and evolve.

Did this article spark any career or HR-related questions, plans or concerns?

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If you enjoyed this topic or are interested in ongoing professional and leadership development, you’ll also enjoy reading or listening to How to Be Resilient in Your Career: Facing up to Barriers at Work, my book published in 2023 by Routledge. It’s available in print, as an eBook, and on Audible.

More than career coaching, it’s career psychology®.

I/O Advisory Services Inc. – Building Resilient Careers and Organizations ^TM.