Is AI going to take our jobs?

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The world of work has changed more in the last two years than it did in the previous 20.

As AI rewrites the rules of business, leadership, and creativity, a fundamental question remains: should we fear the machine, or is it time to embrace the transformation?

In the latest episode of Lead Out Loud, two leading experts at the heart of this shift discuss its ramifications for leaders: Archana Dhankar, VP of Marketing (EMEA) at US cybersecurty firm Proofpoint and a LinkedIn Top Voice, and Jochem Hummel, Associate Professor of Information Systems Management & Analytics at Warwick Business School. Together, they break down why AI isn't just a trend - it’s a total reimagining of professional value.

The most pressing concern for employees today is job security. Dr Hummel argues that we are witnessing a classic technology adoption pattern. While AI automates routine tasks, it simultaneously creates new areas for human-driven value.

"You need to find your own area where you can do something extra - where you can 'be' the AI," says Dr Hummel.

From predictive to generative - the new era of content

Archana, who studied for an Executive MBA at WBS, highlights that while AI has been around for decades in predictive and automated forms, the arrival of generative AI as changed the game.

For content creators, this has meant a "phenomenal" increase in production speed across video and written forms. However, Archana warns of a "growth mindset" requirement. To stay relevant, professionals must upskill immediately to understand these models rather than just using them superficially.

For a business to be truly "AI-ready," it needs more than just a subscription to a chatbot. Both experts agree that data is the foundation.

Dr Hummel emphasises the importance of "data ecosystems," where organisations integrate internal knowledge, such as decades of strategy decks or customer interviews, to train custom models. But without high-quality, silo-free data, AI remains a generalist tool rather than a specialist asset.

Advice for the next generation

Addressing the "silent game" where employees and students are afraid to admit they use AI, Dr Hummel encourages transparency. He likens AI to a calculator: "You need to understand the math in order to use a calculator."

The takeaway for leaders and workers alike is clear: the "cat is out of the bag". Success in the AI era won't come from hiding the tools, but from mastering them to amplify human ingenuity.

Is AI going to take our jobs?

From predictive to generative - the new era of content

Advice for the next generation

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