#14 Secure The Runway

Dear reader,

A new year has begun, and my mission remains the same: to maximize heroes and minimize victims in this age of AI and the broader Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). The stakes are higher than ever. Just last week, I made yet another emergency call after receiving a heartbreaking “goodbye” message from a friend. That’s the third such call in three months—three too many.

I share this to emphasize how crucial it is that we stay aware. The world is teetering toward a black swan event we’re simply not prepared for. And it's a collective black swan event: it will hit you, your family, your friends, your colleagues. That is why you'll see me use the word "tidal wave" as well. But there is something we can do, and that is to spread awareness. Without awareness, there is no upfront action, only re-action.

Awareness buys you precious time—like a runway for takeoff. If you’re reading the signs, you know entropy is on the rise, politics and economics feel increasingly unstable, and the media’s relentless noise can drive you to switch off entirely. Unless you’re a frog, you can feel the water starting to boil.

Yes, life is demanding. There’s no point obsessing over what you can’t change. However, we must urgently focus on what we can change in the face of this AI tidal wave—particularly in the workplace. Change, of course, is not one-size-fits-all. Let’s ground ourselves in the latest findings from the World Economic Forum to explore what this might look like for you.

Salvi

Introduction

For those who like tabular data, here's an overview of capabilities and jobs impacted by AI now, and in the future, as per the WEF's Future of Jobs Report 2025.

Let's start with the bottom group of people from the overview and work our way up.

1. Not impacted yet? Prepare.

If you haven’t yet felt the impact of AI in your role, don’t be complacent. AI is advancing rapidly—soon also outperforming humans in decision-making, creativity, and even certain caretaking tasks. Add to that emerging robotic dexterity (cooking, cleaning, building, surgery) and blockchain-based automation (potentially disrupting government, notaries, banking, insurance, even judiciary roles).

Also, as people from other sectors will reskill towards "safe" job roles, basic supply and demand dictates that those roles become more competitive, salaries may drop, and your window of opportunity narrows. That is unless the demand for those roles would skyrocket and somehow could not be filled by AI.

Key takeaway: Stay informed and start planning now for how to stand out. Being proactive buys you options before the herd arrives. Trust me that there is a black swan at the end of the runway even if you can't see it clearly yet.

2. Being augmented? Differentiate.

In many fields, AI won’t entirely replace jobs but will instead assist the people doing the job. The verb augment is often used in this context, in contrast to (fully) automate but I see it as a textbook example of so-called doublespeak. I mention it here so you can recognize it when people use it.

Your real competition could be colleagues who do harness AI. In a deflationary market, entire companies might fold. Or there could be sweeping headcount cuts, and you’ll need to handle the toughest 5% of tasks 100% of the time—an exhausting prospect.

Alternatively, you might be shifted from a “back-stage” role to a “front-stage” one. That’s less about technical skills and more about soft skills: empathy, negotiation, relationship-building. But not everyone is a natural salesperson or client-facing person. If that’s not your forte, you need to either adapt or consider pivoting before it’s forced upon you.

Key takeaway: If AI can automate a big chunk of your job, your future value lies in human-to-human interactions and tackling complex, creative tasks. Lean into what AI can’t do. You are halfway down the runway, you can notice the black swan if you look for it.

3. Being challenged directly by AI? Transform.

For some, AI is a direct competitor—think developers, tactical consultants, research labs, business process outsourcing, training firms. I would go as far as saying that anyone who spends more than 80% of their time behind a keyboard no longer has a job. If they still have a job, that just means the roll-out of AI is a slow process. They still have a job because of inertia.

Imagine playing a game of Cluedo (or “Clue”): hold a “post mortem” on your role or business before it’s too late. Pretend it’s already out of business—“X is gone, replaced by Y”—and then imagine what “Y” looks like.

Next, rally your leadership to invest aggressively in that “Y” while there’s still time, capital, and clear thinking to do so. AI will not wait. This is your chance to shape the next iteration of your work and ensure you’re the disruptor, not the disrupted. I picked "they still have a job because of inertia" to not trigger your flight/fight response. Stay composed, but rally your leadership to act now.

Key takeaway: Embrace a bold, forward-looking mindset. If you see your current offering is under threat, build the next big thing—before someone else does. You are at decision speed for take-off, with the black swan clearly in sight. Turn it into something you do know by studying it, turn it into white swan. Then you know how it will move: how fast and in what direction. Now you are prepared to face it: shred it or avoid hitting it. You have control.

Conclusion

As we step into a future that feels more uncertain than ever, remember that awareness and adaptability are your strongest allies. In my next article, I’ll dive deeper into designing your own “Y” and carving out a resilient path forward. Until then, stay alert, stay creative, and don’t let the boiling water catch you off guard.

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