AI Will Take Your Job: How to Future-Proof Your Sense of Purpose Through Entrepreneurship

This article discusses how you can future-proof your sense of purpose through entrepreneurship, as AI continues to evolve and take people's jobs.

Will AI really take your job?

A resounding Yes!

If you can articulate step-by-step how you do your job such that anyone who picks up your process document and follows it religiously will achieve the same results you would—with a very high degree of accuracy—I'm surprised you still have a job??. There's an AI out there that can replace you almost immediately, and it's only a matter of time before it happens??. So you need to read till the end because there's good news. AI cannot do anything of its own accord; it still needs hand holding from adoption to operation. The question now is, who will do the hand holding? It better be you??. But you're not sure how to go about it, which is why I wrote this article. So, again, read till the end.

Listening to Adnan Belushi's TED Talk from September 2018—five years ago, now, in the GenAI era—two things stand out:

1. The reality of how AI will take over a lot of work, because that's already happening right in front of us.
2. The panacea to this being entrepreneurship.

But not everyone can or will start a business, so what happens to those people whose jobs are taken over by AI, and they can't start their own businesses?

The Domains of Entrepreneurship

Enter Steve Gedeon, Professor of Entrepreneurship at the largest entrepreneurship program in the world—Ryerson University. Steve's description of entrepreneurship answers the question above. He describes entrepreneurship as:

"Looking at what is, seeing what can or ought to be, knowing that you can make it happen, and taking action."

Essentially, "a way of seeing, thinking, and acting." He posits that there are four domains of entrepreneurship:

1. A New Business Venture (as we all know it).
2. Inside a Company (Intrapreneurship).
3. Social Entrepreneurship (Changemaking).
4. Personal Development (Empowerment).

In essence, entrepreneurship isn't just about starting a new business. There's an applicable domain of entrepreneurial endeavour for everyone—professionals in employment, societal change-makers, and individuals seeking personal growth.

So when Adnan said humans will focus more on entrepreneurship when AI takes the reins of predictive operational work, he didn't mean that everyone will start a new business. Let's dive deeper into these domains.

1. New Business Venture

This is the traditional view of entrepreneurship—starting your own business to bring a new product or service to market. It's about innovation, risk-taking, and creating value. But starting a business isn't for everyone, and that's perfectly okay.

2. Intrapreneurship (Inside a Company)

Not everyone needs to start their own company to be entrepreneurial. Intrapreneurship is about bringing entrepreneurial thinking into your existing workplace. It's about being proactive, innovative, and taking ownership of projects within your organization. This mindset can make you invaluable to your employer and can future-proof your career against AI displacement.

For a hypothetical example, Fatimah, a project manager at a tech company. When AI started automating many of her routine tasks, instead of fearing for her job, she identified new areas where AI could be leveraged to improve company processes. She led an initiative to integrate AI tools into their workflow, enhancing efficiency and opening up new business opportunities. By being proactive and innovative, she not only secured her position but also advanced her career.

3. Social Entrepreneurship (Changemaking)

Social entrepreneurs focus on creating solutions to social, cultural, or environmental issues. They combine commerce and social issues in a way that improves the lives of people connected to the cause. This domain allows you to make a significant impact without necessarily starting a traditional business.

Take Opeyemi, for another hypothetical instance. Noticing how AI was causing job losses in his community, he started a non-profit organization that provided retraining programs for affected workers. By leveraging his entrepreneurial skills, he helped people adapt to the changing job market, making a positive social impact.

4. Personal Development (Empowerment)

This is about applying entrepreneurial thinking to your own life. It's about continuous learning, adaptability, and personal growth. By developing these skills, you make yourself more resilient to changes in the job market, including those brought about by AI.

Hypothetically consider Chinenye, a graphic designer. As AI began to encroach on her field, she took it upon herself to learn new skills like UX design and animation, areas where human creativity still holds sway. By investing in her personal development, she stayed ahead of the curve and expanded her career opportunities.

So, when Adnan said humans will focus more on entrepreneurship, he was referring to this broader perspective. There's an entrepreneurial path for everyone, regardless of whether you start a business.

The Entrepreneurial Way

Understanding and adopting entrepreneurship from this perspective can unlock the potential for rising above jobs taken over by AI. Adnan provides a framework for this in his TED Talk, and he calls it "The Entrepreneurial Way"—a step-by-step process of turning imagination into reality:

1. Imagine: Looking at what is, seeing what can or ought to be.
2. Experiment: Knowing that you can make it happen.
3. Learn: Taking action and learning from the outcomes.
4. Pivot: Adjusting your approach based on what you've learned.

I doubt that Adnan and Steve have ever met, yet intriguingly, they're essentially saying the same thing.

See and decide to take action; herein lie the fundamentals that AI cannot do for us but that we can do with AI. Let's dive deeper into each step.

Imagine

Can you imagine a machine imagining? Envisioning a future state that's better than the current one requires the ability to take initiative, which AI can't do on its own. Every single advancement achieved through AI or technology so far is a result of human imagination, not the machines themselves. If machines could take the initiative to make things better on their own, we'd have reached the hypothetical state of singularity—specifically through Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI).

Whether this will become a reality or not is a different question entirely, raising concerns over the divergence of intelligence. But as long as the "S" hasn't come between the "A" and the "I," we're still dealing with a complex orchestra of algorithms and data beneath a fa?ade of intellect. The true essence of imagination and visioning can only be captured by humans.

You might be thinking, "But AI can make the process easier." I agree that AI can fuel the process, but only as a tool in the hands of the main actor—you. AI can assist in developing ideas, but the initial spark—the imaginative leap—comes from us.

Experiment

Now, let's talk about experimentation. This is the bridge between imagination and reality. Experimentation is about testing your ideas in the real world, taking calculated risks, and embracing the possibility of failure as a learning opportunity.

AI can process vast amounts of data, simulate scenarios, and even suggest optimal solutions based on patterns. But the decision to step into the unknown, to try something that hasn't been tried before, is inherently human. When you experiment, you're exercising your creativity and courage. You're saying, "I believe in this idea enough to invest time, resources, and effort into seeing if it works."

Moreover, experimentation involves nuances, emotions, and ethical considerations that AI isn't equipped to handle. For instance, when developing a new product or service, you might need to consider cultural sensitivities, customer emotions, or societal impacts—areas where human judgment is paramount.

Another hypothetical example, consider Tomiiwo, an engineer who saw the potential for AI to optimize energy consumption in homes. Instead of waiting for someone else to act, he developed a prototype smart meter that learns from user behaviour. His willingness to experiment led to a successful start-up that not only saved energy but also reduced costs for consumers.

Learn

Learning is the next crucial step. When you experiment, outcomes may vary—you might succeed, or you might fail. Either way, there's a wealth of knowledge to be gained. Learning in this context isn't just about analysing data; it's about internalizing experiences, adapting your mindset, and perhaps even redefining your goals.

While AI can analyse results and identify patterns through machine learning, it doesn't "learn" in the human sense. It doesn't feel the sting of failure or the thrill of success—emotions that drive us to persevere and innovate. It doesn't reflect on experiences to develop wisdom or adapt its goals based on personal aspirations. Human learning is multidimensional—it involves cognitive, emotional, and social components that machines can't replicate.

When we learn from our experiments, we grow. We develop resilience, enhance our skills, and refine our vision. This process empowers us to make better decisions in the future. It's a personal evolution that AI cannot undergo. In entrepreneurship, this human capacity for growth is what enables us to navigate uncertainties, connect with others, and create meaningful change—areas where AI, despite its processing power, falls short.

Think hypothetically about Linda, who launched an online store using AI-driven analytics to predict market trends. Her first product line didn't sell as expected. Instead of giving up, she analysed customer feedback and market data, learning valuable lessons about consumer preferences. She adapted her offerings accordingly, and her business began to thrive. Her ability to learn and grow from failure was key to her success—something AI couldn't do on its own.

Pivot

Finally, we come to pivoting. Pivoting is about being flexible and responsive. It's recognizing when something isn't working as planned and having the agility to change direction. This doesn't mean giving up on your vision; rather, it's about adjusting your approach to achieve your goals more effectively.

AI operates within the parameters set by its programming and data inputs. It doesn't have the consciousness to decide to pivot. It can suggest alternatives based on data, but it doesn't weigh factors like passion, purpose, or long-term vision in making decisions.

Pivoting requires a combination of humility and confidence—humility to acknowledge that your initial plan might not be perfect, and confidence to take bold steps in a new direction. It's a strategic move that blends logic with intuition.

For the last hypothetical instance??, when Mark realized that his AI-based app wasn't gaining traction with its intended audience, he didn't scrap the project. Instead, he pivoted, repurposing the app's technology to serve a different market segment that was underserved. This strategic shift led to significant success. His ability to pivot was crucial—a decision rooted in human judgment and adaptability.

How Should You Navigate Your Career in the Face of AI?

So, how should you navigate your career in the face of job losses due to AI? The answer lies in embracing what makes us uniquely human—our creativity, visioning, and ability to manage uncertainties. As Adnan Belushi points out:

"AI will take over the repetitive, predictive jobs, which leaves us with what AI cannot do—creativity, visioning, and managing uncertainties. This can be summed up as entrepreneurship."

Sal Khan, the founder of Khan Academy, adds another layer to this discussion:

"AI will not replace your job; someone who uses AI will replace you."

This means that those who leverage AI as a tool to enhance their capabilities will outpace those who don't.

Applying Entrepreneurial Thinking

Regardless of your role or industry, you can apply entrepreneurial thinking by:

• Being Proactive: Don't wait for tasks to be assigned. Seek out opportunities to add value. Look at what is and imagine what can or ought to be.
• Embracing Lifelong Learning: Continuously develop new skills, especially those that AI cannot easily replicate. Experiment with new ideas and learn from your experiences.
• Cultivating Creativity: Engage in activities that stimulate your imagination and innovative thinking. This keeps you ahead in areas where AI cannot compete.
• Building Resilience and Adaptability: Develop the ability to adapt to change and bounce back from setbacks. Be ready to pivot when necessary.

By adopting this mindset, you become the person who uses AI effectively, rather than the one replaced by it. You position yourself as an invaluable asset—someone who can navigate the complexities and uncertainties that AI cannot handle alone.

Conclusion

See and decide to take action; herein lie the fundamentals that AI cannot do for us but that we can do with AI. Understanding and adopting entrepreneurship in its various forms allows us to leverage AI as a tool rather than fear it as a replacement.

AI is a powerful tool, but it's just that—a tool. The human capacity for imagination, experimentation, learning, and pivoting is irreplaceable. By embracing the entrepreneurial way, you can future-proof not just your job but your sense of purpose.

So, will AI take your job?

Yes, if you let it.

But if you choose to harness your uniquely human traits and embrace entrepreneurial thinking, you'll not only secure your place in the future but also thrive in it.

Now, it's your move. Will you be replaced by AI, or will you be the one who uses it to elevate your career? The choice is yours.

References:

• The Entrepreneurial Way | Adnan Belushi | TEDxNewPlymouth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR-bUfga_EE&t=436s

• Entrepreneurship and Digital Transformation Course | Steve Gedeon | SCE Academy https://www.sce.academy/course/digital-transformation-and-entrepreneurship

• Brave New Words: How AI Will Revolutionize Education (and Why That's a Good Thing), Salman Khan, 2024. https://www.amazon.com/Brave-New-Words-Revolutionize-Education/dp/0593656954

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