Have you ever wondered whether AI might eventually replace you at work? I have, and I believe many others have asked themselves the same question.
Imagine spending fifteen or twenty years building your career, learning your profession, gaining experience and becoming good at what you do. Then, within a relatively short time, a technology appears that can complete some of your tasks in seconds. At first, it is fascinating. You discover how much time you can save, and you begin using it for different tasks. But eventually, you may start wondering what all this means for your future.
We hear almost daily about AI improving productivity, reducing costs and changing the way companies operate. Businesses are investing in new technologies, and employees are expected to adapt. Yet I wonder how much attention is being paid to the people behind these changes, particularly those who have spent most of their working lives developing skills that may no longer be needed in the same way.
Are people really worried about losing their jobs?
According to Gallup research published in September 2026, 27% of American workers were concerned that technology could eventually make their jobs obsolete. The figure was 20% in 2025 and 13% in 2017.
Interestingly, younger employees expressed greater concern than older workers. Among those aged 18 to 44, 34% worried about technological displacement, compared with 19% of employees aged 45 and above.
A Pew Research Center study from 2025 found that 52% of American workers were worried about how AI would be used in their workplaces. At the same time, 36% expressed hope about its possibilities.
These figures reflect something many of us probably recognize. We appreciate technology when it makes our work easier, but we also want to know what will happen to our jobs as companies begin using it more extensively.
There is some encouraging research as well. In 2025, the International Labour Organization estimated that one in four workers worldwide had jobs with some exposure to generative AI. Its analysis suggested that most of these jobs were more likely to change than disappear completely, although the effects would differ between professions.
Of course, some jobs will disappear, and others will change considerably. Nobody can promise otherwise. But it is also possible that AI will create opportunities we have not yet considered.
We have more experience than we realize
Think about an office administrator who has worked for the same company for fifteen years. She knows the suppliers, understands how the company operates, remembers previous agreements and knows how to deal with difficult customers. When something goes wrong, colleagues often turn to her because she knows what to do. AI can help her write emails, organize information and prepare reports. But her contribution to the company involves much more than completing those tasks.
The same applies to other professions. An experienced manager understands the strengths and weaknesses of the people in the team. A marketing professional knows the customers, the company’s history and what has worked in the past. An accountant may recognize an unusual figure immediately because years of experience have taught them what to look for. We sometimes forget how much knowledge we accumulate simply by doing our jobs. Some of it comes from education and training, but much of it comes from dealing with people, solving problems and learning from mistakes.
I think this is particularly important to remember when we begin comparing ourselves with AI. A system may produce an answer faster than we can, but someone still needs to understand whether that answer is correct, useful and appropriate for the situation.
Do we really need to learn every new AI tool?
One thing I find tiring about technology is how quickly everything changes. Just when we become familiar with one system, another appears. There are new features, new applications and new ways of completing work we already know how to do. For someone who works full-time, keeping up with all these developments can become exhausting.
I don’t think we need to learn everything. It makes more sense to begin with the tools that are useful for our own work.
If you regularly prepare reports, for example, you could explore how AI helps organize information or prepare an outline. If you work in marketing, you might use it to research a subject or compare ideas. If you manage a team, perhaps it could help with some administrative tasks. The important thing is to understand what the tool does and check the information it provides. AI can make mistakes, and we remain responsible for the work we submit.
Companies also have a responsibility here. If employers expect people to use new technologies, they should provide proper training and explain how these changes may affect different roles. Employees need time to learn, especially when they already have full workloads.
What if you begin losing confidence in your abilities?
I imagine it can be discouraging to watch technology perform something you spent years learning to do. You may begin questioning whether your experience is still valuable, even when you have always been good at your job. If this happens, try remembering some of the situations you have handled successfully during your career. Perhaps you solved a difficult problem, helped a colleague, managed a demanding project or prevented a costly mistake.
What helped you in those situations? Was it your knowledge, patience, experience or ability to understand what was happening?
These are skills you can continue using and developing.
It may also be helpful to speak with your manager about how your role is expected to change. Ask which skills the company will need and whether training is available. If the answers are unclear, you can still take steps yourself by exploring courses, learning relevant tools and keeping your CV updated. I also believe we should give ourselves enough time to learn. Being experienced in one area does not mean we must immediately understand something completely new.
Taking care of ourselves when the future feels uncertain
Worrying about employment can affect other parts of life. We have bills to pay, families to support and plans for the future. For many people, work is also an important part of their identity, so the possibility of losing a job can be frightening. When we cannot control what is happening around us, I find it helpful to concentrate on what we can do.
Spending time outdoors is one of my favourite ways to clear my thoughts. A walk after work gives me a chance to move, enjoy the fresh air and spend some time away from the computer. Research also suggests that regular physical activity can support mental wellbeing. I enjoy preparing herbal tea in the evening, especially when I want to spend some time reading or relaxing.
Chamomile is probably one of the best-known herbs for evening tea. It has a long history of traditional use, although scientific evidence for treating anxiety and sleep problems remains limited.
Lemon balm is another lovely herb, with a fresh lemon scent and mild flavour. It has traditionally been used for relaxation, and some small studies have reported improvements in stress-related symptoms with certain lemon balm preparations.
You can also try writing down the things that concern you and separating them into those you can influence and those you cannot. Perhaps there is a course you could take, a conversation you need to have or a new skill you would like to develop. Having something practical to work towards may help you feel more prepared.
What comes next?
When I think about how much the workplace has changed during the past twenty or thirty years, I realize how many things we have already learned to do differently. We adapted to computers, email, online meetings and countless new programs. Some changes were easier than others, but eventually many became part of our everyday work.
AI will probably bring even greater changes. Some professions will be affected more than others, and we will need to continue learning. I hope companies will also recognize that employees need more than instructions on how to use new software. They need clear information, training and opportunities to develop their skills.
As for those of us wondering whether our experience will still matter, I believe it will. We may need to use it differently, and some of us may eventually choose a new direction. But the knowledge we have gained, the people we have worked with and the problems we have learned to solve are all part of our professional experience.
I would rather use AI to build on that experience than spend my working days trying to compete with it.
A few things that may help
If you enjoy meditation, a comfortable yoga mat can be useful for spending ten or fifteen minutes stretching or sitting in silence after work. You don’t need to know yoga or follow a complicated routine. Sometimes it is pleasant simply to have a place where you can sit without your computer or phone nearby.
I would also recommend reading something encouraging, especially when work begins affecting your confidence.
Atomic Habits by James Clear is a practical book about developing habits through small, manageable changes. I think it is particularly relevant when learning new technologies feels overwhelming. Instead of trying to learn everything at once, we can concentrate on making a little progress each day.
The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins takes a different approach. Robbins, a motivational speaker and author, writes about overcoming hesitation and taking action. Her ideas may be useful when fear of making mistakes prevents us from trying something new.
Both books offer ideas we can apply in everyday life, whether we are learning a new skill, preparing for a career change or simply trying to feel more confident about our abilities.
