How Ordinary People Can Avoid Becoming Obsolete in the Age of AI

Author: Chloe
Date: Jun 13, 2025
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“AI won’t replace you—but someone using AI will.” 

Imagine this: 

Sarah, a freelance writer in Kenya, just lost a client to a competitor who uses ChatGPT to draft content 10x faster. 

Raj, an accountant in India, watches AI automate 80% of his routine tasks overnight. 

Maria, a retail manager in Brazil, scrambles to learn data tools her company demands now to avoid being eliminated.

This is not creating anxiety. This is what is happening in 2025 

A McKinsey study predicts that by 2030, nearly 30% of work hours could be automated however,the World Economic Forum predicts that over 85 million jobs may be displaced by 2025, while 97 million new roles could emerge 

The future belongs to ordinary people who know how to pair their humanity with AI — not just tech elites.

If you’ve ever thought: 

“Do I need a coding degree to stay relevant?”

“Will a robot take my job?” 

“Where do I even start?”

Then this guide is for you. 

🚨Which Industries Are Most at Risk of AI Disruption?

To understand how ordinary people can avoid being eliminated by ai, it is necessary for us to analyze which industries are most likely to be eliminated.

AI is shaking up just about every industry—but some are feeling the heat more than others. Is your field one of them? 

Admin & Office Support 

Reality: Automation tools like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Excel macros are already replacing basic data entry, transcription, and routine reporting roles. 

✅ Career Change Options (realistic & growing):

Project Coordination / Operations Assistant – still in demand, especially remotely 

Digital Marketing Assistant – growing need for content editing, basic SEO 

Virtual Assistant – broader scope now includes scheduling, social media, basic design

💡Skills You Can Learn Quickly: 

Google Workspace, Notion, Trello (task & project management) 

Canva (easy-to-use graphic design tool) 

Prompt engineering & automation with ChatGPT and Zapier 

 🎓 Legit Learning & Income Platforms: 

Coursera – Google Project Management, Meta Social Media Marketing 

LinkedIn Learning – Admin, time management, and virtual work skills 

UpworkFiverr– In-demand admin support freelance work 

Retail & Customer Service 

Reality: AI chatbots (e.g., Intercom, Zendesk AI) are handling millions of tickets. Amazon Go and self-checkout tech reduce demand for cashiers and floor staff. 

 ✅ Career Change Options:

E-commerce Support – assisting with product listings, returns, etc. 

Social Media Management – especially for small businesses 

Customer Success Specialist – still human-centric but tech-augmented 

💡Skills You Can Learn Quickly: 

Shopify, Etsy store setup 

Copywriting & ad writing basics 

Learning to “train” or monitor AI chatbots 

 🎓Legit Learning & Income Platforms: 

Skillshare – Social media, marketing, branding 

HubSpot Academy – Free certified courses in customer service & CRM 

PrintfulEtsy – Side hustle opportunities in print-on-demand 

Transport & Warehousing 

Reality: Self-driving technology (e.g., Waymo, Aurora) is testing on highways. Amazon Robotics, Ocado, and other logistics firms use smart warehousing systems to reduce manual labor.

✅ Career Change Options: 

Supply Chain Analyst (entry-level) – growing need for planners who understand data 

Inventory or Operations Coordinator – hybrid roles needing basic tech tools 

Remote Logistics Assistant – assisting with scheduling, inventory, and reporting 

💡Skills You Can Learn Quickly: 

Basics of Excel/Google Sheets + formulas 

Intro to supply chain & logistics (e.g., from MITx or Arizona State) 

Software like SAP (entry-level), Oracle NetSuite, or QuickBooks 

 🎓Legit Learning & Income Platforms: 

edX – MITx: Supply Chain Fundamentals 

Coursera – Arizona State: Supply Chain Management 

Jobspresso – Remote tech & operations jobs 

Freelancer – Admin/logistics freelance gigs 

If you are not working in the above-mentioned industries, then congratulations, you have a safe career for the time being. However, you also need to keep up with The Times in the AI era, because AI is not only replacing some positions but also creating new career paths, especially for those who are willing to improve their skills.

High-Value Skills You Can Learn 

 You don’t need to become a coder to thrive in the AI era. What you do need is adaptability, emotional intelligence, and the ability to work alongside AI — not against it. Here are the skills that will keep you valuable and irreplaceable:

In-Demand Human-Centered Skills 

Emotional Intelligence – Essential in leadership, sales, and mental health fields. 

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving – Something no algorithm can truly replicate. 

Creativity – From storytelling to design and marketing strategy, creativity is uniquely human. 

Digital & AI-Friendly Skills Anyone Can Learn 

Prompt Engineering – Learning how to talk to AI tools like ChatGPT to get better results. 

Data Literacy – Understanding and interpreting information, not just crunching numbers. 

Digital Communication – Managing tools like Zoom, Slack, Canva, and AI-powered design platforms. 

Actionable Strategies to Stay Irreplaceable 

After understanding what capabilities are important in the AI era, the next step is to formulate strategies to keep yourself irreplaceable.Here are some strategies might be helpful to you: 

Double Down on Your HUMAN Edge 

Identify where Critical thinking ,Creativity and Emotional intelligence strengths already exist in your work — and find ways to highlight them. 

Get "AI-Literate"

AI doesn’t mean learning how to build it — it means knowing how to use it wisely. 

What AI can and cannot do (e.g., ChatGPT writes emails but can't feel customer anger) 

How to spot AI bias (e.g., “Why did this hiring tool reject qualified women?”) 

Free Starter Tools and platforms: 

Tools: 

ChatGPT / Gemini: Draft emails, brainstorm ideas 

Canva Magic Write: Create social posts in seconds 

Otter.ai: Transcribe meetings while you listen

Top Free Platforms : 

KhanAcademy.org 

Google Digital Garage

YouTube (Search: “AI tools for beginners”, “prompt engineering tutorial”) 

Tip: Even 30 minutes a day can build momentum. Set a simple routine, like watching one learning video during lunch or after dinner. 

Reinvent Your Current Role 

Ask yourself one question daily: “What repetitive task can I offload to AI today?” 

Examples: 

Teacher: Auto-grade quizzes → Focus on struggling students 

Salesperson: AI researches leads → You build personal connections 

Small Business Owner: Chatbot handles FAQs → You craft growth strategies 

Use AI as your assistant, not your replacement.

🤝Build Your HUMAN Network 

AI lacks intuition. Your network doesn’t. Join local professional groups helps a lot. 

Remember: Machines find data. People find opportunities, so our relationships and soft skills are more important than ever — they’re the bridge between technology and real-world impact. 

3 Mindset Shifts to Beat Obsolescence 

1. Be Adaptable, Not Perfect Pivot fast is better than know everything. Staying flexible is your greatest asset. 

2. Focus on Problem-Finding AI solves problems — but only if you define the right ones first. 

3. Ethics Are Your Armor Challenge biased AI outputs. Your judgment matters in a world increasingly shaped by algorithms. 

It is important to formulate strategies, but it makes sense to take action and share these strategies. Small steps compound. The key is to start, rather than putting this post in your favorites and then forgetting it. 

You’re the Future

AI is a powerful tool. But you’re the craftsman. Nurses will heal with empathy no robot can fake. Artists will move souls with stories algorithms can’t create. You’ll thrive by doing what AI never can: being human. So this week, pick one strategy from above. Experiment, Adapt, Own your future. Because in the age of AI, your greatest asset is still you. 


About Chloe
Hi, I'm Chloe — a writer passionate about living well and staying aware in a fast-changing world.I care about wellness — fitness,food,how we protect our emotions and peace of mind. And I care about the world — from how tariffs affect the cost of your weekly groceries, to how social media shapes our mental health.If you're looking for a slower, more intentional way to live and think, you're in the right place.

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