The Unspoken Fear: Are You Experiencing AI-Induced Anxiety?

The Fear is Real.

82% of working professionals worry their roles could become redundant with emerging tech advances as per the Future of the Skills Landscape 2024 study.

Between 400 million and 800 million individuals will be displaced by automation and need to find new jobs by 2030 as per McKinsey Study.

Take a moment to ask yourself candidly : In the past few months , have you found yourself wondering if AI could not just perform your job more effectively and efficiently, but also render your skills obsolete?

Welcome to understanding the topic of AI-induced anxiety.

AI induced Anxiety is —a modern-day dilemma affecting professionals across industries. This subtle, pervasive fear isn't just about losing a job; it's about losing relevance, identity, and a sense of purpose.

Let's face the reality—whether scrolling LinkedIn, Googling, or watching YouTube, we're bombarded with AI replacing jobs. This narrative spiked in the last two years with ChatGPT and generative AI, raising anxiety and sparking identity crises. We often try to escape this reality secretly, but now it's time to confront it directly, without any pretense or avoidance.

So after discussing with a small group of friends, I identified 7 common characteristics of AI-induced anxiety.

1.Workaholism: Some exhibited signs of overworking or hyper-focus on job security, leading to potential burnout.

2.Health Concerns: Mentioning stress-related health issues such as insomnia, headaches, or increased fatigue.

3.Feeling of Inadequacy: A pervasive feeling that "now no contribution is enough. I am not enough"

4.Difficulty in Decision-Making: Indecisiveness or hesitation when making career-related decisions, fearing they may not align with future industry trends.

5.Increased Information Consumption: Spending excessive time consuming news and articles related to AI and job automation, often without tangible action.

6.Neglect of Personal Life: Prioritizing work and skill acquisition over personal time and relationships, leading to imbalanced life.

7.Existential Doubt: Questioning one's career choice and broader professional purpose in light of technological advancements.

Acknowledging these feelings of uncertainty and inadequacy is the first step to reclaiming our purpose and resilience in the face of technological change. It's essential to recognize that as humans, these fears are natural, and accepting them is key to moving forward.

Before jumping on to the solution part , lets deep dive into why this occurred in the first place:

1.Overwhelming pace of technology development - The rapid evolution of AI and automation has outpaced our ability to adapt and prepare.

2.Media and Cultural Narratives: Media coverage often emphasizes job losses and the negative impacts of AI, contributing to a sense of fear and insecurity among workers. The cultural narrative around technological advancement has not always highlighted the opportunities and benefits that AI can bring.

3 .Lack of Comprehensive Workforce Planning: Many organizations and educational institutions did not sufficiently anticipate the disruptive impact of AI on roles and skills requirements. Even today most of the organisations are a mile away in being ready for the next 3-5 years to address this problem.

We're all in this together: How Do We Move Forward?

While AI-induced anxiety is a real concern, it doesn't have to be a debilitating force. Here are some actionable steps we can take to navigate this new landscape and emerge stronger:

Here's how:

1. Simultaneous Collaboration Focus : Both Human-Human and Human-AI is Essential :

Embrace and Ensure AI as a powerful collaborator, not a competitor. Explore how AI can complement your skills and automate mundane tasks, freeing you to focus on higher-level thinking and problem-solving is important and is often seen in many articles.

However, the real difference lies in recognizing the power of human-to-human collaboration. We must engage in open, deep conversations to tackle this transformative challenge together.

2. Develop Your Adaptability Quotient (AQ):

Continuous and High Velocity Reskilling is essential for developing your AQ. AQ measures an individual's ability to adapt and thrive in rapidly changing environments, particularly in the context of evolving job markets and technological advancements. A high AQ indicates strong skills in learning new concepts, adjusting to new situations, and embracing change effectively.

3. Build a Strong Support Network:

Connect with professionals in your field and related industries. Share knowledge, experiences, and anxieties. Together you can brainstorm solutions, identify emerging trends, and support one another through this period of transition.

🚀With these thoughts in mind, I'm excited to announce the launch of a new community project called ACT: Ai Career Transition Community starting July 1st, 2024!

🌟This community is designed to provide a supportive space where we counsel , guide and offer practical solutions to navigate the transition to an AI-driven workplace effectively. We'll be meeting weekly to discuss challenges, share resources, and develop strategies for thriving in the future of work.

🤝Are you ready to join the ACT Community?

If you're interested in shaping your future alongside other forward-thinking professionals, share your contact information through this -

Short Google Form: https://forms.gle/oZepS7u2FV7bvLDW6

You can also ping me in Linkedin Messenger . I'll be in touch with more details about our first meeting this month!

"Today's hesitation is tomorrow's missed opportunity. Let's use AI as a springboard for rapid reskilling and preparation for the future. Join us as we learn together.