As Artificial Intelligence sweeps through the workforce like the next big thing (because, well, it is), the question on everyone’s lips is a nervous one: Will AI take my job? Or perhaps a more optimistic one: Can it make my job better? To help separate fact from fiction, we spoke to Professor Jian Yang, Co-Director of the Data Horizons Research Centre and Deputy Director of the Applied Artificial Intelligence Research Centre at Macquarie University. She’s also one of the world’s top 2% most-cited scientists, so … when she talks AI, we listen.
AI: Job snatcher or saver?
According to Prof Yang, the most common misunderstanding about AI is that it’s out to steal your job in its entirety. “The most significant misconception about AI is that it will fully replace human jobs entirely, creating widespread unemployment,” she says. “In reality, AI is far more likely to automate tasks rather than entire jobs.”
So while robots may take your data entry, they’ll leave you your creative thinking, people skills, and problem-solving flair. “Ultimately, AI serves as a powerful tool to enhance human productivity rather than a replacement for human intelligence and judgment,” she says. The key, she adds, is AI complements human capabilities. And, makes room for more meaningful work.
Who’s most at risk … and who’s safe (for now)?
If your job involves repeatable, rule-based routines, it might be time to upskill. “Jobs involving repetitive, predictable tasks such as data entry, simple customer support queries, basic financial transactions… are most at risk,” Prof Yang says. But all is not lost—because the roles that require “nuanced human interaction, empathy, creativity, and critical thinking” are safe for the foreseeable future.
Think educators, nurses, social workers, and creatives—humans doing things that only humans can. As Prof Yang puts it: “Human beings are social animals.”
Forget AI Proofing .. start AI Partnering
So, can you AI-proof your job? Not really, says Prof Yang. But, you can learn to work with it. “Rather than trying to ‘AI-proof’ a job, it’s more beneficial to embrace AI by learning how to collaborate with it effectively.” And no, you don’t need a computer science degree to do this. “AI proficiency does not require deep technical expertise; instead, understanding how AI can augment your specific role is key.”
In short? The future of work isn’t man versus machine … it’s man and machine.
New jobs on the horizon
It’s not all disruption. It’s also innovation. “AI technology will undoubtedly give rise to entirely new job categories that we may not yet fully envision,” says Prof Yang. Already, we’re seeing titles like AI ethicist, prompt engineer and explainability specialist take shape. If you can navigate human-AI interactions, the future is looking bright. And employable.
Real people … real AI wins
Prof Yang acknowledges that AI can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not a “tech person.” But she’s also encouraging: “It’s never too late to start engaging.” She recommends starting with beginner-friendly tutorials or tapping into how others in your profession are already using AI tools. “The willingness to adapt and openness to learning new skills is ultimately more important than deep technical expertise.”
So who’s already nailing the AI + job mash-up? Educators and marketers, for starters. “AI can automate routine tasks like grading assignments and generating personalised quizzes, allowing teachers more time for innovative lesson planning,” she shares. In marketing, AI’s data wizardry is being used to create personalised campaigns that actually work—and actually satisfy.
And if you’re a teacher, hairdresser, retail worker or admin assistant, Prof Yang has a word of advice: start simple. “Teachers can use AI chatbots like ChatGPT to quickly generate interactive lesson plans… Hairdressers could leverage AI-driven scheduling apps… Admin assistants can integrate AI-based virtual assistants to automate calendar management,” she says.
In other words, the AI revolution doesn’t require a revolution in your skillset. Just a little curiosity, and a willingness to work with the machine.
So, will AI take your job? Probably not. But with the right mindset, it might just make you love it more.