Every week, sometimes every day, my LinkedIn feed declares another profession or tech role “dead.”
Product management is dead.
Software engineering is dead.
Design is dead.
And I’ll be honest, these posts frustrate me. Not because I think AI isn’t changing work (it is), but because the conversation is so one-dimensional. It’s clickbait doom, without the nuance or history that would actually help people navigate what’s happening.
I’m writing this post because the truth is: your role isn’t dead - it’s evolving. And if we keep telling people their careers are over instead of showing them how to adapt, we’re doing real harm.
The “Death” Narrative
Why the headlines?
AI has automated parts of many tech jobs: generating code, writing requirements, summarizing feedback, creating wireframes.
Companies use AI as a justification for layoffs, especially in entry-level roles where routine, repeatable tasks can now be done faster by machines.
Some influential voices suggest large swaths of white-collar work will become unnecessary. That creates the impression whole careers are disappearing.
For product managers, the argument goes: AI can handle documentation, backlog management, competitive analysis, even ideation—so why do we need you?
For engineers, it’s: Copilot writes 40% of our code already. Soon, AI will handle all the “easy” tickets. Why hire junior devs at all?
There’s some truth here. The repetitive, time-consuming parts of these tech jobs are being automated. But that doesn’t mean the roles themselves are disappearing. Outside of big tech, product management is still emerging as a critical function. In banking, pharmaceuticals, telecom, and other industries, it’s just beginning to play a transformative role.
At the same time, it’s fair to acknowledge that some jobs are shrinking. Customer support agents, data entry clerks, junior copywriters, and paralegals are seeing routine tasks automated. The more repetitive or rules-based a role, the faster AI will absorb it.
That doesn’t mean the whole profession is dead. The value is shifting upward—toward creativity, strategy, leadership, and integration. For me, that’s the signal: don’t wait until your role is reshaped for you. Start reshaping your skills with AI.
History Has Seen This Movie Before
When the U.S. was an agricultural society, about 80–90% of people worked on farms. By 1900, it was 41%. Today, it’s under 2%.
The industrial revolution made it more efficient, so fewer farmers were needed. The rest of the population didn’t vanish. They evolved - into factories, cities, commerce, education, medicine, technology, and fields that hadn’t existed before.
Yes, that shift was disruptive. People lost jobs. Whole communities had to reinvent themselves. But over time, it created more industries, more jobs, and higher living standards than before.
AI is our generation’s Industrial Revolution. The tasks it replaces aren’t the end of the story, they’re the beginning of new kinds of work.
Here’s What I Am Doing
AI is changing work, but we all have a choice: resist and shrink, or adapt and grow. Here’s how I am evolving:
Learning by building small AI tools and automations: Don’t just read about AI. Use it. Build prompts, run experiments, integrate it into your workflow. I’m building apps with Replit IDE, testing no-code tools like Loveable, prototyping in V0, and running small experiments (like building an AI “icebreaker” agent in agent.ai in just 20 minutes to support a workshop). These lightweight projects keep me hands-on and able to prototype ideas quickly without heavy engineering lift.
Deepening domain expertise: The more you understand your customers, your industry, and your product, the harder you are to replace. I use NotebookLM to document research and continuously deepen my domain expertise.
Leveling up human skills: Influence, leadership, negotiation, and vision-setting are not AI strengths. Make them your edge. Communication, decision-making, and stakeholder alignment are harder to automate. I intentionally prioritize sharpening these skills, knowing they’ll carry even more weight in the AI era.
Looking for intersections: Roles like AI product strategy, AI governance, ethical oversight, and AI-enhanced design are emerging right now. I actively explore where my skills intersect with these new opportunities.
Continuous learning: Continuous skill-building is no longer optional. Take courses, join communities, and work on side projects that stretch you. I dedicate time each week to learning a new tool, testing prompts, or studying how others are applying AI. This habit keeps me current without being overwhelmed.
Shifting my mindset: I don’t define myself by a job title. I define myself by the value I can create in a changing landscape.
Why This Matters
If history teaches us anything, it’s that technology changes the how of work, not the why. We still need to solve problems, create value, and connect with people. AI is just changing the toolkit we use to do those things.
So the next time you see a post declaring your job dead, remember:
The farms didn’t die, farmers evolved.
Factories didn’t die, workers evolved.
And neither will the meaningful work we do.
The real story isn’t that AI is killing careers. It’s that the people unwilling to adapt will feel left behind. Those who learn, experiment, and lean into what makes them uniquely human will find their careers survive and thrive.