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Title: From May Day to Layoff Day? Rethinking Work in the Age of AI
As we mark May Day, a day once symbolized labor’s power, it marks a new crossroads. While some may view AI as a threat to jobs, I believe it’s time to reexamine our assumptions and adapt to this rapidly evolving landscape.
Firstly, let’s acknowledge that AI is not just about cost savings; it’s about unlocking capabilities that humans alone could never scale. The real power of AI lies in its ability to handle thousands of interactions simultaneously, instantly translating languages, and processing vast amounts of data. It’s not just an upgrade but a leap.
However, this shift also raises concerns about job security. A PwC survey found that nearly half of all companies using AI plan layoffs, with one in four CEOs expecting job cuts of 5% or more due to automation. The World Economic Forum projects the creation of 69 million new jobs by 2028, primarily in data science, AI operations, cybersecurity, and human-machine collaboration.
The real risk isn’t just automation; it’s inertia. Those who fail to adapt will be left behind, reading their own AI-generated pink slips. Organizations that win won’t simply “add” AI; they’ll fundamentally reorganize around it. We need to think beyond traditional departments and instead focus on output architecture: a support team where 80% of tickets are resolved by AI but the humans focus on empathy and edge cases.
New titles are emerging, such as Prompt Engineer, AI Product Owner, and Automation Strategist. These aren’t experiments; they’re your next key hires. Individuals who succeed in this new landscape will be those who retool, retrain, and take ownership of the shift. They won’t wait for change to reach them – they’ll run toward it.
As we move forward, I urge you to choose discernment over panic. This isn’t just about adopting AI for its own sake; it’s about making strategic decisions about what to automate, augment, and protect. Leaders must ask themselves: “Where does AI bring exponential leverage? Where does human empathy or judgment still dominate? How can we blend both – and reorganize accordingly?”
In conclusion, the future of work is not man versus machine but rather man with machine, working side by side. The time to act was yesterday; the next best time is now. If you’re clinging to the past, get disrupted. But if you reimagine your workforce, redesign your systems, and lead your industry into an AI-driven future, you might just be on the right track.
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Note: This article is based on the original text provided, with minor adjustments to create a cohesive piece that matches the title.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilsayegh/2025/05/01/from-may-day-to-layoff-day-rethinking-work-in-the-age-of-ai/
