Ep23: Will AI Steal My Job? | Jack Trama | Mindset Reinvented

Mindset Reinvented: AI and the Future of Work
Hosted by Jack Trama

I've got a really cool topic to talk about today, which is the uncertainty around AI and the future of work. I talk to a lot of people who have concerns about AI and how they feel their jobs might be in jeopardy.

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For me, as an entrepreneur, I'm always looking for ways to leverage technology. So AI isn't just big, it's huge. I'm super excited about the possibilities, but I also know that not everyone feels the same way. The other day I was chatting with a client who works in customer service. She was telling me about this new AI chatbot that her company introduced.

She said, "Jack, this bot can handle 80% of all customer inquiries. What if it gets even smarter? Where will that leave me? What if they don't need me anymore?" I totally get it. Many others I speak with are worried in the same vein. Now, I'm not in the same boat because I'm thinking about ways to leverage technology rather than worrying that it's going to replace me.

But I can absolutely relate to the feeling of uncertainty. It got me thinking about how many people out there are feeling the same way, wondering what it means for their jobs and their future. But then I started wondering, is this really how we should be looking at AI? Are we thinking too small?

Hear me out. What if instead of seeing AI as this job-stealing monster, we look at it differently? What if it's really not about AI versus humans, but AI and humans? I mean, if you really think about it, every time there's been a major technological shift, people have freaked out about their jobs disappearing.

Think about when cars came along. I bet there were a lot of worried horse and buggy drivers at that time. But if you look back, did cars really destroy jobs? No. They created a whole new industry. So maybe we're looking at this AI thing all wrong. Maybe instead of worrying about what jobs AI might take from us, we should be excited about what new opportunities it might create.

It reminds me of something a baseball coach used to say. Whenever he would face a really tough opponent on the field, he'd say, "It's all about mindset, kids. You can see them as unbeatable giants, or you can see them as a chance to up your game." As I reflect on that, I think that's exactly what we need here: a mindset shift.

So instead of a fixed mindset that goes, "Oh no, AI is going to take over everything," what if we adopt a growth mindset? What if we say, "Okay, AI is changing the game. How can we change and grow with it?" I'm seeing so many possibilities with AI, and it's not about replacing humans, it's really about enhancing what we can do.

For example, in my own business, I use AI to handle some of the repetitive and mundane tasks that used to eat up so much of my time. It's freed up time for me to focus on creative stuff and strategic thinking, the parts of our work that really need a human touch.

I'm seeing this pattern across so many industries, but I know what you're thinking: "It's all well and good for you, Mr. Entrepreneur, but what about the rest of us? How do we feel differently about it? How do we change our mindset when we're genuinely worried about losing our jobs?" That's a super valid question, and I'm sensitive to it. It's one thing to talk about having a positive mindset, but it's another thing entirely to actually do it when you're stressed out about paying the bills.

So let's get practical for a minute on how we can actually develop this growth mindset, especially when it comes to AI. I've come up with a few ideas:

First up, you've got to stay curious. I know it can be tempting to bury our heads in the sand and ignore all this high-tech AI stuff, but knowledge and taking action combined is the real power. The more we understand about AI, the less scary it becomes. I know some companies who have started "Tech Tuesday" sessions where all the employees gather in the conference room and explore new AI tools together. It's amazing to see how people's attitudes change from fear to excitement as they start to understand and play with the technology.

The second tip is to focus on what makes you human. All the skills that AI just can't replicate are what make us unique. Things like emotional intelligence or complex problem-solving. These are our superpowers, especially in the age of AI. And while we're at it, why not look for ways to work with AI rather than against it?

Maybe there's a chance to use AI tools in your current job. Not only could you make your work easier, but it can give you valuable experience for the future. I've spoken with employees in marketing departments, and when AI first came on the scene, there was some initial resistance, which I totally understand. But once they started to dig in and noticed how it can help them generate ideas for campaigns or analyze customer data in minutes instead of days, it was an absolute game-changer. These same marketing teams are now coming up with more creative, data-driven campaigns than ever before.

Speaking of the future, I think we should embrace this whole lifelong learning concept, because the world is changing fast, and the best way to keep up-to-date is by continuing to learn. You can take an online course - that's a great move. Attend workshops, learn a new skill. Heck, even hire a coach. You might discover a passion that you never knew you had.

The other day, my buddy Chris was feeling a bit overwhelmed by this AI stuff, so he decided to take a course. He signed up for this online training on AI basics. You know what was fascinating? When I heard from Chris, he said, "You know, Jack, that course was really fun. A lot of this stuff went over my head at first. But when I went back over it a second and third time, it started to make perfect sense." And he started to feel more excited about his future than fearful.

Can I let you in on a little secret? Even in my life, I tinker around with quite a few AI tools to see what they can do. It's not perfect, but it has been quite amazing. It's opened my eyes to possibilities that I've never considered before. I know someone who uses AI to help with product design, and it's not about replacing their designers, not by a long shot. It just helps them iterate faster and come up with more options. It's like having a super-smart brainstorming buddy that never gets tired.

But I get it. This AI stuff can be scary, especially if you're worried about your job. The future feels uncertain, and that's never a comfortable place to be. But I think it's important to remember to look at things through an adaptive lens, not a limited focused one. The most important thing is that we're all in this together. None of us have it all figured out, and none of us will have it all figured out. But we do need to take one day at a time and remember that change has always been a part of human history. Our ancestors faced the industrial revolution. They faced the digital revolution, and you know what? They adapted. And we're more resilient than we give ourselves credit for.

So here's what I propose: Let's look at this AI thing not with fear, but with curiosity. Let's see it not as a threat, but as a challenge. A chance to learn, a chance to grow, to become even better versions of ourselves. Maybe that means learning how to work alongside AI in your current job. Maybe it helps you develop new skills that can complement what AI can do. Or maybe it means taking the plunge and starting that business you've always dreamed about. And trust me when I say this, there has never been a better time to be an entrepreneur.

Here's the thing: AI might be smart, but it's got nothing on the human spirit, our creativity, our empathy, and our ability to adapt and grow. These, my friends, are our superpowers, and no AI can take that away from us.

So, what do you say? Are you ready to face this AI future head-on? To see it not as the end of something, but as the beginning of something new and exciting? I don't have all the answers, so I don't know what the future holds. But I do know this: Whatever comes our way, we've got this. We'll figure it out together, one step at a time.

And you never know. Maybe the next big AI breakthrough will come from someone who's listening to this podcast right now. Maybe it'll be you who figures out how to use AI to solve a problem that none of us have even thought about yet.

Thanks for hanging out with me today and diving into this stuff. I find it fascinating. If you've got any thoughts or questions about anything I've discussed today or just want to chat about it, let me know. You know where to find me. I'm very accessible and open to having conversations with any of you at any time.

Remember, the future belongs to those who are ready to grow with it. Just don't forget that, okay? This is Jack Trama signing off. Catch you soon, my friends. Be well.