AI Can Do Your Job. It Just Can’t Be You.
Ok, so maybe AI can't do your job right now, but my point is: so what? Don't let fear cloud your vision of your worth.
There are two sharply divided sides to the jobs debate with AI: either you believe AI will complement people but won’t fully replace jobs, or you believe AI will become better at those roles and ultimately replace jobs.
On camp firmly sees how AI works today, and the other looks ahead.
Just twelve months ago, this division may have been about whether AI can write like a person. It can. That doesn’t mean that’s the best or most ethical use, but still, it can. How well it writes depends on prompting and customization.
Time to Impact
A big part of my business is delivering corporate workshops. I’ll spare you the commercial, but to set the scene, these are privately booked events by organizations wanting to train staff, align their teams, and establish clear guidelines for ethical use across the business.
During one of these recent talks, this “AI job replacement” division punched me in the gut.
Standing at the front of a room with 30 to 40 senior leaders and key staff, I shared a quote from Ethan Mollick about AI being better at certain tasks.
“AI is better than a lot of people in a lot of jobs, but not at their whole job.”
- Ethan Mollick, Entrepreneurship, Innovation and AI Professor, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
This lit a fuse.
Sharp discussions between executives led to an impassioned debate between the CEO and the COO on everything from the future of work to the future of their business and, ultimately, their people.
One thing stood out during this exchange: beliefs on the time to impact.
The crucial question isn’t whether it will or won’t, but people in their beliefs don’t connect on the “when”. No one can predict timing, BUT these conversations typically start with one side focused on the present capabilities, while the other side looks at where it’s going.
When an asteroid is coming toward Earth, you sort of know (hopefully) when it will hit. With AI, you don’t. You can only see its rapid pace. And when you’re in a leadership role, you constantly look ahead, trying to anticipate change. Will you try to slow or avert the coming impact, or will you adopt a strategy to survive it?
What if They’re Right?
Future-looking thinkers have it right. You can’t be so stuck in the here and now on this. And you don’t need to believe AI will replace lots of jobs.
Yes, you need to do what’s best for you today. Yes, you need to figure out how to make your role valuable. But you also need to consider your personal value beyond the job you have today.
I believe in healthy skepticism. It’s totally normal to roll your eyes when a tech CEO says their AI product will replace 50% of entry-level white-collar workers in a few years. Those statements play well across earned media.
Be skeptical, but don’t bury your head in the sand.
What if they’re right?
, founder of , posed this question on LinkedIn a few weeks back.
Would you do anything differently? Would you prepare for impact or just enjoy the shade?
Time to Reassess
When I experienced a layoff, I realized how much of my identity was tied to my job. It sucked. I went through a period of mourning my “old self” before realizing my value outside of a job.
It’s not the job that makes you.
The time to reassess what’s important to you (I mean REALLY important) is now, not tomorrow or next week. Stop working for 5 minutes. Close your eyes and reflect on things you enjoy.
What makes you happy? Find ways to enable more of those opportunities.
Being career-driven is a hard place to get unstuck from. It takes time and practice. If you don’t figure it out now, you’ll be forced to later.
Your Opportunity
This shift is an invitation to rethink what makes your work valuable. To rediscover your strengths beyond a job title. And to align your skills with what truly matters to you.
You don’t have to predict the future to prepare for it. You just need to be open. Curious. Willing to adapt.
The people who thrive won’t be the ones who know the most tools. They’ll be the ones who stay grounded in their values, lead with purpose, and keep learning one step at a time.
So ask yourself: What do I want to build? Who do I want to become?
This shouldn’t be about losing a job. It’s about finding your edge.
The future of work should be one filled with purpose and value for YOU.
And that’s a future worth looking forward to.
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
Let me know if you have an upcoming event. I’m happy to include it here.
June 17, July 16, & July 30, 2025 (Virtual) - Reimagine: A Summer Panel Series for Communications Professionals: Three conversations, by and for comms pros, on urgency, crisis, & burnout, the impact of "invisible" comms work, and the future of comms (and how we can shape it). This series is led by Natalie Moran, Founder of Comms Futurist.
June 18, 2025 (Virtual) - Do We Need Teachers in the Age of AI?: A rapid-fire 30-minute discussion on a topic that’s critical to the future of the communication profession. I’ll join Wayne Aspland and Ross Monaghan to discuss the future of teaching.
June 19, 2025 (Virtual) - 5 Essential Steps to Scaling AI in Your Organization: Learn a framework that Paul Roetzer, Founder and CEO of Marketing AI Institute, taught corporate, education, and government leaders.
June 27, 2025 (Sanford, Florida) - Navigating AI in PR: Ethics, Bias & Practical Application: This session explores how AI is changing the communications landscape and how PR professionals can respond ethically and effectively. I’ll join Dr. John Licato, Founder of Actualization.AI, to discuss AI implications in PR.
July 17, 2025 (Virtual) - From Vision to Action: A Pragmatic Session on AI: We'll be talking real-world applications of AI, and making it feel more doable and digestible for your entire team. We'll also have a robust Q&A to get your questions answered. I’ll join Natalie Moran and
on this webinar for communications leaders interested in leveraging AI.
Breuklander Communications Services
As Founder and Principal of Breuklander Communications, Bo helps leaders, teams, and entrepreneurs reduce workload, improve confidence, and enhance strategic decision-making through AI and automation.
AI Team Workshops: Tailored to build confidence, reduce risk, and empower your people to use AI responsibly.
AI Coaching: Cut through the noise and build real, relevant skills that reduce workload, boost confidence, and future-proof your work.
Speaking: Bo is a university instructor, conference speaker, corporate trainer, and workshop leader. Available for in-person or virtual events.
Executive Messaging: Propel your organization’s journey through crafting strategic messages that tell compelling stories.
Change Management: Bo is a university instructor, conference speaker, corporate trainer, and workshop leader. Available for in-person or virtual events.
Content Strategy: Craft stories that increase visibility and engagement across various digital channels, ultimately generating demand and advancing your business.
Agency Partnerships: Deepen your client impact and expand your offerings by delivering strategy, training, and innovative systems.
Visit www.bobreuklander.com to learn more.
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Stay ahead of the curve. We’re in this together.
Bo
Principal, Breuklander Communications
Adjunct Instructor, University of Tampa
"The future of work should be one filled with purpose and value for YOU." Agreed. Thanks for this thoughtful post, my friend. Sometimes it takes a period of questions and muddiness to land on what that could look like ... but if we can be patient and curious with ourselves, eventually, the picture will come into focus.