Back in my early agency days, I had a designer who was brilliant with QuarkXPress (remember that?). He could do layouts faster than anyone I’d ever seen. But then InDesign came along—and suddenly, his speed advantage wasn’t an advantage anymore.

I’ll never forget his reaction. Instead of resisting, he leaned into what couldn’t be automated. He became the guy who asked better questions, understood clients on a deeper level, and translated their vision into designs that resonated. The software made him faster, but his ability to connect and interpret made him invaluable. He kept his job not because he could outpace the software, but because he brought what the software couldn’t—judgment, creativity, and empathy.

Fast forward to today, and AI is doing the same thing to entire industries. It will do tasks better, faster, and cheaper than we can. But here’s the good news:

Your future doesn’t depend on the tasks you do—it depends on the value only you can add.

Here are three things you can double down on to keep your job—even thrive—when AI takes over the routine work:

1. Be the Interpreter. AI can create, but it can’t discern context the way you can. Learn to ask sharper questions, frame problems better, and apply insights to your unique audience.

2. Be the Human Connector. Relationships drive trust, and trust drives opportunity. AI doesn’t shake hands, look someone in the eye, or comfort them when life falls apart. You can.

3. Be the Strategist. Tools execute, but leaders decide what matters. Step back and focus on the big picture—where are we headed, and why?

If you’re feeling the pressure of AI in your industry, don’t fight it. Let it take over the things it does best—and then spend your energy growing the skills that no machine can match.

That’s how you keep your job. That’s how you make yourself indispensable.