What Happens When AI Can Do Your Job?
In a world where artificial intelligence is advancing at breakneck speed, the question on everyone’s mind is: what happens when AI can do my job? OpenAI researcher Karina Nguyen believes the answer lies not in resistance but in adaptation. While AI continues to automate repetitive tasks and even encroach on more sophisticated domains like coding, Nguyen sees human soft skills—creativity, emotional intelligence, and interdisciplinary thinking—as the true differentiators in the workforce of the future.
The AI Evolution and Its Limits
Nguyen, who previously worked at Anthropic before joining OpenAI, has seen firsthand how AI models are rapidly evolving. On a recent episode of Lenny’s Podcast, she reflected on her shift from front-end engineering to AI research, realizing that AI’s growing proficiency in coding meant she had to rethink her career trajectory.
But despite these advancements, Nguyen asserts that AI struggles with the very things that make humans unique. “Emotional intelligence, creativity, and people management remain some of the hardest skills for AI to replicate,” she explained. Even in the AI field, she wishes researchers were more adept at “connecting the dots across different fields.”
The Industries AI Could Unlock
The accelerating capabilities of AI models are leading to new opportunities rather than just job displacement. Nguyen sees AI as a key to unlocking previously bottlenecked industries—especially those reliant on intelligence-heavy processes. “I’m thinking about healthcare,” she mused. “Instead of going to a doctor, I can ask ChatGPT or give it a list of symptoms to determine if I have a cold, flu, or something else.”
The cost of AI is also dropping, making smaller models just as effective as their larger counterparts. This efficiency will likely lead to even more innovation, streamlining industries that once required human expertise but were constrained by cost or accessibility.
Embracing Human-Centric Skills
So, if AI is improving at such a rapid rate, how can humans future-proof their careers? The answer, according to Nguyen, lies in embracing and honing skills that AI cannot easily replicate. Leadership, mentorship, and creativity will continue to be invaluable. “People management will stay because emotional intelligence is one of the hardest things for AI to master,” she emphasized.
For those worried about AI taking over their roles, Nguyen’s own journey offers insight. As AI began mastering front-end engineering, she pivoted toward research and mentorship. In other words, rather than competing with AI, she found a way to work alongside it, leveraging her uniquely human capabilities.
Rethinking the Future of Work
Nguyen’s reflections offer a roadmap for anyone wondering how AI will reshape careers. As automation becomes more sophisticated, the future of work will demand a shift in focus—from purely technical skills to the human qualities that machines struggle to emulate.
Even as she helps develop AI models that might one day automate aspects of her own job, Nguyen remains optimistic. If AI eventually replaces her research role, she envisions a new path—perhaps as a sci-fi writer or museum conservator. “I feel like I have a lot of job options,” she said. “I would love to be a writer. I think that would be super cool.”
The key takeaway? The world is changing, but those who adapt—those who lean into creativity, connection, and emotional intelligence—will not only survive but thrive in the AI age.
