AI has rapidly become integral to how we work, learn, and plan our careers. For many of us, it’s becoming more difficult to imagine working without it. I recognize that the concerns about this technology are real, and I’m absolutely committed to using AI ethically and responsibly. But I’ve also seen firsthand what a powerful tool it can be, one that genuinely elevates how we work and the impact we can make.
View AI as a Partner
The first step to building real confidence with AI is to envision AI as a capable and trusted teammate and partner, and not as a tool that is trying to replace you.
We recently conducted focus groups with our graduate students — seasoned professionals balancing careers and course work — and they consistently described AI the same way: as a partner that helps them produce richer analysis and more meaningful work than they could achieve alone. That insight was helpful in how we guide faculty in this new landscape.
This perspective shift matters. Research shows that 91% of employees report their organizations use at least one AI technology in 2025, with 54% specifically using ChatGPT or generative AI. The professionals who learn to collaborate effectively with these tools are positioning themselves as highly valuable and adaptable assets in an evolving workplace.
As you plan your career trajectory, consider which skills and roles are gaining value and which tasks are becoming increasingly automated.
Career Planning with AI in Mind
AI isn’t going to replace all jobs, but the workplace landscape is already beginning to look different. Over time, organizations will gradually rely on more AI-automated systems to do certain tasks, while opportunities for AI-adjacent roles will increase.
As AI continues to evolve and play a more integrated and relevant role in many workplaces, students and employees should consider which skills and roles may soon be more valued and, alternatively, which tasks will be increasingly automated.
Roles Likely to Be Less in Demand
- Customer Service Operations — Chatbots, virtual agents, and sophisticated automated FAQ systems are reducing the need for basic customer service staffing in traditional call centers.
- Data Entry and Administrative Tasks — Scheduling, form completion, basic administrative support:
these are prime candidates for automation. I’ve even seen this in our own programming courses,
where teaching has fundamentally evolved because AI now handles many foundational coding tasks. - Standard Content Generation —AI systems can now generate drafts, forms, and routine reports. In one recent project, preliminary content uploaded into AI generated a well-designed survey with minimal edits needed, work that traditionally would have taken significantly longer.
Skills and Roles Gaining Value
- AI Collaboration/Engagement —Working effectively with AI tools, known as prompt engineering, has become an essential skill across job categories. With AI literacy identified as the No. 1 fastest-growing skill and 99% of HR leaders adding AI to job requirements, employers increasingly seek candidates who can apply AI capabilities to create better outcomes.
- Machine Learning Systems Management — Organizations need professionals who can design, manipulate, and maintain AI and machine learning systems.
- AI-Driven Data Analytics —Demand is growing for professionals who can leverage AI tools for advanced data analysis while maintaining critical oversight. This includes skills in data visualization and statistical interpretation and the ability to identify when AI-generated insights require human validation or deeper investigation.
- Change Management — Organizations seek professionals who can manage change at the organizational and team levels, evaluating AI’s impact across departments and integrating it into cohesive strategies aligned with overall business objectives.
Leveraging AI for Career Planning
AI offers refined capabilities for career planning if guided by skilled prompt engineering. Several relevant areas where AI can add value in career growth:
Strategic Career Mapping
Upload your résumé, credentials, and career highlights, and include unique career goals and interests. AI can analyze the gap between where you are and where you want to be, identifying specific skills, knowledge, and credentials you’ll need. It can also suggest alternative paths or adjacent roles you may not have considered based on your transferable skills.
Try this prompt:
“I’m currently a [your role] with [X years] experience in [your field]. I want to transition into [target role] within the next 5 years. Based on my attached résumé, what skills, certifications, and experiences should I prioritize to make this transition successfully? Also suggest any adjacent roles I should consider.”
Market and Salary Data
Query AI about career growth projections, salary ranges, and demand trends for specific roles or industries. Ask which skills are appreciating versus depreciating in value. While AI provides no guarantees and isn’t always completely accurate, it surfaces market dynamics that inform strategic planning.
Try this prompt:
“What are the salary ranges for [specific role] in [your location/region]? What skills are most in demand for this role in 2025, and which skills from 5 years ago are becoming less valuable? What’s the projected growth outlook for this career path?”
Competitive Positioning
Upload job descriptions for aspirational roles and ask AI to assess your current qualifications against stated requirements. Ask for actionable recommendations for closing skill gaps, whether through formal education, certifications, or “stretch” projects in your current role.
Try this prompt:
“I’m attaching my current résumé and a job description for a role I’m interested in. Please conduct a gap analysis: What qualifications do I already meet? Where are my gaps? For each gap, suggest specific, actionable ways I can develop that skill or credential within the next 6–12 months.”
Application and Interview Strategy
AI can help tailor your résumé for specific opportunities, identifying relevant keywords and optimizing for applicant tracking systems. Before interviews, provide company and role information to help you prepare thoughtful questions and understand where your expertise addresses organizational challenges.
Try this prompt:
“Based on my attached résumé, help me identify 3–4 core themes or strengths that run throughout my career. Then craft a compelling 2-minute professional story that explains my career progression and unique value proposition for [target industry/role].”
The most effective approach treats AI as a strategic research partner, one that enhances your thinking and planning but doesn’t replace the value of mentors, professional networks, or your own judgment about what’s right for your unique situation.
Navigating the Job Search in an AI Era
Many organizations now use applicant tracking systems to automate aspects of their hiring processes‚ even without AI specifically involved. Your application materials must be created with these systems in mind. This means aligning your résumé with wording from the job description, incorporating the same keywords that appear in qualifications or duties, and tailoring your résumé for each specific role. AI can work with you to clearly identify and convey your differentiator in the market through key words and phrases, an approach that is used by the applicant tracking systems. Beyond that, AI can assist your job search directly. Upload job postings and ask AI for guidance on revising your résumé to align with those positions or similar roles in your field. AI’s potential in assisting with well-aligned career growth is unlimited.
Continuous Learning Is a Must
AI technology evolves at an unprecedented pace, making continuous learning and exploration essential for career relevance. Fortunately, there are excellent options at multiple levels. Free resources from platforms like Microsoft, Google, YouTube, and LinkedIn Learning provide valuable, accessible ways to stay current with specific tools and emerging capabilities, and they’re genuinely effective for building practical skills. For those seeking deeper expertise, specialized master’s programs in AI, analytics, and business offer holistic curricula that integrate technical proficiency with strategic thinking, ethical frameworks, change management, and business application.
Both paths have merit; the most important thing is that you keep learning. Free resources keep you current and agile, while advanced degrees provide comprehensive frameworks for leading AI initiatives and driving organizational transformation. The key is choosing the learning approach that aligns with your career goals and the level of AI leadership you aspire to provide. I ask my team to block off non-negotiable time each week dedicated to continued learning in AI. This protected time to explore and learn ensures they stay current as the technology landscape shifts.
AI’s Impact on Workplace Processes
Regardless of industry or role, AI can likely support your work in meaningful ways:
- Employee productivity — Collaboration with well-designed AI systems can help you work more efficiently, in less time, and with better outcomes.
- Enhanced brainstorming — Beyond answering questions, AI offers suggestions you might not have considered‚ such as proposing comparative tables or alternative analytical approaches and recommendations.
- Recruiting and hiring — When used carefully with appropriate privacy and integrity considerations, AI can improve and streamline many hiring process aspects.
- Data analysis —AI provides tremendous power for work with data analytics, serving as a helpful tool at all levels for those who use data to make decisions and improve processes.
Getting Started: Build Your Comfort Level
For those hesitant about AI, my advice is to just jump in. Continue to dedicate time to explore and experiment. Start with low-risk, personal applications: researching health topics, finding recipes, comparing products, or managing your calendar. Many people assume AI requires coding or programming skills they lack. Once they discover it’s user-friendly and offers many ways to personalize the experience, they often start using it regularly. The barrier is lower than you think. Those who master AI collaboration today position themselves at the forefront of tomorrow’s workplace. The professionals who thrive will be those who view AI not as competition, but as a powerful ally in achieving work that was previously beyond reach‚ work that’s more insightful, more efficient, and ultimately, more human in the problems it solves.
Dr. Janet Duck is a clinical professor of management and organization at Penn State, with more than two decades of experience teaching online graduate education in organizational change, team performance, and leadership development. As faculty chair for the Online MBA program, she advances learning strategy, data-driven course design, and pedagogical innovations. With 15 years of industry experience in domestic and international markets, her work blends applied learning with real-world practice. Her continued work with professional graduate populations focuses on the integration of AI in higher education. Dr. Duck holds an MBA and a Ph.D. in her field.
