The fear of becoming obsolete is a rising source of anxiety as artificial intelligence emerges in the workplace.
Staying strongly connected with others will help, experts say.
Earlier this year, Paul discovered via media stories that his business group had been targeted for job cuts.
This was the second time after his technical management role was restructured in 2024.
The communications highlighted AI integration as a cost-saving tool. “They say it’s not about firing people, but hey, my whole team will go,” Paul said.
The timing could not have been worse. He and his partner are expecting a child and recently purchased their first house.
“I’ve worked so hard to stay up to date and relevant, lots of tech training, ironically including AI, and I’ve advocated for the strategy that management roles can be assisted by AI, not replaced by them.
So I feel a bit stupid now,” he added.
Exacerbating Paul’s distress has been the very public nature of the cuts.
Headlines such as “Plans to replace thousands of public service jobs with AI” or quotes from politicians calling the overhaul efficient have felt insulting.
The experience Paul is having has been described as Fobo – fear of becoming obsolete. It is a very real fear and a growing workplace anxiety.
People worry their roles will become irrelevant due to technology, and many aren’t sure how to prepare for the shift.
Paul sought help to figure out his career next steps and cope with the emotional fallout.
Several constraints became clear. His profession has been hit hard by cutbacks, with more expected.
He could retrain or start in another industry but has no financial buffer to do so.
Preparing for the AI Shift
In April, MIT Future Tech researchers published results of empirical examinations of AI’s real world impact. They say predictions of doom are not accurate or helpful.
The takeaway is for workers to view AI developments as a rising tide – you can see it coming and have time to prepare.
Paul is already doing this by seeking help and thinking ahead.
Experts suggest that as AI automates more technical and analytical tasks, uniquely human capabilities become more critical.
Dr Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic and Dr Reece Akhtar recommend cultivating curiosity, humility, and emotional intelligence.
Curiosity means seeking new learning, perspectives, and interests. Humility involves growing self-awareness and inviting honest feedback.
Emotional intelligence – the ability to connect, show empathy, and communicate with care – will only become more valuable.
Alongside active preparation, two other strategies are recommended: network and collaborate, and seek out the best organizations.
People are more likely to succeed when they stay strongly connected with others. For Paul, this has meant prioritizing talks with colleagues, attending events, and trying reverse mentoring.
With his team, Paul needed to show genuine compassion for their distress while managing his own anxiety. A recent piece recommends that managers talk directly about AI.
Actively seeking organizations that use AI strategically and checking company culture is key.
Because AI tends to accelerate organizational factors, pre-existing culture can make or break an AI rollout.
The best strategy for managing Fobo is validating that the fear is real, while embracing and enhancing uniquely human super-talents.
Staying connected and seeking opportunities with organizations using AI well will help us stay above the tide.
