Will AI Take My Job?: Automation vs. Augmentation
If you’ve been following the news, TikTok, Instagram, or any other information outlet, you’ve probably wondered: Should I be worried about AI stealing my job? Google the question, and you’ll get mixed answers—some views will reassure you that everything’s fine, and others will make you want to throw your phone out the window.
But have you ever stopped to think about those “everything’s fine” takes? What if it’s actually an AI calming you down—so it can keep harvesting your attention and selling you things you don’t need?
As someone who’s worked in AI for more than a decade—back when it wasn’t cool unless you lived in one of a handful of tech hubs—I can tell you something you need to hear: AI is coming for your job. Just not the way you think. And that matters, because you can only make smart decisions about your future if you’re seeing the world for how it is, not just how you wish it were.
AI Is Your Ally, Not Your Enemy
Before we go any further, I want to make something clear: AI is your ally, not your enemy. I invite you to read my article about it. You don’t need to stop using the latest tools or be afraid of what’s ahead. The point isn’t to fear what’s coming—it’s to be aware of what’s being used, developed, and deployed in your company when it comes to AI.
Negative outcomes often arise from technologies that are genuinely impressive—not because someone set out to do harm, or because the tech itself is flawed. In most cases, problems emerge because we all assumed “someone else was already thinking about that.” That assumption makes us complacent. We disengage. And we miss the opportunity to reflect in advance on how a specific technology might impact us. So we end up surprised—like a corporate Halloween.
Automation vs. Augmentation: Two Very Different Futures
To help you stay ahead, here are two key concepts to keep in mind when deploying AI: automation and augmentation. Knowing which path you’re taking is critical to building a future where AI helps maintain—or even grow—income levels. More money! Yes, we like AI!
In one scenario, automation happens when we fully remove a task or job from an individual, and with it, their economic value. Over time, that means earnings will likely decrease. No thank you.
In the other, augmentation is when we use AI to increase a worker’s productivity, helping them do more with the same or even less time and effort. That means the worker can actually earn more by doing the same job—this time with AI as a tool.
I want to be clear: we can’t (and shouldn’t) try to save every single job from automation. That’s just not economically or strategically viable. What we can do is stay aware of which jobs and industries will be affected—from both the worker and business side—and approach the process with clarity.
The Real Risk of Gradual Automation
When we think about AI taking our jobs, we usually imagine a group of engineers sitting in a room with a list of professions and a checklist to automate them over a few coding sprints. Every now and then, articles pop up saying that AI will outperform most CEOs—so yes, my role makes the list too.
But the truth is, automation at scale doesn’t usually work that way. In my experience, AI gets implemented gradually—and often in ways that are hard to notice. One task here, another task there. That thing you didn’t like doing? Gone. That other one? Gone too. And by the time you look up, a significant portion of your role has been automated—and no one even mentioned it.
That’s exactly what makes mass automation risky: you don’t see it coming.
In my view, the real risk isn’t an entire career being deliberately automated—it’s that a meaningful portion of the core elements of a career are quietly taken over by AI.
Say a typical job has 100 utility points—that’s what defines your market value and the salary tied to it, whether at your current company or somewhere else. Now imagine that, over a few years, 30 or 40 of those points are automated. How likely is it that your career will retain its full value?
If you’re only doing 60% of what you used to, will you be paid 40% less? Maybe. It depends. Not all automation is the same. Let’s take a look.
Here’s a simple test you can apply to any role—yours included:
If the job becomes more productive, profitable, and valuable, it has been augmented.
If the job loses earning power or market value despite productivity gains, it has been automated.
Making Informed Decisions in the Age of AI
Now that you know the two main types of AI deployment—augmentation and automation—you’re better equipped to navigate the road ahead. Whether you’re a worker or a business leader, this understanding helps you adjust your strategy, your career, and your approach to AI.
Most companies haven’t yet made this distinction. So if you think your organization is considering AI (or expanding its use), feel free to share this article with them. It might help inform decisions that affect workers in your city, your country, and your region.
I believe in placing workers at the center of AI adoption. Augment when it’s smart. Automate when it’s necessary. But always reflect on why and when you’re doing each—so you can make thoughtful, strategic decisions about the future you’re building today.
Originally published in Spanish for Fast Company Mexico:
https://fastcompany.mx/2024/11/14/ia-trabajo-automatizacion-aumento/
