{"id":91525,"date":"2026-02-02T08:00:40","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T13:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businessesgrow.com\/?p=91525"},"modified":"2026-02-02T08:00:40","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T13:00:40","slug":"ai-shaped-career","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businessesgrow.com\/2026\/02\/02\/ai-shaped-career\/","title":{"rendered":"Ten ways to create an AI-shaped career"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"AI-shaped<\/p>\n

Are you concerned about the AI impact on the job market? I mean … who isn’t?<\/p>\n

Nearly every bank and economic forecast is expecting some downturn in the job market, and we’re probably on the cusp of this change. The recent flurry of corporate layoffs was the highest in 20 years.<\/p>\n

At the same time, research shows that entry-level opportunities are shrinking, and new entrants to the job market face greater challenges than most.<\/p>\n

And managers are risk-averse because they expect workflows to change because of AI in the near future. Firms don\u2019t want to hire someone into a process they know will be redesigned.<\/p>\n

Today, let’s examine what we can do about it. Let’s assume profound change is at hand and we need to embrace an AI-shaped career. Here are some practical ideas to get ahead of the curve.<\/p>\n

Creating the AI-shaped career<\/h2>\n

Let’s start with some advice from my friend Azeem Azhar. Azeem is probably the most connected person I know, and so he’s able to tune into the priorities of a wide range of industries.\u00a0 and his supremely interesting Exponential View Newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Here is his advice:<\/p>\n

1. Ship end-to-end projects<\/h3>\n

\"100Choose or create multi-step projects with real stakeholders; practice owning the plan and delivering it to a finish line. If AI takes on more of the execution work, the value for humans lies increasingly in coordination around those tasks, specifically in orchestration. It\u2019s the ability to decide what needs to be done, in what order, and with which tools, and then keep a project moving.<\/p>\n

2. Grab managerial experience early<\/h3>\n

Run standups, lead sprints, and coordinate small teams if you have a chance. Volunteer to own small scopes like roadmap reviews and stakeholder check?ins, to build judgment and trust.<\/p>\n

3. Build domain fluency and networks<\/h3>\n

Learn how people in your field think and speak. It signals maturity and reduces perceived hiring risk. Read primary sources and talk to operators. Join a niche community or meetup and ask specific questions.<\/p>\n

4. Choose costly and credible signals, such as an MBA<\/h3>\n

Managers want evidence of commitment. If a degree isn\u2019t feasible, pick rigorous alternatives \u2013 selective fellowships, competitive certifications, or shipping a demanding public project.<\/p>\n

5. Use AI well<\/h3>\n

Build agents, audit outputs, and integrate them into real workflows. You could be the person who sets the AI standard at your next company \u2013 we\u2019re still early, and practical expertise is scarce. Track gains (time saved, error rates, throughput) and document playbooks so others can adopt them. Push for small, safe pilots and iterate fast.<\/p>\n

The implications for sales and marketing<\/h2>\n

Let’s get more granular. Most of the people reading this article are in sales and marketing. How do we have an AI-shaped career in that profession?<\/p>\n

6. Become impossible to replace in customer relationships<\/h3>\n

AI may automate tasks, but trust, empathy, and emotional resonance are still the human differentiators.
\nPeople want to buy from, partner with, and follow humans they feel connected to.<\/p>\n