The growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) has raised new questions regarding work and careers among technology industry specialists. As AI tools are increasingly used in companies, many tasks are being automated at a high speed. This causes concern among people who have spent years mastering and perfecting their skills about how their role will change in the future.
AI is capable of completing tasks in minutes that would take humans a long time, such as writing and analyzing code, as well as generating various outputs. The speed and accessibility of these tools have amplified anxiety among corporate sector employees regarding job stability.
Many tech sector workers feel insecure, fearing that changes brought about by AI in existing tasks may also affect their own employment in the future.
Concerns of a Developer with 15 Years of Experience
One developer from Bangalore shared his worries and experiences on the Reddit platform. This specialist, who has been in the technology industry for about 15 years, stated that he no longer feels the same confidence in his knowledge and skills. He noted that throughout his career, he worked at eight companies and spent about six months at each workplace.
Amidst the rapid development of AI, he attempted to launch his own SaaS startup, but the venture was unsuccessful, forcing him to look for work again.
Feeling That Knowledge and Experience Are Outdated
In his Reddit post, the developer wrote that despite years of coding and accumulated experience, he no longer considers his knowledge and experience as relevant as before. The accelerated adoption of AI tools has exacerbated this anxiety. He also mentioned that he has struggled with imposter syndrome throughout his career. Simply put, it is a state where a person does not consider themselves as competent as others perceive them to be, constantly asking: 'Am I really as good as others think?'
The developer recounted that although he always presented himself as highly capable to others, he repeatedly felt like a failure in project execution. Some managers motivated him to improve results, while others questioned his talent. He felt similar emotions even when being laid off, but subsequently secured a new position with greater authority.
Limitations of Non-IT Experience
The developer's problems are not limited to AI. He expressed a feeling of being stuck in the IT field because he lacks extensive experience in areas outside of technology. Furthermore, he does not have enough capital to start his own business. He also admitted that he has not discussed these concerns with his family, who still view him as an extremely successful person.
What Did Reddit Users Say?
Other Reddit users shared their experiences in response to the developer's post. Some noted that they also experience career uncertainty and imposter syndrome despite having significant tenure. One user with 15 years of experience reported going through a similar situation. Another advised focusing on earning money for the time being and avoiding excessive contemplation about the future. Yet another user recommended participating in Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) projects, believing that creating something useful using current experience could help restore self-confidence.