As AI continues to reshape business operations, many professionals are left wondering where they stand. Companies are investing in AI-powered solutions to drive efficiency and productivity, but employees face a more personal question: How will AI affect my career, and what happens if I don’t adapt?
The reality is that AI isn’t just transforming businesses; it’s redefining career growth itself. However, success in an AI-driven world won’t necessarily belong to those with the deepest technical expertise, rather those who know how to work with AI, leverage its insights, and apply it to business challenges.
So to stay ahead in your career, it’s essential to move away from the debate about AI and jobs, and try to understand how it can be a catalyst for new career opportunities. Once you do, you’ll recognize that embracing AI could actually help you elevate your career.
Impact of AI in Business: Jobs vs. Careers
The conversation around AI in the workplace is often framed as a debate about job security. However, AI isn’t just changing what people do; it’s transforming how careers are evolving. And while AI may automate certain tasks, it is also creating opportunities for anyone who understands how to adapt and leverage it effectively.
“It’s important to remember that a career is different from a job, or from a task,” says Steven Geofrey, an associate teaching professor in Northeastern’s Online Graduate Certificate in AI Applications program. “And so, one of the particular affordances of AI is how it can open up time in your day to work on other things you ordinarily don’t have time for. And those are the times where a career can really get shaped.”
Think about your own role. If AI could take over the most repetitive or time-consuming parts of your job, how would that change your day? For example, if you’re a marketing professional you’ve likely spent hours manually analyzing customer data to identify trends. Now, AI-powered analytics can free up that time for you to focus on more high-level strategy. Or, if you work in education, AI could help automate administrative tasks like grading assignments or analyzing student performance data to give you more time to focus on mentoring students.
While AI may remove certain tasks from your plate, it can also help you focus on the work that truly moves your career forward. So, what’s the bigger risk—AI taking jobs, or missing the chance to use it to your advantage?
Recent hiring trends suggest the need for leaders who can navigate AI-driven environments and make data-informed decisions is on the rise. According to our analysis of job postings, several key skills related to AI are projected to see significant growth in leadership job postings over the next five years:
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- 12.4% increase in artificial intelligence skills
- 25.8% increase in data analysis skills
- 26.8% increase in computer science skills
- 19.9% increase in machine learning skills
- 9.1% increase in emerging technology skills
This shift in demand highlights a clear trend. Organizations are offering advancement opportunities for professionals who can bridge the gap between AI and business outcomes. But what does this look like in practice? Here are a few ways AI in business can help you elevate your career.
How AI in Business Can Elevate a Career
Unlocks New Career Pathways
While AI isn't here to take away all knowledge work, it is likely that AI systems will take on more tasks that have traditionally been handled by humans, potentially reshaping certain roles in the process. For example, entry-level data entry positions are becoming less common as AI-powered automation tools handle large-scale data processing with greater speed and accuracy. However, this isn’t to say that there aren’t new opportunities.
"It’s really to be seen how the nature of work at large will change," Geofrey says. “There’s a real potential for technological changes to open up possibilities for people to pursue careers that may not have been as feasible or accessible before.”
Instead of manually inputting data, that data entry specialist could transition into a data integrity analyst role to ensure AI-driven data processing systems are accurate and functioning properly. They could also move into automation coordination, working alongside AI tools to oversee workflow optimization rather than performing repetitive tasks themselves.
Shifts Work Toward Higher-Value Tasks
AI is fundamentally changing the way professionals spend their time, shifting their focus away from tedious, repetitive tasks and toward higher-value work that requires strategy, creativity, and leadership. Rather than replacing human workers, AI serves as an amplifier, handling routine processes so you can concentrate on problem-solving, decision-making, and innovation.
For example, HR professionals who previously handled time-consuming resume screenings can now rely on AI-driven applicant tracking systems. This frees up time to focus on employee engagement, leadership development, and workforce planning. So this shift doesn’t just make individual jobs easier; it can elevate your career potential by enabling you to take on more strategic roles and responsibilities.
Enhances Decision-Making
The ability to make quick, informed decisions has always been a competitive advantage. However, in an AI-driven business landscape, it’s becoming a necessity. With access to vast amounts of data, many are often overwhelmed by information overload. But AI can analyze these complex datasets in real time, identify patterns, and deliver actionable recommendations. This helps you to make smarter, faster decisions with confidence.
“The kind of decisions that have to be made now, in this era of AI, are really higher-level decisions,” Geofrey says. “It requires a more zoomed-out, bird’s-eye view of an entire workflow, which also gives you a perspective on what parts of the workflow could be improved or made more efficient.”
For example, supply chain managers can use AI-driven forecasting models to predict demand fluctuations, ensuring that inventory is optimized while reducing waste and costs. Even executives can use AI-powered dashboards to assess company-wide performance to help them to respond proactively to emerging challenges and opportunities in an organization. So by integrating AI into decision-making processes, you can move beyond guesswork, making smarter, more strategic choices that drive business growth and career advancement.
How to Turn AI into a Career Advancement Tool
Simply being aware of AI’s impact isn’t enough; you need to actively integrate AI into your work. Whether you’re looking to streamline tasks, enhance decision-making, or position yourself for leadership, AI can be a powerful tool when used effectively.
- Try to Use AI in Your Current Role
Adapting to AI doesn’t mean overhauling your job overnight. The key is to start small by identifying ways AI can improve efficiency and free up time for more valuable work. Many professionals already use AI in some capacity for tasks like email filters, scheduling assistants, or data analysis tools. By proactively exploring AI-powered automation in your field, you can reduce time spent on repetitive tasks and focus on projects that have a greater strategic impact.
For example, a financial analyst who previously spent hours manually compiling reports can now use AI-driven tools to automate data aggregation and generate real-time insights. Instead of getting bogged down in spreadsheets, they can focus on interpreting trends, advising leadership on financial strategies, and identifying new investment opportunities. By leveraging AI to handle routine tasks, they not only enhance their productivity but also position themselves for higher-level decision-making roles within their organization.
- Prioritize Skill Building in an AI-Powered Workplace
As AI continues to shape the workplace, technical skills alone won’t be enough to stay competitive. While AI excels at processing data, detecting patterns, and automating tasks, it still requires human expertise to provide context, strategy, and ethical oversight. Professionals who develop a well-rounded skill set—including critical thinking, data literacy, and AI governance—will have a significant advantage in an AI-powered workplace.
One of the most valuable skills in this new era is critical thinking and strategic decision-making. AI can analyze vast amounts of data, but it takes human judgment to interpret insights and apply them in meaningful ways. In addition, data literacy will likely continue to be important in the workplace as AI is only as good as the data it’s trained on. Professionals still need to understand how AI processes and interprets data—along with its limitations and biases— to maximize their impact in their role.
Consider the findings from an analysis of job postings data, which projects that by 2030, the following skills will be among the most in-demand for AI-driven roles:
- Machine Learning
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Data Analysis
- Automation
“More people are going to need to develop skills around data literacy,” Geofrey says. “Even a company that starts using AI, which may not have been a super data-intensive company before, still requires a big transition in terms of datafying what they've been doing so that it can be used in the context of AI.”
- Embrace AI as a Pathway to Leadership
Successful leaders in an AI-driven workplace must be able to evaluate AI-generated insights, make informed strategic decisions, and communicate AI’s value across teams. While AI can provide data-driven recommendations, it takes human expertise to interpret the results, consider ethical implications, and implement AI in a way that drives business growth.
Therefore, leaders who can balance AI-powered efficiency with human judgment will be best positioned to drive innovation and navigate the evolving demands of their industries. For that reason, companies are increasingly prioritizing these skills in leadership hires, recognizing that the future of business depends on those who can guide AI adoption with strategic vision and adaptability.
According to job postings data, the most in-demand leadership skills in an AI-driven workplace include:
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Initiative and Leadership
- Communication
- Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
- Business Strategy
- Consider Additional Education
AI’s influence spans across business, healthcare, finance, marketing, and beyond, making it critical for you to gain practical experience in AI applications relevant to your industry. Courses focused on AI strategy, automation, and data analytics can help you develop the skills needed to work alongside AI rather than be replaced by it.
Consider Northeastern’s Online Graduate Certificate in AI Applications program, which offers an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in applying AI to real-world business challenges. This program is designed for professionals who want to enhance their understanding of AI-driven decision-making, automation, and machine learning techniques—all without needing a technical background.
By completing this certificate, professionals can build AI literacy, gain confidence in integrating AI into their roles, and strengthen their credentials in a rapidly evolving job market.
AI Is an Opportunity, Not a Threat
The workforce is evolving, and so we must change with it. This means understanding how to integrate AI into your role, build essential skills like data literacy and critical thinking, and use AI to enhance your strategic capabilities. Whether through hands-on experimentation, continuous learning, or formal education, staying ahead in an AI-driven world requires a commitment to growth.
Ready to take the next step in bringing AI into your workplace? Learn more about Northeastern’s Online Graduate Certificate in AI Applications and how to apply by visiting our website or sending us an email at [email protected].
