6 Common Fears About AI and Your Job – And How to Overcome Them
Carina Zehetmaier, President of ‘Women in AI Austria’ and Co-Author of this Blog Post
With our ongoing research project ‘AI Empower Lab’ we examine how AI is fundamentally transforming the world of work across industries. Together with our advisory board member and president of ‘Women in AI Austria’ Carina Zehetmaier, we have summarised 6 learnings why AI knowledge is essential for your job.
Why AI Knowledge Is Essential
In marketing, creative workflows are enhanced with generative tools like ChatGPT, while in HR, automated analyses promote more inclusive hiring decisions. Engineers leverage AI to accelerate product development, and artists use machine learning to create entirely new forms of art. These examples highlight AI’s universal applicability and underline the importance of engaging with its opportunities early on (Oxford Report 2021, AI Empower Lab).
AI impacts all industries, from creative to administrative roles. For instance, graphic design has an automation potential of 86%, and secretarial roles are at 90% (by the way, both female-dominated job fields). Jobs involving repetitive or routine tasks are especially vulnerable, while even creative professions are being transformed by AI tools. This underscores the need to understand AI’s possibilities and limitations to remain competitive in the long term (Job-Futuromat, McKinsey).
Moreover, AI carries a dual potential: it can deepen existing inequalities or open doors to opportunities. For example, AI tools can analyze gender gaps and drive equitable workplace policies. Yet, those who fail to adapt and upskill risk losing relevance in the evolving job market. Building AI literacy is critical to thrive in an AI-powered future.
1. "Others are so far ahead – how can I ever catch up?”
The level of AI knowledge varies greatly among individuals right now. Comparing yourself to others can be paralyzing and counterproductive. Building AI skills is a highly personal and continuous process, not a race.
Tip: You don’t need to master everything at once—just focus on what is relevant to you. The tools others use may not even be applicable to your field, so making generalized comparisons doesn’t make sense.
Action Steps:
Assessment of use cases: Identify which AI tools or skills could be useful in your specific field – and especially related to use cases. Which are repetitive tasks that you’d rather want to get rid off? For the WOMENTOR team for instance, examples are our email or calendar management or text drafts. Create a list of possible use cases for yourself.
Set Goals, research tools: Choose one use case and research AI tools. Then set a concrete goal, such as: “Over the next three months, I want to practice using this specific AI tool to help me with this repetitive task.”
Connect: Talk to colleagues and join networks to exchange experiences. Don’t approach this from a comparative, fear-driven perspective—use it as an opportunity to create synergies and learn from each other.
2. "I don’t even know where to start."
AI can feel overwhelming because of the sheer number of tools and possibilities. Many people struggle to see the forest for the trees, unsure of where to begin.
Tip: Break AI down into manageable steps. Focus on small, realistic actions that build confidence and understanding over time. Starting with simple, accessible tools is often enough to see initial progress and reduce intimidation.
Action Steps:
Experiment Playfully: Start with an easy-to-use tool like ChatGPT for everyday tasks, such as summarizing emails or brainstorming fun ideas. This builds familiarity with AI in a low-pressure way.
Learn in Bite-Sized Steps: Watch a 5-minute tutorial on a tool like Canva’s AI-driven design features or MidJourney for generative art, and apply what you learn immediately. Small, hands-on experiments are more effective than overloading yourself with theoretical knowledge.
3. "I don’t work in tech; this has nothing to do with me!"
The hurdle of engaging with AI is often higher for those outside the tech industry. Dealing with emerging technologies has not been a regular part of most professional routines. Yet AI is shaping every field, from creative arts to healthcare and public policy. The question isn’t whether it will affect your work, but how. For instance, artists use machine learning to innovate creative processes. In healthcare, AI analyzes large datasets to uncover patterns for personalized treatments. Even in public policy, AI supports decision-making (—but its biases must be carefully managed to ensure fair representation of all groups.)
Tip: AI is a tool that can help expand your current skills and make your work more efficient.
Action Steps:
Find industry examples: Research how AI is being used in your field, such as recruitment processes, data analysis, or task automation.
Take small steps: Identify a specific challenge in your job and explore an AI tool that could help solve it.
4. "I’ve invested years in my career, only for AI to take over my job?"
“AI is not going to take your job. The person who uses AI is going to take your job. Use AI as fast as you can.” – Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA. AI does not replace humans; it automates repetitive tasks. It enhances your ability to focus on strategic or creative work, allowing you to bring more value to your role.
Tip: With AI, you can work more efficiently and strengthen your position in your field, helping you remain relevant in an evolving job market.
Action Steps:
Enhance Your Skills: Identify tasks that are boring, time-consuming, repetitive, or frustrating. These are the first tasks you should aim to streamline with AI.
See AI as Support: Experiment with tools that can simplify repetitive tasks in your workflow, such as scheduling, data analysis, or content generation. For example, tools like Notion AI for planning or Tableau for visualizing data are great starting points.
Invest in Learning: Focus on professional development to grow your expertise in AI. Choose targeted courses, workshops, or mentoring programs that align with your career goals.
5. "AI just amplifies the biases already present in society."
Bias in AI is a significant issue. For example, job recommendation systems often favor men for higher-paying roles, reflecting historical inequalities in the data. Similarly, generative AI can perpetuate stereotypical portrayals of women or minorities in media, reinforcing outdated narratives.
Tip: Education and awareness are essential. The presence of bias in AI is not an unchangeable reality we must accept—it is something we can actively influence through the way we use these tools. By building AI literacy, we empower ourselves to understand these biases, choose tools thoughtfully, and use them responsibly.
Action Steps:
Use AI Consciously: Use AI to promote fairness and inclusivity. For example, in HR, AI tools can help make hiring processes more diverse and fair. In the creative field, question whether images generated by tools like MidJourney show stereotypical appearances. By being mindful of how AI is used, we can create more diverse and inclusive outcomes.
Seek Guidance: Engage with experts or mentors who can help you understand ethical criteria for AI use. WOMENTOR will also provide more insights and resources on this topic in the coming months.
6. "How am I supposed to find the time to learn about this?"
Reality: Time is a challenge. For freelancers, client projects often take priority, and employees are already juggling numerous tasks that leave little room for anything else.
Tip: Building AI knowledge is an investment in your career that will save time in the long run. To stay competitive, it’s essential to adjust your weekly and monthly planning to make space for learning.
Action Steps:
For Freelancers: Schedule AI learning sessions as part of your monthly planning, alongside bookkeeping and invoicing. Treat it like any other important internal task.
For Employees: Be proactive and discuss with your manager why investing time in AI learning is valuable for your role and the organization.
Reserve Time Blocks: No matter if 30 minutes a week or 1 hour a month – Small, regular steps are far more effective than trying to learn everything all at once. Remember: if it isn’t scheduled, it won’t happen.
Combine Learning with Practice: Apply AI tools directly in your daily work to better understand them. Having a specific goal will boost your motivation and make the learning process more effective.
Why AI Mentoring Is a Smart Choice
AI mentoring stands out for its personalized guidance, tailored specifically to your questions, challenges, and career goals. Unlike generic courses or workshops, mentoring focuses directly on what you need, making your learning journey more effective and relevant.
It also provides hands-on support, enabling you to discuss real projects with your mentor and apply practical solutions immediately. This builds confidence and equips you with skills you can use right away.
Another key benefit is the time-saving aspect. With a mentor to guide you, there’s no need to waste hours searching for the right information or using ineffective methods. Your learning becomes focused and efficient.
Finally, AI mentoring ensures consistent progress. Monthly sessions create a dedicated time block for building your skills, helping you stay committed and steadily develop your expertise throughout the year.
By combining tailored guidance, practical application, and structured consistency, AI mentoring is a powerful way to thrive in an AI-driven world.
How WOMENTOR AI Mentoring Works
Our mentoring program is designed to provide a structured and tailored approach to mastering AI. Here’s how it works:
Define Your AI Goals: In the beginning of the mentoring relationship, you start by identifying your specific objectives, such as “How can I use ChatGPT effectively in my job?” or “How can AI help me manage my tasks in industry XY?” or more concrete and measurable “In the end of the year, I want to have my email and calendar management system fully automated with help of AI’.
Get Matched with a Mentor: Based on your goals, you’ll be paired with a mentor who understands your industry and the challenges you face.
Regular One-on-One Sessions: You’ll meet with your mentor regularly to work on your goals, apply AI tools to real tasks, and track your progress. of course, you are also free to discuss other career-relevant topics.
Examples of Success:
In marketing, a mentee optimized workflows by using AI tools like Canva’s automated design suggestions, saving time and boosting creativity.
In HR, another mentee used AI in recruitment processes, resulting in more diverse and efficient hiring outcomes
What Makes WOMENTOR’s AI Mentoring Special:
A Unique Approach: The program combines our AI mentor’s knowledge with our proven and professional mentoring framework.
Exclusive Opportunities: With only 5 spots available, the program is designed for professionals who are serious about integrating AI into their career strategies.
This combination of tailored guidance, real-world application, and exclusivity makes WOMENTOR’s AI Mentoring a standout opportunity for anyone looking to advance their career in an AI-driven world.
Timeline
The journey to mastering AI with WOMENTOR starts now!
Sign-Up List: Register now to join the sign-up list and receive updates as soon as the application phase begins.
Application Phase (February):
Early Bird Phase: January 27th–31st.
Final Deadline: March 3rd.The application phase runs throughout February, giving you ample time to complete your application and secure your spot by making the program payment. Please note: being on the sign-up list does not guarantee a place. Only those who finalize their payment within the application period will be enrolled in the program.
Matching Process (March): In March, we’ll carefully match each mentee with a mentor who aligns with their goals, industry, and challenges, ensuring the best possible support for your AI journey.
Mentoring Phase (April–March 2026): Starting in April, you will meet with your mentor regularly and at defined intervals. These sessions provide a consistent framework to work on your goals, build your AI expertise, and track your progress over the year. We also kick-off the AI mentoring experience with an event centered around AI and the promotion of our research findings.
Additional Mentoring Opportunities:
While this program focuses on AI, we continue to offer classic mentoring for all career goals. Our traditional 1:1 mentoring sessions remain open to everyone seeking personal and professional development.
Inclusion Matters:
At WOMENTOR, we welcome all genders to participate in our programs. Our mission is to empower everyone to achieve their goals in a supportive and inclusive environment.
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References
Oxford Report (2021): AI and the Arts: How Machine Learning Is Changing Artistic Work. University of Oxford.
AI Empower Lab (2024): Impact of AI on Work and Gender Inequalities. WOMENTOR Research Initiative.
Job-Futuromat: Automation Potential in Professions. Institute for Employment Research (IAB). Available at: https://job-futuromat.iab.de/
McKinsey & Company: The Future of Women at Work: Transitions in the Age of Automation. Available at: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/gender-equality/the-future-of-women-at-work-transitions-in-the-age-of-automation
Huang, J. (NVIDIA CEO): AI will not take your job. The person using AI will take your job. Quote from keynote speech.