How to Stay Relevant as AI Changes the Job Market

An author and Governance, Education & Future-of-Work Strategist, Afolashade Joy Jubrilla
has outlined practical steps professionals can take to remain relevant as artificial intelligence continues to reshape the global job market.

In an interview with THISDAY, Jubrilla said that when artificial intelligence entered the workplace, it did not arrive with a single dramatic moment, but instead, it crept in quietly, automating reports, speeding up analysis, answering customer questions, and optimizing schedules.

She added that what initially appeared as a productivity boost has since begun to alter job roles, team structures, and career paths.

According to her, the biggest mistake workers make is assuming that relevance is tied to a job title. “Jobs are increasingly breaking down into tasks,” she explained. “AI often replaces specific tasks, not entire professions. The risk is highest for people whose value is defined by routine or repeatable work.”

Jubrilla emphasized that staying relevant now requires focusing on problem-solving rather than task execution. Skills such as judgment, ethical reasoning, communication, creativity, and contextual decision-making remain difficult to automate and are becoming more valuable as technology advances.

She also advised workers to adopt a mindset of continuous learning without panic. Rather than rushing to become technical experts, she said professionals should focus on understanding how AI affects their industry and how to work alongside it. “AI literacy matters more than AI mastery for most people,” she noted.

Jubrilla explained that long-term security no longer comes solely from employers but from transferable skills, professional relationships, and personal reputation.

“Platforms change and roles disappear, but what you control your skills and judgment travels with you,” she said.

She further highlighted the ethical dimension of relevance, stressing that human oversight is critical as AI influences decisions in areas such as hiring, finance, and healthcare. “People who can question outputs, detect bias, and take responsibility will be indispensable,” she added.

Jubrilla concluded that while AI is transforming the job market, it is not eliminating human value. Instead, it is clarifying it. “Those who adapt early, invest in their human strengths, and take agency over their careers won’t just survive this transition,” she said. “They will help shape the future of work.”