You’re Not Being Replaced by AI

Let’s not sugarcoat it: AI is no longer the intern. It’s showing up with a résumé, demanding a seat at the table, and quietly wondering if you’re the one who should be nervous.

We’ve reached a turning point—what used to be a futuristic thought experiment is now embedded in hiring policies, operating models, and even performance reviews. This isn’t about the promise of automation. It’s about the decisions leaders are making right now that prioritize digital workers over human ones.

You’ve probably seen the headlines:

• Microsoft: Every employee gets a copilot.

• Salesforce: “I’ll be the last CEO to only manage humans.”

• Shopify: Prove AI can’t do the job—or don’t hire.

This isn’t theoretical anymore. The line between augmentation and replacement is blurring. And depending on your vantage point, that’s either a thrilling upgrade or a slow-motion existential crisis.

But here’s what’s most interesting to me right now:

It’s not just about whether AI can do the job.

It’s about how humans respond when the stakes change.

Some are learning faster. Some are resisting harder. And, yes, some are sabotaging the very initiatives designed to help them stay relevant.

Which brings me to a more personal question I’ve been sitting with this week:

What does it mean to lead through a moment like this—not just to survive the shift, but to shape it?

I don’t have a one-size-fits-all answer. But I do believe the winners won’t be the ones who simply implement more tech. They’ll be the ones who upgrade the human experience alongside it.

Curious how this is playing out across real companies, real teams, and real cultural tensions?

You might enjoy this week’s Looking Forward episode. It’s called:

👉 To Augment or Replace: That’s the AI Question

We unpack what’s happening behind the headlines—what leaders are doing, what workers are feeling, and where it’s all going next. Listen in here or wherever you get your podcasts.

And as always, if something in here made you think, feel, or pause—hit reply. I read every one.

Keep looking forward,

Alejandro