Are workers afraid that a new generation of technologies—including generative A.I. and automated tools—will render them obsolete?

According to a recent report by Gallup, the answer to that question is “sorta.” Some 22 percent of respondents to the organization’s survey worried their jobs would be eaten by tech, up from 13 percent in 2017. Gallup calls this FOBO, or Fear of Becoming Obsolete.

“The recent rise in people’s concern about their job becoming obsolete is owing almost entirely to college-educated workers, among whom the percentage worried has jumped from 8 percent to 20 percent,” Gallup added. “At the same time, worry among workers without a college degree is virtually unchanged at 24 percent. As a result, whereas non-college-educated workers were previously much more concerned about technological replacement than college-educated workers, these groups now express similar levels of concern.”

If you want a more positive spin on that data, roughly three out of four workers aren’t concerned about A.I.-powered obsolescence anytime soon. But even if you belong to that majority, it’s perhaps worth taking a few moments to examine how you can “future proof” your job as automation becomes more common in the workplace, especially if you’re a tech professional.

Get Creative: As we discussed earlier this year on the “Tech Connects” podcast, the rise of no- and low-code tools could fundamentally change how software engineers and other tech professionals build software. If code creation is handed over increasingly to chatbots and other A.I., it won’t mean the end of human developer jobs—provided they refocus their workflow on the more creative aspects of the job, such as coming up with new features. It’s a similar story with other tech jobs: if lower-level tasks are given to machines, it’ll behoove you to embrace human skills such as problem solving and strategy.

Think About Management: Management still demands soft skills such as empathy and communication that machines simply can’t replicate. If you want to future-proof your position, consider moving into positions such as team leader, manager, or even CIO.

Network Extensively: Concerned about the impact of automation on your job in the near term? Make a point of networking and building your contacts; if you need to jump to a new position quickly, you may have solid leads. Networking will also allow you to establish yourself as an expert in your field, opening new opportunities.

Become an A.I. Expert: Do you know how to build large language models (LLMs)? How’s your skill at prompt engineering? Whatever your feelings about A.I., knowing how to utilize A.I. platforms and tools can go a long way toward job security—and might even spark job offers from companies seeking to build out their A.I. stack.

Soft Skills Always Win: No matter what the future holds, mastering soft skills such as empathy and communication is essential if you want to establish yourself as a reliable team player. Tech professionals with solid soft skills are generally more adaptable, allowing them to take advantage of new and unexpected career opportunities as they arise.