Use this framework to honestly evaluate your situation and determine how urgently you need to act.
Immediate Risk Indicators (Action needed within 3-6 months):
Organizational Warning Signs:
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“Efficiency initiatives” or “digital transformation” projects recently announced
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New AI tools or automation software being piloted or implemented in your department
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Restructuring or “flattening” of organizational hierarchy discussed or planned
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Budget pressures with emphasis on “doing more with less”
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Hiring freezes or elimination of open positions in your area
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Consultants brought in to analyze processes and recommend “improvements”
Role-Specific Risk Factors:
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80%+ of your daily tasks involve routine, predictable activities
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Your work outputs could be measured and replicated by following clear procedures
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Most of your decisions are based on established rules or guidelines
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Your role primarily involves data processing, coordination, or basic customer service
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You rarely interact directly with external customers or clients in complex situations
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Your expertise is primarily in tools or systems that are being automated
Company Communication Patterns:
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Leadership frequently mentions AI, automation, or efficiency improvements
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Your department is being “studied” or “analyzed” by consultants or internal teams
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New hires in your area have been reduced or eliminated
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Training focuses on new technologies rather than skill development
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Your role is being described differently in job postings or organizational charts
Medium-Term Risk Indicators (Action needed within 6-18 months):
Industry-Wide Trends:
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Your industry is experiencing widespread adoption of AI tools
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Competitors are publicly announcing AI implementations that affect roles like yours
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Industry publications frequently discuss automation in your functional area
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Professional associations are offering retraining programs for your type of role
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Job postings in your field increasingly require AI collaboration skills
Skill Obsolescence Signals:
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Younger colleagues are using tools that can do your work faster
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Your expertise is increasingly available through AI-powered software
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Training requests for advanced skills in your area are being denied
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Cross-training opportunities are limited or discouraged
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Your role is often combined with others or eliminated during turnover
Long-Term Considerations (Planning horizon 1-3+ years):
Strategic Career Positioning:
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Your industry will likely see major AI transformation, but timeline is unclear
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Your skills are valuable but need to be repositioned in AI-resistant directions
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Market opportunities exist for your expertise in alternative career pathways
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Education or certification could significantly improve your AI-resistance
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Personal circumstances allow for strategic, planned career transitions
Assessment Questions:
Rate each statement as: High Risk (3 points), Medium Risk (2 points), Low Risk (1 point), Not Applicable (0 points)
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My daily tasks are mostly routine and follow established procedures
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My role could be described accurately in a detailed job manual
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My company is actively implementing AI tools in areas related to my work
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Most of my decision-making follows clear rules or guidelines
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I rarely deal with unique, unprecedented situations requiring creative solutions
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My work primarily involves processing information rather than creating relationships
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My department has been “studied” for efficiency improvements in the past year
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I could train someone to do most of my job in less than 6 months
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My role has been combined with others or eliminated during recent turnover
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Leadership frequently mentions automation or AI when discussing our department
Scoring:
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25-30 points: Immediate risk – Consider emergency transition strategies
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18-24 points: Medium-term risk – Develop 6-18 month transition plan
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12-17 points: Long-term planning needed – Strategic positioning and skill development
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Below 12 points: Lower immediate risk – Focus on AI-resistance enhancement
