13 answers
Ibrahim
Student
Badagry
3
Questions
Asked
711 views
Why do careers get wipedout by a newer technology or advancement in civilisation?
Why do careers get wiped out by a newer technology and advancement in civilisation? Is it really to be considered a wipe out or more of a transition? Why does it feel pain to see a career shift or total annihilation of certain workforce especially does at their time being which seem totally untouchable and are considered the pinnacle of a job career one can attain?
Lastly if you've experienced such in the past, how does it feel like? Is your experience helping you now that this new career shift is happening with AI?
Login to comment
13 answers
Israel Ordonez
Manager for Service Center
2
Answers
Mexico City, Mexico
Updated
Israel’s Answer
Technological change is usually more of a transition than a complete wipeout, but for the people affected, it can feel like a wipeout because careers are tied to identity, status, community, and financial security. The pain comes from seeing a skill that took years to master suddenly become less valuable. Many jobs once considered untouchable have been transformed by new technology, from farmers and typesetters to travel agents and translators.
In my case, my career didn't disappear; it evolved. The market's needs changed, and so did the profession. While the role looks very different today than it did when I started, the experience and skills I developed continue to have value. Like everyone else, I'm still learning, adapting, and growing every day.
In my case, my career didn't disappear; it evolved. The market's needs changed, and so did the profession. While the role looks very different today than it did when I started, the experience and skills I developed continue to have value. Like everyone else, I'm still learning, adapting, and growing every day.
Loved reading this, thanks!
Ibrahim
TRAVIS UPCHURCH
Federal Contract Admin
321
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
TRAVIS’s Answer
The ability to continuously learn new things will never get old or be replaced. You may develop a skill on your own that you didnt even know you enjoyed or that you knew had value. Keep learning and making yourself available for projects and be aware of skills gaps or labor needs in your area and you will always be able to find something useful that pays.
This was super helpful, thank you!
Ibrahim
ANTHONY SYLVESTER
School counselor
33
Answers
Onitsha, Anambra, Nigeria
Updated
ANTHONY’s Answer
This is a very thoughtful question because it touches on one of the biggest realities of career development: change is constant.
Careers are rarely completely "wiped out"; most times, they transform. Throughout history, technology and social changes have replaced certain tasks while creating new roles. For example, computers reduced the need for some manual office tasks but created careers in software development, cybersecurity, data analysis, and digital services.
The reason it feels painful when a career disappears is because careers are not just sources of income; they are connected to identity, pride, years of training, experience, and personal meaning. Someone who spent decades becoming an expert in a field may feel that their value is being questioned when a new technology emerges.
However, history shows that adaptability is one of the most important career skills. The people who survive major changes are usually those who are willing to learn, update their skills, and combine their experience with new tools. Technology often replaces repetitive tasks, but human abilities such as creativity, empathy, critical thinking, leadership, and problem-solving remain valuable.
The rise of AI should be viewed less as the end of work and more as a shift in how work is done. Some jobs will reduce, some will change, and new opportunities will emerge. The important question is not only "Will AI replace my career?" but also "How can I use AI to become better at my career?"
A strong career mindset today is lifelong learning. The future belongs not necessarily to those who compete against technology, but to those who learn how to work alongside it.
Careers are rarely completely "wiped out"; most times, they transform. Throughout history, technology and social changes have replaced certain tasks while creating new roles. For example, computers reduced the need for some manual office tasks but created careers in software development, cybersecurity, data analysis, and digital services.
The reason it feels painful when a career disappears is because careers are not just sources of income; they are connected to identity, pride, years of training, experience, and personal meaning. Someone who spent decades becoming an expert in a field may feel that their value is being questioned when a new technology emerges.
However, history shows that adaptability is one of the most important career skills. The people who survive major changes are usually those who are willing to learn, update their skills, and combine their experience with new tools. Technology often replaces repetitive tasks, but human abilities such as creativity, empathy, critical thinking, leadership, and problem-solving remain valuable.
The rise of AI should be viewed less as the end of work and more as a shift in how work is done. Some jobs will reduce, some will change, and new opportunities will emerge. The important question is not only "Will AI replace my career?" but also "How can I use AI to become better at my career?"
A strong career mindset today is lifelong learning. The future belongs not necessarily to those who compete against technology, but to those who learn how to work alongside it.
I'm excited to put your great advice to good use!
Ibrahim
Diego Carbone
UX Manager
3
Answers
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Updated
Diego’s Answer
That's a big question, and honestly one I've asked myself a lot.
I don't think "wiped out" is the right word, even though it feels that way in the moment. It's more that the value shifts. A skill that used to be scarce, and scarcity is what made it valuable, suddenly isn't scarce anymore, because a machine or a new process can do it faster or cheaper. The job doesn't disappear because it was worthless. It disappears because the thing that made it special stopped being rare.
The pain is real, though, and I don't want to wave that away. When a career feels untouchable, you build your identity on top of it, not just your income, but your sense of who you are and what you're good at. So when that ground shifts, it doesn't feel like "oh, a new tool arrived." It feels like someone is questioning whether you matter. That's not really about the technology at all, that's about identity, and identity doesn't transition as fast as tools do.
I've lived a version of this. Early in my career I built a lot of my value around craft skills that, over time, got absorbed by better tools and more automated workflows, the "pinnacle" version of the job I trained for basically stopped existing in the form I learned it. It stung. I remember feeling like I'd invested years into something that was quietly being erased while I wasn't looking.
What actually helped wasn't fighting the shift, it was figuring out what was underneath the skill, the part of it that was really me, not the tool. For me it wasn't "I know how to do X technique," it was "I know how to look at a problem and figure out what people actually need." That part didn't go away. It just needed a new set of tools to express itself.
With AI now, I feel the same discomfort creeping in again, and I won't pretend I have it fully figured out. But my experience does help, in one specific way: I'm not panicking about the tool itself. I'm asking the question earlier this time, what's the part of my judgment, taste, and care for the people I work with that AI can't replicate, and building around that, instead of waiting for the ground to fully shift before I react.
So my honest answer: it's a transition dressed up as an ending, and it feels like an ending because we tie our worth to the form of the work, not the substance of it. The substance is usually more portable than we think.
I don't think "wiped out" is the right word, even though it feels that way in the moment. It's more that the value shifts. A skill that used to be scarce, and scarcity is what made it valuable, suddenly isn't scarce anymore, because a machine or a new process can do it faster or cheaper. The job doesn't disappear because it was worthless. It disappears because the thing that made it special stopped being rare.
The pain is real, though, and I don't want to wave that away. When a career feels untouchable, you build your identity on top of it, not just your income, but your sense of who you are and what you're good at. So when that ground shifts, it doesn't feel like "oh, a new tool arrived." It feels like someone is questioning whether you matter. That's not really about the technology at all, that's about identity, and identity doesn't transition as fast as tools do.
I've lived a version of this. Early in my career I built a lot of my value around craft skills that, over time, got absorbed by better tools and more automated workflows, the "pinnacle" version of the job I trained for basically stopped existing in the form I learned it. It stung. I remember feeling like I'd invested years into something that was quietly being erased while I wasn't looking.
What actually helped wasn't fighting the shift, it was figuring out what was underneath the skill, the part of it that was really me, not the tool. For me it wasn't "I know how to do X technique," it was "I know how to look at a problem and figure out what people actually need." That part didn't go away. It just needed a new set of tools to express itself.
With AI now, I feel the same discomfort creeping in again, and I won't pretend I have it fully figured out. But my experience does help, in one specific way: I'm not panicking about the tool itself. I'm asking the question earlier this time, what's the part of my judgment, taste, and care for the people I work with that AI can't replicate, and building around that, instead of waiting for the ground to fully shift before I react.
So my honest answer: it's a transition dressed up as an ending, and it feels like an ending because we tie our worth to the form of the work, not the substance of it. The substance is usually more portable than we think.
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1425
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Ibrahim,
This is a thoughtful question, and history suggests that careers are rarely "wiped out" overnight. More often, they change.
Technology usually replaces tasks, not entire professions. For example, ATMs didn't eliminate bank tellers, but they changed what tellers spent their time doing. Accountants still exist despite accounting software. Doctors still practice medicine despite advanced diagnostic tools. Their work evolved rather than disappeared.
That said, some occupations do decline significantly when technology or society changes. Think of switchboard operators, video rental store employees, or typesetters. As demand for those services disappeared, many workers had to retrain or move into related roles.
The reason these changes feel so painful is that a career is often more than a paycheck. It's part of a person's identity, routine, and sense of purpose. When a profession changes or disappears, people aren't just losing a job. They may feel they're losing years of experience, status, and the future they imagined for themselves. That's a very human response.
AI is creating similar concerns today. Some jobs will change, some will shrink, and new ones will emerge. The people who tend to adapt best are those who keep learning and are willing to develop new skills alongside the technology rather than compete against it.
One lesson history teaches us is that every major technological shift has created uncertainty. The Industrial Revolution, personal computers, and the internet all disrupted existing careers. They also created entirely new industries and opportunities that were difficult to imagine beforehand.
Instead of asking, "Will AI replace this career?" it may be more useful to ask, "How will this career change, and what skills will still be valuable?" Skills such as critical thinking, communication, creativity, leadership, ethical judgment, and working effectively with technology are likely to remain important, even as specific job tasks evolve.
So, I see today's changes less as the end of work and more as another chapter in how work evolves. It won't be easy for everyone, and some transitions will be difficult. But throughout history, people who continued learning and adapting have usually found new ways to apply their experience in a changing world.
Best wishes!
This is a thoughtful question, and history suggests that careers are rarely "wiped out" overnight. More often, they change.
Technology usually replaces tasks, not entire professions. For example, ATMs didn't eliminate bank tellers, but they changed what tellers spent their time doing. Accountants still exist despite accounting software. Doctors still practice medicine despite advanced diagnostic tools. Their work evolved rather than disappeared.
That said, some occupations do decline significantly when technology or society changes. Think of switchboard operators, video rental store employees, or typesetters. As demand for those services disappeared, many workers had to retrain or move into related roles.
The reason these changes feel so painful is that a career is often more than a paycheck. It's part of a person's identity, routine, and sense of purpose. When a profession changes or disappears, people aren't just losing a job. They may feel they're losing years of experience, status, and the future they imagined for themselves. That's a very human response.
AI is creating similar concerns today. Some jobs will change, some will shrink, and new ones will emerge. The people who tend to adapt best are those who keep learning and are willing to develop new skills alongside the technology rather than compete against it.
One lesson history teaches us is that every major technological shift has created uncertainty. The Industrial Revolution, personal computers, and the internet all disrupted existing careers. They also created entirely new industries and opportunities that were difficult to imagine beforehand.
Instead of asking, "Will AI replace this career?" it may be more useful to ask, "How will this career change, and what skills will still be valuable?" Skills such as critical thinking, communication, creativity, leadership, ethical judgment, and working effectively with technology are likely to remain important, even as specific job tasks evolve.
So, I see today's changes less as the end of work and more as another chapter in how work evolves. It won't be easy for everyone, and some transitions will be difficult. But throughout history, people who continued learning and adapting have usually found new ways to apply their experience in a changing world.
Best wishes!
John Woollard
General Manager
58
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
John’s Answer
You already hinted at this, but it is usually more transition than wipeout. The work does not vanish so much as it shifts, and the people who adapt tend to move with it rather than get erased by it.
Why it hurts is the real heart of your question. When a job feels like the pinnacle, people build their identity and security around it, so a shift does not just threaten income, it threatens who someone believes they are. That is genuine loss of identity and purpose can be extremely traumatizing and difficult to come back from, even when the change ends up creating new opportunities.
To your last part, yes, I have lived through industry shifts, and honestly it is what pushes me now. I spent years in a field that changed fast underneath me, and the biggest lesson was that the specific skills matter less than the ability to keep learning and adapting.
On AI specifically, I would bet on the same pattern. It will reshape a lot of work, but the people who stay curious and keep building new skills will ride the wave instead of getting hit by it.
Why it hurts is the real heart of your question. When a job feels like the pinnacle, people build their identity and security around it, so a shift does not just threaten income, it threatens who someone believes they are. That is genuine loss of identity and purpose can be extremely traumatizing and difficult to come back from, even when the change ends up creating new opportunities.
To your last part, yes, I have lived through industry shifts, and honestly it is what pushes me now. I spent years in a field that changed fast underneath me, and the biggest lesson was that the specific skills matter less than the ability to keep learning and adapting.
On AI specifically, I would bet on the same pattern. It will reshape a lot of work, but the people who stay curious and keep building new skills will ride the wave instead of getting hit by it.
Thank you for giving me advice.
Ibrahim
Amy Cho
Lead Product Designer
9
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Amy’s Answer
Change is always happening! Jobs don't just vanish; they evolve. We're all trying to tackle similar challenges, so these issues won't disappear completely.
Why do new technologies seem to wipe out careers? Well, most jobs exist to solve problems for people. When a new tool solves these problems faster or cheaper, the focus shifts, and jobs based on the old ways start to decline. It's rarely personal or sudden. Think about elevator operators or switchboard operators—they didn't do anything wrong. The need for their work just quietly moved elsewhere.
Is it really a "wipe out," or more of a transition? I'd say it's usually a transition, even if it doesn't feel like it at the time. Work tends to change rather than vanish—old tasks fade, but new jobs appear that no one expected. The tricky part is being caught in the middle of this shift. That's why it feels like a wipe out, even though it's more about things being rearranged.
Why does it hurt so much, especially for "untouchable" careers? Because work isn't just a paycheck. It's about identity, pride, status, and years of hard-earned skills. When a top job in a field suddenly fades, people lose more than just a job—they lose a part of their identity. The higher the position, the harder the fall feels. That grief is real and deserves acknowledgment, not just a quick "adapt."
So, in short, technology doesn't erase human value—it just moves it around. The pain is real, but so is the opportunity on the other side. Those who do well aren't the ones with the "safest" jobs—they're the ones who stay curious and adapt to change.
You're already asking the right questions, which shows you'll be just fine.
Why do new technologies seem to wipe out careers? Well, most jobs exist to solve problems for people. When a new tool solves these problems faster or cheaper, the focus shifts, and jobs based on the old ways start to decline. It's rarely personal or sudden. Think about elevator operators or switchboard operators—they didn't do anything wrong. The need for their work just quietly moved elsewhere.
Is it really a "wipe out," or more of a transition? I'd say it's usually a transition, even if it doesn't feel like it at the time. Work tends to change rather than vanish—old tasks fade, but new jobs appear that no one expected. The tricky part is being caught in the middle of this shift. That's why it feels like a wipe out, even though it's more about things being rearranged.
Why does it hurt so much, especially for "untouchable" careers? Because work isn't just a paycheck. It's about identity, pride, status, and years of hard-earned skills. When a top job in a field suddenly fades, people lose more than just a job—they lose a part of their identity. The higher the position, the harder the fall feels. That grief is real and deserves acknowledgment, not just a quick "adapt."
So, in short, technology doesn't erase human value—it just moves it around. The pain is real, but so is the opportunity on the other side. Those who do well aren't the ones with the "safest" jobs—they're the ones who stay curious and adapt to change.
You're already asking the right questions, which shows you'll be just fine.
Shelly Lin
Forensic Consultant
81
Answers
Sturbridge, Massachusetts
Updated
Shelly’s Answer
In my experience, it is usually more accurate to think of technological change as a transition rather than a complete replacement. New technologies often automate specific tasks, but they also create new roles and shift the skills that employers value. That said, the transition can be very difficult for individuals whose expertise is tied to work that becomes less in demand, which is why it can feel like a loss even if new opportunities eventually emerge. Throughout history, industries have continually evolved, and AI is another example of that pattern. Rather than replacing all professionals, it is changing how work is done and increasing the importance of skills such as critical thinking, communication, judgment, and adaptability. The biggest lesson I have learned is that careers are built on the ability to keep learning. Professionals who are willing to adapt and develop new skills tend to navigate these shifts more successfully than those who rely solely on the way work has always been done.
Thanks for the help.
Ibrahim
Marlene Pierce
IT Service Desk Manager
4
Answers
Cleveland, Ohio
Updated
Marlene’s Answer
Hello Ibrahim, this is a great question. I've worked in Business Management for over 25 years, recently changing to an IT leadership role.
One thing is constant in most careers from business, IT, education and healthcare and that is change. Think of it more like learning the latest skills and adapting to new ideas and technology instead of becoming extinct. While AI is changing how most industries work, we will always need the human element to ensure accuracy.
It is hard to believe there was a time not too long ago we went to school and work without today's technology from cell phones, computers, Google, etc. The changes you see today may feel extreme now, but we will adapt.
Best of luck to you.
One thing is constant in most careers from business, IT, education and healthcare and that is change. Think of it more like learning the latest skills and adapting to new ideas and technology instead of becoming extinct. While AI is changing how most industries work, we will always need the human element to ensure accuracy.
It is hard to believe there was a time not too long ago we went to school and work without today's technology from cell phones, computers, Google, etc. The changes you see today may feel extreme now, but we will adapt.
Best of luck to you.
I appreciate your support, Marlene
Ibrahim
Maggie Hochberg
Consumer Loan Funding Supervisor
6
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Maggie’s Answer
This is a very thoughtful question. As said many times above, the one constant in life and work is Change. It need not be scary, though it may be challenging. In the case of current technological changes afoot, a lot of automation is being implemented, but that's not necessarily decimating a work force- it's just changing what that work force is doing day to day. Adaptability, a willingness to learn, and operating with integrity will keep you relevant when demands change and new roles are created. Change is nothing to fear, but it is something to be ready for. As you grow in your career, your abilities, connections, and interests grow too. Keep at it and good luck.
Thank you, Maggie!
Ibrahim
Sandeep Khandelwal
Software Engineer
143
Answers
San Ramon, California
Updated
Sandeep’s Answer
Hello Ibrahim,
I don't think careers are usually "wiped out" so much as they evolve. New technology replaces certain tasks, but it also creates new opportunities. The hardest part isn't the technology itself. It's the transition. People invest years of their lives into a career, so seeing it disappear can feel like losing part of their identity and security.
History has shown this with farming, manufacturing, and even photography. AI feels different because it's happening so quickly and it's affecting jobs that many people thought were untouchable. It's understandable why people are worried, but adapting and learning new skills has always been the best way to navigate these changes.
I don't think careers are usually "wiped out" so much as they evolve. New technology replaces certain tasks, but it also creates new opportunities. The hardest part isn't the technology itself. It's the transition. People invest years of their lives into a career, so seeing it disappear can feel like losing part of their identity and security.
History has shown this with farming, manufacturing, and even photography. AI feels different because it's happening so quickly and it's affecting jobs that many people thought were untouchable. It's understandable why people are worried, but adapting and learning new skills has always been the best way to navigate these changes.
Loved reading this, thanks!
Ibrahim
Mark Maslar
6
Answers
Updated
Mark’s Answer
Echoing a theme here, change is constant! Be open to evolving your skills as technologies change and your career will never be wiped out. But if you lock into knowing only a limited set of technologies... whatever they are or how hot they might be at the moment, the need for all of them will eventually vanish. Learn and adapt!
Thank you for taking the time to help.
Ibrahim
Steve Sterner
IT Management
67
Answers
Easton, Pennsylvania
Updated
Steve’s Answer
I have worked in technology for almost 4 decades and while this is a great question (and one that many people are asking in many different forms) it is not really that technology is changing or annihilating jobs or careers. They are evolving as they have always done but technology is making that evolution faster and as technology has evolved that evolution of not just careers but life as we know it is evolving faster.
AI is taking the brunt of the fury right now but this has been happening over the years:
When I started in my current company 35 years ago we had less than 200 PCs/Laptops in the organization (we know have over 10,000) and most desks that had computers had dumb terminals connected to out mainframe. There were no cell phones, there were less than 100 internet connections and they were dial up (quite honestly there was very little on the internet at that time), there was no cloud computing and most applications that were written for a distributed system were completely contained in the PC and were fairly specialized.
No we disrupt things:
Distributed Computing - move from mainframe to PCs and client server
Internet - Web Apps, computing directly with customers and partners
Cell Phones - Mobile Apps, Power of computing in everyone's hands, quickly becomes the primary interface for everything, globalization
Virtualization - Taking what had grown out of control and attempt in some ways to centralize, control and standardize
Cloud Computing - Scale, non-IT companies trying to shed more of the IT related responsibilities and focus so they can focus on their business
AI - ???
Disruptions have always been there technology just accelerates them exponentially. Each step along the way particular jobs diminished or disappeared but many others popped up in technology. Even going back to the first one I listed Distributed Computing, the number of COBOL Programmers that had to reskill to C++, Python, Java or some other discipline was huge as we started to move our dependence from the Mainframe to distributed computing.
I am going to give you he advice I give to the early career members I mentor or the high school students I talk to (or even my own kids) and I do not believe this advice is exclusive to technology. Be valuable, be flexible, work hard and always be ready to learn.
The world will not be the same tomorrow as it is today do not identify yourself with what you do. You are an intelligent hardworking, valuable member of society that has the capability of learning anything they put in front of you given the right time and resources. If you can make that your identity there is nothing that can take your career because your career is just that delivering value to my organization to the best of my ability and looking for opportunities to learn and grow and continue to provide value.
I cannot promise you that this will keep you employed every day of your life or you won't hit any difficulties but I will tell you in my experience in my career, in the case of my wife and kids and in the case of most of those I have worked with those who live and work in this manner have been fairly successful and have been pretty solid in their careers and have been happier and more successful overall in life.
Good Luck to you in all your future endeavors.
AI is taking the brunt of the fury right now but this has been happening over the years:
When I started in my current company 35 years ago we had less than 200 PCs/Laptops in the organization (we know have over 10,000) and most desks that had computers had dumb terminals connected to out mainframe. There were no cell phones, there were less than 100 internet connections and they were dial up (quite honestly there was very little on the internet at that time), there was no cloud computing and most applications that were written for a distributed system were completely contained in the PC and were fairly specialized.
No we disrupt things:
Distributed Computing - move from mainframe to PCs and client server
Internet - Web Apps, computing directly with customers and partners
Cell Phones - Mobile Apps, Power of computing in everyone's hands, quickly becomes the primary interface for everything, globalization
Virtualization - Taking what had grown out of control and attempt in some ways to centralize, control and standardize
Cloud Computing - Scale, non-IT companies trying to shed more of the IT related responsibilities and focus so they can focus on their business
AI - ???
Disruptions have always been there technology just accelerates them exponentially. Each step along the way particular jobs diminished or disappeared but many others popped up in technology. Even going back to the first one I listed Distributed Computing, the number of COBOL Programmers that had to reskill to C++, Python, Java or some other discipline was huge as we started to move our dependence from the Mainframe to distributed computing.
I am going to give you he advice I give to the early career members I mentor or the high school students I talk to (or even my own kids) and I do not believe this advice is exclusive to technology. Be valuable, be flexible, work hard and always be ready to learn.
The world will not be the same tomorrow as it is today do not identify yourself with what you do. You are an intelligent hardworking, valuable member of society that has the capability of learning anything they put in front of you given the right time and resources. If you can make that your identity there is nothing that can take your career because your career is just that delivering value to my organization to the best of my ability and looking for opportunities to learn and grow and continue to provide value.
I cannot promise you that this will keep you employed every day of your life or you won't hit any difficulties but I will tell you in my experience in my career, in the case of my wife and kids and in the case of most of those I have worked with those who live and work in this manner have been fairly successful and have been pretty solid in their careers and have been happier and more successful overall in life.
Good Luck to you in all your future endeavors.
I am really grateful you took the time to answer this question.
Ibrahim