The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report indicated that 40% of companies are planning workforce reductions due to AI automation. However, Tracy Heatley, founder of the UK-based firm Better Marketing with Tracy Heatley, has advice for one-person business owners on how to remain relevant in this changing landscape. Heatley, who recently became one of the first 150 marketers to be certified in AI marketing, believes AI should be used to assist, not replace.
She advises business owners not to be intimidated by AI tools, as they are essentially software that has been around for a long time. Heatley also encourages treating the changes brought by AI as an opportunity, suggesting business owners pay attention to future skills and find ways to master them. This includes understanding how to use AI tools and knowing what to ask them. Finally, she stresses the importance of understanding the value of one’s own expertise, as AI cannot replace human expertise and creativity.