TBT DESK: In a strikingly candid internal message that has now gone viral, Fiverr CEO Micha Kaufman has issued a stark warning about the accelerating impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the global workforce.
His bold assertion? AI is poised to replace a significant number of white-collar jobs - including, he says, his own.
The email, originally intended for Fiverr employees and later shared online by Net Prompts CEO Aadit Sheth, has ignited widespread discussion among professionals. It signals a dramatic shift in how top tech leaders view the pace and scope of AI-driven disruption across industries.
"AI is coming for your jobs. Heck, it's coming for my job too," Kaufman wrote, laying bare the reality many businesses are beginning to confront.
Kaufman identified eight job categories that he believes are most at risk of being eliminated or fundamentally reshaped by AI: Programmers, Designers, Product Managers, Data Scientists, Lawyers, Customer Support Professionals, Salespersons, Finance Professionals.
"It doesn't matter if you are a programmer, designer, product manager, data scientist, lawyer, customer support, salesperson or a finance person - AI is coming for you," he emphasised.
According to Kaufman, tasks once thought to be 'hard' are being made easier by AI, while 'easy' tasks are being fully automated. This shift, he argues, will render many current skillsets obsolete unless professionals take urgent action.
Rather than sounding an alarmist note, Kaufman positioned his warning as a wake-up call. He urged workers to embrace the change and begin upskilling immediately by learning how to integrate AI tools into their workflows. He cited a few examples of AI applications transforming various sectors:
Cursor for coding; Intercom Fin for customer support; Lexis+ AI for legal work.
He also advised employees to become proficient in using large language models (LLMs) and to learn prompt engineering - a skill he now sees as essential for navigating the new world of work. His most provocative remark? "Google is dead," suggesting that traditional search and knowledge discovery methods are being replaced by AI-powered interactions.
Kaufman's message concluded with a recommendation to business leaders: before considering increasing headcount, companies should focus on enhancing productivity by integrating AI into existing teams. For him, this is no longer a question of choice but of survival.
"Exceptional talent and prompt engineering are the new must-have skills," he wrote, reflecting a growing sentiment within tech leadership circles that AI literacy will soon become a baseline requirement.
The viral nature of Kaufman's message has sparked debate across social platforms. Some argue that his predictions are overly dire, while others applaud his candour and proactive stance. Regardless of where one stands, the broader consensus is clear: the AI revolution is not a distant threat - it is here, now, and moving fast.
As companies scramble to redefine roles and responsibilities in the age of AI, professionals face an urgent choice - adapt or risk being left behind.
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