<h1>The £240K Prompt Engineering Salary: Hype, Reality, and What Comes Next</h1>
<p>Here’s the career story no one saw coming:<br>
Two years ago, “prompt engineering” wasn’t even on LinkedIn. Today, headlines scream about <strong>£240,000 salaries for prompt engineers</strong>, recruiters dangle six-figure carrots, and job seekers wonder if they’ve missed the AI gold rush.</p>
<p>But here’s the uncomfortable truth: not everything in this new field is what it seems. The real question isn’t just <em>how much does a prompt engineer make?</em>, it’s <em>will the job even exist in three years?</em></p>
<p>Let’s cut through the hype and look at the <strong>emerging prompt engineering job market</strong>, salaries, career paths, and whether this role is a rocket ship or a shooting star.</p>
<hr>
<h2>What Exactly <em>Is</em> a Prompt Engineer?</h2>
<p>At its core, prompt engineering is the art (and science) of talking to AI models like ChatGPT or Claude in a way that gets consistent, useful results.</p>
<p>A prompt engineer designs instructions, workflows, and system messages to make AI tools perform specific tasks, whether that’s writing marketing copy, parsing legal documents, or generating software code.</p>
<p>Sounds niche? It is. And that’s why companies suddenly started dangling big money at anyone who could do it well.</p>
<p>But here’s the kicker: as AI models improve, many of today’s “advanced” prompt tricks are getting automated or baked into the systems themselves. Which raises the obvious question, <strong>are companies paying six figures for skills that might vanish?</strong></p>
<p>👉 Related reading: <a href="/blog/ai_dangers">AI in the Workforce: How to Stay Relevant?</a></p>
<hr>
<h2>Prompt Engineering Salary: The Hype vs. Reality</h2>
<h3>The Headlines</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>£200k–£240k salaries</strong> at AI-first startups (Anthropic famously posted one of these roles in the US).</li>
<li>Recruiters using “prompt engineer” in job titles to ride the hype wave.</li>
<li>Stories of freelancers billing £400+ an hour for “AI prompt optimisation.”</li>
</ul>
<h3>The Reality</h3>
<p>When you strip away the PR spin, here’s what the data shows (2024–25):</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Average prompt engineer salary (UK):</strong> £65k–£100k.</li>
<li><strong>High-end roles (AI-first firms):</strong> £140k–£170k, typically requiring PhDs, domain expertise, or hybrid software skills.</li>
<li><strong>Mid-market corporate roles:</strong> £55k–£85k, often titled “AI Specialist” or “AI Product Engineer.”</li>
<li><strong>Freelance contracts:</strong> £50–£120/hr is the norm; £200+/hr exists, but only for rare top-tier consultants with niche expertise.</li>
</ul>
<p>In other words: <strong>the £240k roles exist, but they’re unicorns.</strong></p>
<hr>
<h2>Why Prompt Engineers Got Paid So Much (So Fast)</h2>
<ol>
<li>
<p><strong>Scarcity of talent</strong><br>
In 2022–23, very few people had real-world experience working with LLMs. Demand outstripped supply.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>Hype-driven job titles</strong><br>
Companies rebranded roles to attract talent and press attention. “Prompt Engineer” sounds sexier than “AI Product Manager.”</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>The fear factor</strong><br>
Executives worried: <em>What if we miss the AI wave?</em> So they overpaid early hires to secure talent.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>Venture-backed budgets</strong><br>
Startups flush with AI funding didn’t blink at £200k+ salaries, until they realised half their “prompt tricks” were obsolete within months.</p>
</li>
</ol>
<hr>
<h2>The Disappearing Act: Will Prompt Engineers Still Exist?</h2>
<p>Here’s where the analysis gets interesting.</p>
<p>AI systems are evolving so fast that many “hard” prompt engineering skills are being automated away:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Fine-tuned models</strong> are reducing the need for elaborate prompts.</li>
<li><strong>AI assistants</strong> like ChatGPT’s custom instructions are user-friendly enough for non-engineers.</li>
<li><strong>Auto-prompting frameworks</strong> (LangChain, DSPy, etc.) handle the scaffolding work.</li>
</ul>
<p>That means the standalone “prompt engineer” title could disappear, replaced by hybrid roles like:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>AI Product Manager</strong></li>
<li><strong>AI Workflow Designer</strong></li>
<li><strong>AI Integration Specialist</strong></li>
<li><strong>Machine Learning Ops (MLOps) + Prompting</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>The future isn’t about writing clever prompts, it’s about <strong>embedding AI into business processes</strong>. And that takes broader skills than just wrangling words.</p>
<p>👉 Related: <a href="/blog/ai_reskilling/">Rethinking Workforce Adaptation in the Age of AI Disruption</a></p>
<hr>
<h2>Career Path: From Prompt Engineer to AI Specialist</h2>
<p>If you’re chasing the salary but worried about obsolescence, here’s the smarter play:</p>
<h3>1. Learn the Fundamentals of AI</h3>
<ul>
<li>Understand how LLMs work (tokens, embeddings, fine-tuning).</li>
<li>Learn Python basics and frameworks like LangChain.</li>
</ul>
<h3>2. Go Domain-Specific</h3>
<ul>
<li>Finance, law, healthcare, industries where <strong>context + AI = high value.</strong></li>
<li>Example: A “legal AI prompt engineer” with compliance expertise can command higher salaries.</li>
</ul>
<h3>3. Move Towards AI Product Roles</h3>
<ul>
<li>Product design, data workflows, UX with AI.</li>
<li>The best-paid prompt engineers are already evolving into <strong>AI specialists</strong> who design end-to-end systems.</li>
</ul>
<h3>4. Stack Skills</h3>
<ul>
<li>Pair prompt expertise with <strong>data analytics, cloud, or software engineering</strong>.</li>
<li>Employers pay more for hybrid professionals than for narrow specialists.</li>
</ul>
<hr>
<h2>Global Salary Trends</h2>
<p>Not all £240k jobs are created equal. Geography matters:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>U.S. &#x26; UK:</strong> Top-paying markets; senior roles hit £150k+, with rare outliers at £200k+.</li>
<li><strong>Europe (non-UK):</strong> Generally €60k–€100k, with slower adoption but steady demand.</li>
<li><strong>Asia-Pacific:</strong> Wide range, India (₹12–25L typical), Singapore (£55k–£85k), Australia (AUD $100k–$140k).</li>
<li><strong>Remote contracts:</strong> Common, but compensation depends on employer location, not just skills.</li>
</ul>
<p>The bottom line: don’t expect Silicon Valley paycheques in Berlin or Singapore.</p>
<hr>
<h2>Skills That Will Future-Proof Your Career</h2>
<p>If you want to ride the AI career wave long-term, here’s what matters more than memorising prompt tricks:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Critical thinking &#x26; reasoning</strong> → knowing what to ask AI and why.</li>
<li><strong>Data literacy</strong> → cleaning, interpreting, and feeding the right data into models.</li>
<li><strong>Domain expertise</strong> → pairing AI with industry knowledge.</li>
<li><strong>Workflow automation</strong> → integrating AI with tools (APIs, Zapier, cloud).</li>
<li><strong>Ethics &#x26; governance awareness</strong> → compliance will be huge as regulations tighten.</li>
</ul>
<p>These are the <strong>transferable skills</strong> that won’t vanish when GPT-6 makes your prompt template obsolete.</p>
<p>👉 Related reading: <a href="/blog/ai_safeguards/">The AI Revolution and Its Human Cost: Where Are the Safety Nets?</a></p>
<hr>
<h1>The Psychology Behind Inflated Tech Salary Claims</h1>
<p>Why do people fixate on these eye-catching figures? It's career anxiety meets marketing manipulation.</p>
<p>These salary headlines serve recruitment agencies, course creators, and media outlets.<br>
The <strong>£240K figure</strong>, often cherry-picked from senior roles or including unvested equity—becomes the misleading benchmark everyone chases.</p>
<p>We've seen this before:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Data Science (2012–2016):</strong> "Sexiest job" claims drove bootcamp enrollment. Salaries peaked in 2014, then normalized.</li>
<li><strong>Blockchain (2017–2018):</strong> Six-figure promises attracted thousands into Solidity courses. The 2018 crypto winter left developers competing for scarce roles.</li>
<li><strong>Web3 (2021–2022):</strong> £80K+ "Community Manager" roles vanished when the bubble burst.</li>
</ul>
<p>In reality, UK prompt engineering roles typically pay <strong>£35K–£70K</strong>, with senior positions reaching <strong>£90K–£120K</strong>.<br>
The <strong>£240K outliers</strong> represent equity-heavy packages at unicorns or inflated job descriptions.</p>
<p>Career pivots based on salary headlines ignore market timing and sustainability.<br>
Before chasing the next gold rush, ask: <em>Are you solving real problems or riding hype waves?</em></p>
<p>The most recession-proof strategy? <strong>Build foundational skills that transcend trending job titles.</strong></p>
<p>So before you rush out to buy the latest <em>"Master AI Prompting"</em> book, consider whether you're investing in genuine skills, or just feeding into the hype cycle that benefits everyone except you.</p>
<hr>
<h2>The Future: Tool or Fad?</h2>
<p>Here’s the philosophical angle:</p>
<ul>
<li>If AI keeps advancing, “prompt engineering” as a standalone job <em>fades</em>.</li>
<li>But as a <strong>skill</strong>, it becomes as fundamental as Excel was in the 1990s.</li>
</ul>
<p>Imagine a future where every professional, marketers, lawyers, analysts, is expected to know how to “engineer prompts” to get work done. Not as a job title, but as a baseline competency.</p>
<p>That’s where the market is headed. And that means the real winners will be <strong>those who combine prompt skills with domain expertise.</strong></p>


Discover the truth behind six-figure prompt engineering salaries. Explore real-world income ranges, AI job market trends, and whether this career path is sustainable or just another tech hype cycle.

Prompt Engineering Salary: Hype, Reality, and What Comes Next

<h1>AI in Recruitment: Why Algorithms Might Reject You Before a Human Ever Reads Your CV</h1>
<p>Here’s a terrifying but true scenario:<br>
You could be the most qualified candidate for a job, but an <strong>AI in recruitment software</strong> might silently trash your CV before a single human lays eyes on it.</p>
<p>No interview. No feedback. Just algorithmic oblivion.</p>
<p>It’s not a dystopian movie plot, it’s happening right now in Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and even scrappy startups that think a chatbot equals innovation.</p>
<p>AI hiring tools promise <strong>efficiency, fairness, and objectivity.</strong> The reality? A mix of corporate power plays, flawed data, and unintentional discrimination. And unless we shine a spotlight on it, the system will continue rejecting brilliant candidates for all the wrong reasons.</p>
<hr>
<h2>The Rise of Automation in Hiring</h2>
<p>Recruitment has always been messy. Too many résumés, too few recruiters, and way too much bias. Enter AI, marketed as the silver bullet for HR.</p>
<p>Here’s what companies <em>say</em> AI can do:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Parse résumés in seconds</strong> and match keywords to job descriptions.</li>
<li><strong>Screen candidates automatically,</strong> cutting down recruiter workload.</li>
<li><strong>Conduct AI-powered video interviews,</strong> analyzing facial expressions, tone, and even word choice.</li>
<li><strong>Predict performance</strong> by spotting "high potential" candidates based on past data.</li>
</ul>
<p>Sounds like utopia for overworked HR teams. But here’s the catch: these systems aren’t actually "intelligent." They’re just pattern-matching machines with a side of statistical guesswork.</p>
<p>If history is biased (and it always is), then the AI will be biased too.</p>
<hr>
<h2>The Keyword Lottery: Why Résumés Are Doomed</h2>
<p>Let’s talk résumés. AI systems are trained to hunt for <strong>keywords.</strong> If the job ad says "Python, SQL, and cloud computing," you’d better have those exact words on your CV, or the AI may bin you instantly.</p>
<p>Here’s the kicker: you might <em>have</em> those skills, but if you phrased them differently ("data analysis with scripting languages"), the AI doesn’t care. You’re invisible.</p>
<p>This isn’t merit-based hiring. It’s a keyword lottery.</p>
<p>And unlike human recruiters, AI won’t get curious and think, <em>"Hmm, this candidate doesn’t have the word ‘cloud’ but has AWS certifications, that counts."</em><br>
Nope. It’s binary: yes or no.</p>
<p>Efficiency, yes. Fairness? Not even close.</p>
<hr>
<h2>AI Bias in HR: From Hidden Prejudice to Supercharged Discrimination</h2>
<p>Remember Amazon’s AI recruiting scandal in 2018? Their model penalized résumés that included the word "women’s" (as in "women’s soccer team captain") because historically, most successful candidates were male.</p>
<p>That wasn’t just bias slipping in, that was bias weaponized at scale.</p>
<p>Now fast forward:</p>
<ul>
<li>Video AI tools like <strong>HireVue</strong> analyzed micro-expressions in interviews, ranking candidates based on how "confident" they looked. Problem: it penalized people with accents, disabilities, and even poor internet connections.</li>
<li>A <strong>2019 academic study</strong> found that résumé-screening AIs disproportionately downgraded candidates from historically Black colleges.</li>
<li><strong>Recent lawsuits</strong> (NYC and Illinois) are pushing back, forcing companies to audit their AI systems for bias, but compliance is patchy at best.</li>
</ul>
<p>When we talk about <strong>AI bias in HR,</strong> we’re not talking about minor inconveniences. We’re talking about entire demographics systematically sidelined by flawed algorithms.</p>
<hr>
<h2>The Corporate Angle: Why Companies Love AI Recruitment</h2>
<p>Let’s not sugarcoat this. Corporations aren’t rolling out AI because they love fairness or equality. They’re doing it because:</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>It cuts costs.</strong> Why pay 10 recruiters when you can pay for one software license?</li>
<li><strong>It speeds things up.</strong> Faster hiring = faster profits.</li>
<li><strong>It reduces liability (on paper).</strong> If an algorithm makes the call, maybe they think they can’t be sued for bias. (Spoiler: they can and have been.)</li>
</ol>
<p>But the real kicker? <strong>Opacity.</strong></p>
<p>Most companies have no idea how their AI tools actually make decisions. The algorithms are black boxes, often proprietary, shielded by vendors who hide behind "trade secrets."</p>
<p>So candidates don’t know why they were rejected. Recruiters don’t know either. And vendors just cash the checks.</p>
<p>That’s not meritocracy. That’s digital gatekeeping.</p>
<hr>
<h2>Real-World Examples: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly</h2>
<h3>The Good: Skills-First Screening</h3>
<p>Some AI platforms genuinely try to level the playing field. They focus on skill assessments instead of résumés, giving candidates from non-traditional backgrounds (bootcamps, career switchers) a fairer shot.</p>
<h3>The Bad: Automated Ghosting</h3>
<p>Candidates apply, the AI rejects them instantly, and they never hear back. No explanation, no feedback, nothing. For job seekers, it’s demoralizing and opaque.</p>
<h3>The Ugly: Facial Recognition in Interviews</h3>
<p>Companies have used AI to analyze facial tics and tone in video interviews. Not only is this junk science, it discriminates against neurodivergent candidates, introverts, and people with cultural differences in communication style.</p>
<hr>
<h2>The Skills-First Solution (If We Get It Right)</h2>
<p>Here’s where I’ll flip the script. Despite all the flaws, AI <em>can</em> improve recruitment, if it’s done right.</p>
<p>The holy grail? <strong>A skills-first approach.</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Instead of résumé keywords, use work samples and practical tests.</li>
<li>Instead of pedigree (Harvard vs. community college), assess actual ability.</li>
<li>Instead of black-box scoring, demand <strong>transparency</strong>: candidates deserve to know <em>why</em> they were rejected.</li>
</ul>
<p>AI could be the great equalizer, highlighting brilliant but overlooked candidates who don’t have shiny résumés but <em>do</em> have the skills to excel.</p>
<p>But for that to happen, corporations have to prioritize fairness over efficiency. And let’s be honest: that’s not happening without serious pressure.</p>
<hr>
<h2>Regulation: Who’s Policing the Robots?</h2>
<p>The good news? Regulators are starting to notice.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>New York City (2023)</strong>: Requires AI hiring tools to undergo bias audits before use.</li>
<li><strong>Illinois (2020)</strong>: Passed a law regulating AI video interviews, forcing companies to disclose when they’re using it.</li>
<li><strong>EU AI Act (incoming)</strong>: Could treat recruitment AI as "high risk," requiring strict transparency and fairness checks.</li>
</ul>
<p>The bad news? Most companies operate globally, and laws vary wildly. A firm can comply in New York but keep using biased systems everywhere else.</p>
<p>Until regulation catches up, the burden falls on job seekers and HR professionals to stay vigilant, and push back.</p>
<hr>
<h2>What Job Seekers Can Do (Without Losing Their Minds)</h2>
<p>If you’re a candidate navigating this minefield, here’s the uncomfortable truth:<br>
You have to play the game.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Optimize your résumé for keywords.</strong> Yes, it’s unfair. Yes, it feels robotic. Do it anyway.</li>
<li><strong>Highlight measurable outcomes.</strong> AI loves numbers ("increased sales by 32%").</li>
<li><strong>Don’t rely solely on applications.</strong> Build human networks. Algorithms don’t get drinks after work, people do.</li>
</ul>
<p>The system isn’t fair. But knowing how it works gives you a fighting chance.</p>
<hr>
<h2>The Future of AI in Recruitment: Tool or Tyrant?</h2>
<p>Here’s the bottom line: AI in recruitment is neither savior nor villain. It’s a tool.</p>
<p>Used responsibly, it can reduce bias, spotlight hidden talent, and save recruiters from drowning in résumés.<br>
Used recklessly, it can entrench inequality, dehumanize candidates, and let corporations dodge accountability behind "the algorithm."</p>
<p>The question isn’t <em>can</em> AI make hiring better. The question is: <strong>do companies even want it to?</strong></p>
<hr>
<h2>Conclusion: Who Do We Trust With Our Future?</h2>
<p>Recruitment is more than paperwork. It’s how people build livelihoods, careers, and futures. When we hand that process over to opaque algorithms, we’re not just optimizing, we’re gambling with human potential.</p>
<p>So here’s the provocation:</p>
<p><strong>Would you trust an algorithm to decide your worth, or should recruitment always remain, at its core, a human responsibility?</strong></p>
<hr>


AI in recruitment is reshaping hiring by automating résumé screening and interviews, but often at the cost of fairness. Discover how automation in hiring fuels bias in HR and what it means for job seekers and recruiters.

AI in Recruitment: Why Algorithms Reject CVs Before Humans Do

<h1>Rethinking Workforce Adaptation in the Age of AI Disruption</h1>
<p><em>AI-driven unemployment</em> is a growing concern as technology rapidly transforms the job market. While governments and corporations often tout retraining programs as a solution, the effectiveness of these initiatives is increasingly questioned. Let's look at the current state and limitations of reskilling efforts in the face of AI redundancy.</p>
<h1>The Pace Problem</h1>
<p>One of the most significant challenges facing retraining programs is the mismatch between the speed of technological advancement and the slower pace of education. <em>AI's Rapid Evolution</em>: AI capabilities are advancing at an unprecedented rate. A study by McKinsey Global Institute estimates that AI could automate up to 30% of work hours by 2030.</p>
<p>This rapid progression means that skills learned today may become obsolete within a few years. <em>Education's Slower Pace</em>: Traditional education and retraining programs often take months or years to complete. By the time workers finish these programs, the skills they've acquired may already be outdated and automated partly or fully by A.I.</p>
<p>Traditional state education is also lagging behind in preparing today’s children for the future. Antiquated curricula often fail to address the needs of a rapidly evolving technological landscape, while bureaucratic hurdles make it difficult to implement necessary changes. Many schools struggle with effective technology integration, and teachers frequently lack the skills to teach emerging technologies thoroughly, with limited government funding exacerbating the issue.</p>
<h1>Limited Scope and Accessibility</h1>
<p>Retraining initiatives often face challenges in terms of scope and accessibility</p>
<p><em>Narrow Focus</em>: Many programs focus on specific technical skills, potentially neglecting broader competencies that are crucial for long-term adaptability. </p>
<p><em>Uneven Access</em>: Not all workers have equal access to retraining opportunities. A report by the World Economic Forum found that those most in need of reskilling and upskilling are often the least likely to receive such training. </p>
<h1>The Effectiveness Question</h1>
<p>In Europe, the landscape is barren when it comes to addressing AI-driven displacement. Despite the looming threat, governments have been slow to implement concrete measures. Governments worldwide are grappling with how to address AI-driven unemployment, particularly with the EU's AI Act. The European Union's proposed <em>AI Act</em> includes provisions for retraining, but critics argue it doesn't go far enough in addressing the scale of potential job displacement. The World Economic Forum(WEF) has proposed potential training programs and partnerships targeting the year 2030, but these distant plans offer little solace to those currently grappling with AI-induced job losses.The absence of practical, immediate programs leaves displaced workers vulnerable in an increasingly AI-dominated labor market. There's a growing concern that by the time government initiatives finally materialize—if they do at all—the widespread economic and social damage may already be irreversible. The sluggish pace of governmental response contrasts sharply with the rapid advancement of AI technologies, potentially exacerbating the skills gap and workforce displacement.</p>
<p>The ambitious goal of retraining 600 million people by 2030 faces significant hurdles, primarily due to the inherent inefficiencies of government bureaucracies and the complexity of coordinating 370 diverse organizations. This massive undertaking raises critical questions about feasibility and execution.<br>
One of the most pressing concerns is the availability of qualified instructors. The sheer scale of the initiative demands an unprecedented number of skilled teachers capable of delivering cutting-edge training across various disciplines, from AI and data science to green technologies. Moreover, these educators must be adaptable and educated enough in their respective areas to pass along critical knowledge.</p>
<h1>Corporate Initiatives</h1>
<p>A consortium of leading tech companies, including Google, IBM, Microsoft, and Intel, has been formed to address job losses resulting from AI advancements. Spearheaded by Cisco, the AI-Enabled ICT Workforce Consortium aims to positively impact over 95 million individuals globally over the next decade by upskilling and reskilling workers for new roles in the evolving job market. Each member has set ambitious goals, such as Cisco's commitment to train 25 million people in cybersecurity and digital skills by 2032, ensuring that workers are not left behind as AI transforms various industries.</p>
<p>While the tech industry's initiatives to address AI-driven job displacement is welcome, it may come too late for many already affected by recent large-scale layoffs. With several years before these programs become accessible and the potential for more job losses, the timing remains a concern. Nevertheless, it's encouraging that companies are at least promising to tackle this issue rather than treating it like a hot potato no one wants to hold</p>
<h1>The Need for a Paradigm Shift</h1>
<p>A crucial question I ask myself is, <strong>'What should I learn?'</strong> This inquiry is particularly relevant given the unpredictability of future automation. Currently, operations, customer support, and front desk roles are in the headlights for AI replacement. Meanwhile, professions are being augmented by AI, as evidenced by this Guardian article, which reports on doctors using chatbots to assist with patient diagnoses and letter drafting. This approach of augmenting rather than replacing workers could offer a safer and softer touch of AI implementation in the workplace.</p>
<p>However, the rapid advancement of AI capabilities raises further questions about the future of even prestigious careers. There were waves last year when OpenAI revealed their new model scored in the 90th percentile on the bar exam, undertaken by lawyers. More recently, that is contested, and more generally it's accepted that it scored in the 69th percentile of all test takers according to Live Science. However, this does highlight that even prestigious careers like law are not off limits, and with 2030 marked as the potential year for achieving <strong>AGI (Artificial General Intelligence)</strong> - human-level machine intelligence - It's hard to predict which industries will be disrupted next, and what proactive steps we can take to future-proof our careers and minimise the impact.</p>
<p>It's encouraging that <em>some</em> action is being taken by Corporations &#x26; Government to mitigate the risks of AI-driven job displacement, but we need bolder and more innovative solutions to help society adapt to these impending changes. This challenge requires not only a transformation in our workforce but also a fundamental rethinking of government, corporate Responsibiltiy and education systems. Traditional bureaucratic processes and outdated educational models are ill-equipped to respond to the rapid advancements in technology. As AI continues to evolve, our response must be dynamic and comprehensive, ensuring that society can thrive in this technological revolution.</p>


AI-driven unemployment is a growing concern as technology rapidly transforms the job market.

Rethinking Workforce Adaptation in the Age of AI Disruption

<h1>The AI Revolution and Its Human Cost: Where Are the Safety Nets?</h1>
<p>I am passionate about AI and its incredible potential. I fully support the development of AI and the opportunities it offers to benefit us all. However, AI must be developed inclusively, with strong ethical considerations. One area of deep concern for me is society's lack of preparation for the AI-driven future we are being promised.</p>
<h1>Why Is This A Concern?</h1>
<p>Because there are ZERO safeguards in place!</p>
<p>Recently, I’ve been following Klarna, the Swedish fintech unicorn, which is at the forefront of AI innovation. Klarna has already reduced its workforce from a peak of 5,000 employees to 2,800, and they are now considering further cuts, potentially down to 2,000, with the help of AI. Klarna’s CEO, Sebastian Siemiatkowski, is all in on AI and closely monitors his departments to ensure their roles and responsibilities are being turned into requirements for the development team to automate. This is deeply troubling because, as more companies adopt AI and jobs become redundant, society remains unprepared. There is zero safety net—absolutely none.</p>
<p>The Klarna example is not an isolated case. Cisco has let go of 5,600 people this year to focus on AI, and there are more companies doing the same. We’re only scratching the surface of what’s to come. AI is advancing rapidly, and as companies increasingly prioritize automation, mass layoffs will inevitably follow. But where does this leave the workers? How will they transition to new careers, or even survive financially in an AI-dominated economy?</p>
<h1>The Fragility of Our Workforce: Who's Next?</h1>
<p>It’s not just customer service reps, warehouse workers, or truck drivers that are at risk. Developers, the very people building these AI systems, may also face redundancy. If history has taught us anything, it’s that technological revolutions tend to outpace the job market's ability to adapt. In fact, AI development itself could soon become a job for AI with self-training models and self-optimisation.</p>
<p>Developers are, in some ways, sowing the seeds of their own obsolescence. AI models can already write basic code and develop more efficient algorithms—what happens when they surpass human developers? As more industries rely on machine learning, the need for human programmers may diminish and the labour market is already seeing a receding of Software jobs. This raises a sobering ethical question: Are we racing to develop technologies that will ultimately displace ourselves?</p>
<p>And here's the dilemma—people aren't developing AI out of malice or disregard for others; society has us by the balls we have families, children, and bills to pay. The drive for financial security forces individuals to work on innovations that could render their own roles obsolete. Society traps us in this bind, where personal livelihood becomes a driver of collective vulnerability.</p>
<h1>The Empty Promises of Cost Reduction and Efficiency</h1>
<p>Proponents of AI often argue that automation will lower the cost of goods and services, making life more affordable for everyone. But does this really align with the reality we're seeing? Take Klarna as a case study. They report a 25% reduction in marketing and sales costs, but that "efficiency" comes largely from laying off employees, not from AI-driven innovation.</p>
<p>Moreover, large language models (LLMs) like those that power ChatGPT or other AI systems are not cheap to run. They require immense computational resources, energy, and specialised infrastructure. Even if some operational efficiencies are gained, those savings are unlikely to translate into significantly lower consumer prices—at least not in the near future. Companies, particularly large ones, are more likely to reinvest these savings into developing proprietary AI systems for privacy and intellectual property reasons, further widening the gap between those with the resources to leverage AI and the everyday people left scrambling to find new jobs.</p>
<p>The harsh truth is that AI is replacing jobs, and it will continue to do so. This leaves us grappling with a critical question: What’s the solution?</p>
<h1>Universal Basic Income: A Solution or a Pipe Dream?</h1>
<p>Some propose Universal Basic Income (UBI) as a potential answer to mass unemployment caused by AI. The idea is simple—provide everyone with a guaranteed income, regardless of employment status. It sounds appealing on paper, but is it truly feasible?</p>
<p>Consider the current economic landscape. We haven’t even solved the homelessness crisis in many countries. How would we fund a UBI? I’m no economist, but the math isn’t mathing. Most government revenue comes from taxes paid by working- and middle-class citizens—the very people who are most at risk of being replaced by AI. If they’re out of work, who funds the UBI? And can we rely on corporations to fill the gap, especially when they’ve historically shown more interest in maximizing profits than in supporting social welfare?</p>
<p>OpenAI ran a study providing 3,000 individuals with a $1,000 stipend each month for over a year. These participants were living 300% below the poverty line. The outcomes were promising—many participants reported improved financial stability, mental health, and overall well-being. However, this was a small-scale experiment, and it doesn’t address the bigger picture. How do we scale this to entire populations? Where’s the evidence that governments could fund a meaningful UBI without devastating other social programs or creating unsustainable debt?</p>
<p>Moreover, UBI comes with its own complications. Who decides the amount? What if the UBI figure ends up being significantly lower than what individuals earned before AI made their jobs redundant? A fixed income may stabilize some households, but it could also trap others in financial stagnation, particularly those who had higher salaries and lifestyles built around them.</p>
<h1>The Need for Government and Corporate Responsibility</h1>
<p>It’s clear that we need a comprehensive plan for the future—a safety net that goes beyond vague promises of AI-driven prosperity. Governments need to take AI seriously and implement policies that prepare society for large-scale job displacement. This means expanding retraining programs, enhancing unemployment benefits, and possibly even rethinking labour laws to accommodate the evolving job market.</p>
<p>Corporations also have a role to play. They cannot wash their hands of social responsibility by simply pointing to increased profits or improved efficiency metrics. If they are replacing jobs with AI, they should invest in supporting displaced workers through severance packages, retraining programs, and community support initiatives. The age of AI shouldn’t be just about profits; it needs to be about people, too.</p>
<h1>Sounding The Alarm</h1>
<p>AI will transform our society—there’s no stopping that. But we must demand that the transition is handled ethically and inclusively. Governments need to step up, corporations need to be held accountable, and we, as individuals, need to push for answers. Right now, we're already seeing a flatlined labour market and job losses caused by AI, and the safety nets are nowhere to be found. “Desperate” tags are appearing on LinkedIn; it’s gotten so bad.</p>
<p>We are on the brink of an AI revolution, but without the right safeguards in place, the cost of that revolution could be our very livelihoods. Now, more than ever, we must ensure that the future of work or what comes after, includes everyone.</p>


I'am passionate about AI and its incredible potential. I fully support the development of AI and the opportunities it offers to benefit us all.

The AI Revolution and Its Human Cost: Where Are the Safety Nets?

<h1><strong>Google Maps Weather App Overhaul</strong></h1>
<p>I'm excited to share an update on my journey in software development. Recently, I decided to revisit one of my early portfolio projects, a weather app. This app retrieves weather data from the OpenWeather API and uses the Google Maps API as its interface. Users can simply drag the Google Maps marker to their city to find local weather information. While the concept was straightforward, I was never quite satisfied with the project's user interface. Now, armed with more experience and several additional projects, I felt it was time for an upgrade.</p>
<p>Upon diving into the codebase, I was met with the shock of my spaghetti code—unformatted, with API requests and keys exposed in the frontend, non-reusable code, redundant calls, and many unused global variables. To make matters worse, I discovered that one of the features was fetching incorrect timezones for certain countries. This project was far from presentable to potential employers; it needed a complete overhaul.</p>
<p>Without hesitation, I embarked on the journey to improve and modernize this project. It took roughly two weeks of dedicated effort, but the results were worth it. My first order of business was securing the API keys in a .env file and adding them to the .gitignore file. Next, I undertook a complete UI redesign, giving the weather app an iPhone-inspired interface. It was eye-opening to see how much my CSS skills had improved. This time, achieving the desired look was quicker and smoother. II also baked in a backend to fetch the API keys using Node and express.</p>
<p>I introduced two additional async fetch requests—one for sunrise and sunset times for a given location and another for worldtimeapi, which provided accurate time data for any location, addressing the incorrect time issues from the initial project. By using longitude and latitude data from Google Maps to retrieve sunrise/sunset times and timezone IDs (e.g., Sweden/Europe), I could obtain precise time information from worldtimeapi. This resolved my initial bugs. Furthermore, I refactored some functions to enhance modularity and readability, and I incorporated more error handling, a significant improvement over the first iteration of the project. One lesson I learned and plan to apply in future projects is the importance of adding more comments to my code.</p>
<p>Overall, I'm delighted with the project's new look and functionality. Working on this old project was a rewarding experience, and I gained valuable insights into using async functions effectively and prioritizing security, especially when handling sensitive data like API keys. Additionally, I didn't forget to add a backend, which provided valuable experience in setting up a server.</p>
<p>I'm eager to revisit more of my older projects, making upgrades and improvements along the way.</p>


Excited to share an update on my journey in software development. Recently, I decided to revisit one of my early portfolio projects

Weather App Project Overhaul

<p>Unleash Your Learning Potential : Discover the Science-Backed Strategies to Supercharge Your Progress and Ignite a Lifelong Passion for Growth or Skill Acquisition. Below I will discuss strategies that I've used and that can be applied to various areas of learning. I will be offering concise understanding of each concept, providing you with the knowledge and insights to confidently navigate and apply these strategies in your own learning.</p>
<h1>The Feynman Technique</h1>
<p>This Technique works by breaking down a complex topic into smaller, more manageable pieces. Once you have a good understanding of the smaller pieces, you can then put them together to form a complete understanding of the topic.</p>
<p>The essence of the idea is that after acquiring a skill or knowledge, the true measure of your understanding lies in your capacity to articulate it in easily understandable terms to someone without expertise in the subject. This involves using clear and straightforward language, free from technical jargon, and supplementing your explanation with relatable examples and analogies. If you find yourself struggling to convey the concept in a simple manner, it indicates an area that requires further attention and signals the need to revisit and review the learning materials.</p>
<h1>The Pomodoro Technique</h1>
<p>The Pomodoro Technique is a proven method for enhancing productivity and maintaining focus by dividing study sessions into shorter, concentrated intervals. By following these step-by-step instructions, you can effectively apply this technique to your work or study:</p>
<p>The Pomodoro technique can enhance focus, productivity, and task performance, as evidenced by several studies. I opt for 30-minute intervals rather than the recommended 25 as it just makes sense for me. Personally, I find this method to be highly effective because it aligns with my natural bursts of focus during shorter intervals, helping me maintain a fresh mindset. In the past, I noticed that studying for extended periods of time would wipe me out for the rest of the day. However, with the Pomodoro technique, I can sustain a high level of productivity throughout the day. Give it a try, and you may discover a significant improvement in your daily productivity and overall efficiency!</p>
<h1>Deliberate Practice:</h1>
<p>Finally, I want to touch on this technique. Deliberate practice offers a structured and purposeful approach to skill acquisition. It challenges traditional teaching methods and emphasizes the importance of starting with a clear goal and creating a plan to achieve it.</p>
<p>To apply deliberate practice to learn new skills, you need to:</p>
<p>To provide some context, let's consider the journey of becoming a software developer. It begins with identifying your desire to become a software developer. You break it down and learn the fundamentals: JS, HTML, CSS, data types, and methods. Next, you gain hands-on coding experience to reinforce your understanding through small projects, open-source contributions, or larger projects. These projects facilitate the acquisition of new skills.</p>
<p>Afterwards, you seek feedback from mentors or individuals reviewing your code and projects. Building a portfolio becomes crucial as it showcases your work to prospective employers. Utilize the feedback received to make improvements and identify areas for continuous learning and optimization.</p>
<p>By incorporating these deliberate practice principles into your learning and skill development, you can optimize your progress and work towards achieving mastery in your chosen area. S.M.A.R.T goals can work synergistically with Deliberate Practice and helps add structure and measure your progress with precision.</p>
<p>This is another great technique to master skills and learn new things. It does require commitment and focus. These are some of the few techniques I use to help me achieve my lifelong learning mission. I wanted to share these with anyone struggling to implement a routine for learning, and I hope you find them useful.</p>


Discover the Science-Backed Strategies to Supercharge Your Progress and Ignite a Lifelong Passion for Growth or Skill Acquisition...

Unlocking Your Learning Potential: Strategies for Lifelong Learning 

<h1>How do you prepare for AI in the workplace?</h1>
<p>The hottest topic of 2023 is AI. Machine learning, Artificial Intelligence. Words that, if you spend any amount of time on social media, you'd be hard-pressed not to hear on a daily basis. There seems to be much excitement but also existential dread around AI, and its impact on the world. I ran a poll on LinkedIn, which was very mixed in sentiments towards the adoption and growth of AI within the workplace. There is some huge implications for humanity but I'll be focusing on employment here, so how do we prepare?</p>
<p>Let's start with the excitement. Why wouldn't we be excited about AI? It's a tool that will make our lives easier, right? I see new AI tools popping up daily, from writing a resume to automating job applications, SEO, and content creation. What's not to be excited about? These tools are set to make many menial aspects of a job automated and this is just the beginning.</p>
<p>However WEF report on the future of jobs estimates that by 2025, 85 million people could be replaced by AI. A Mckinsey Report report suggests that up to 800 million jobs could be taken over by AI by 2030. Many blue-collar jobs have already been affected by robots, but the rapid growth of AI is set to hit white-collar jobs as well. Some of the good news from these reports is that AI could also create up to 950 million jobs by 2030. Luckily, there is some guidance on how to prepare so we don't become part of what Yuval Noah Harari would describe as the <em>useless class</em>. I'm going to share that guidance with you today.</p>
<h3>Becoming a lifelong learner</h3>
<p>In the face of AI, it is more important than ever to become a lifelong learner. We should take steps to upskill and, in some cases, reskill. While it is hard to predict the future, it might be a good bet to target the technology industry. Some reports also suggest education or healthcare as industries that could grow. I suggest tech because I believe being as close as possible to AI and what's coming is a safe bet. There are the traditional trajectories like cybersecurity, data science, and web development, but also emerging jobs like AI prompt engineers and other yet unknown jobs that could emerge.</p>
<p>If you're coming from another industry, you should identify your interests and find relevant courses, training programs, and resources that will help you achieve your goals. This also applies to university students and school leavers. You can take a traditional education in university, but you should also keep adding additional skills to your repertoire via courses, free or otherwise. I may one day elaborate on my journey from recruitment to web development and content creation, too, because just like you, I want to stay relevant in this quickly changing landscape.</p>
<p>Another valuable application is to learn and effectively utilize AI tools that are relevant to your current job, enabling you to automate tasks and streamline your workload. The more immediate threat to job security is other people who use AI and do the job of 5 people because of it. These people will be more hirable and attractive prospects to companies. Consider the recent release of the Google Generative A.I Course<br>
, which holds immense potential for professionals in marketing and content creation. So we should look for tools and upskill in areas that can increase our efficiency in our current role and by extension make us valuable to our jobs.</p>
<h3>Networking &#x26; Social Media</h3>
<p>To further explore the importance of networking and personal branding, I invite you to check out my previous article on Building A Personal Brand.This resource will provide you with valuable insights and pointers to get started. Moreover, networking and social media have a direct relevance to AI and can significantly contribute to your ability to stay ahead in the game.</p>
<p>Personally, I might have been unaware of the Generative AI course mentioned earlier had it not been for my network. It highlights the significance of maintaining connections and leveraging them to gain insights into emerging fields and advancements. As AI continues to gain prevalence in the workplace, reports suggest that networking is one of the key strategies to implement in order to stay relevant.</p>
<p>In conclusion, embrace the exhilarating journey of becoming a perpetual learner and masterful networker, catapulting your job prospects and unleashing untapped earning potential. As the unstoppable force of AI surges forward, it is our unwavering determination to adapt and evolve that will ensure our unyielding relevance in this ever-changing landscape.</p>


The hottest topic of 2023 is AI. Machine learning, Artificial Intelligence. Words that, if you spend any amount of time on social media...

AI in the Workforce: How to Stay Relevant?

<h1>Build a C.V worth Interviewing</h1>
<p><strong>The importance of a good CV cannot be overstated</strong>, as it serves as your first impression when seeking employment. Having spent several years reviewing resumes as a recruiter, I've learned what hiring managers appreciate and what can secure an interview or even a job offer. Unfortunately, I've also encountered candidates with the right experience who committed the cardinal sin of submitting a poorly written CV, resulting in their rejection. In this blog post, I will guide you on how to avoid those mistakes that hinder you from getting past the first set of eyes because there’s nothing worse than being rejected not because you aren’t qualified but because you didn’t follow this advice.</p>
<h3>Using a C.V template</h3>
<p>It can be a helpful starting point when creating your own CV to use a template. Templates provide a structured format that ensures your CV is well-organized and visually appealing. They offer a professional design and layout, saving you time and effort in creating a CV from scratch.</p>
<p>Tailoring the template to your specific needs and industry is crucial to stand out from other applicants. The content in the CV is just as important as the way the content is displayed. There's nothing worse than a badly formatted C.V and can be outputting to any prospective C.V screener.</p>
<p>Here are a few resources that offer free templates that you can use but <em>the list is not exhaustive</em>. I prefer the very basic C.V templates rather than the elaborate ones.</p>
<ol>
<li><a href="https://www.resumgo.com/">Resumgo</a></li>
<li><a href="https://sheetsresume.com/resume-template/">Sheets Resume</a></li>
<li><a href="https://templates.office.com/en-us/resumes-and-cover-letters">Microsoft Office Templates</a></li>
</ol>
<p>These websites provide a variety of CV templates to choose from and best of all they’re free to use. Remember to select a template that aligns with your industry and showcases your skills and qualifications effectively. I will say, in most cases a basic design works best.</p>
<h3>Being Concise &#x26; Effective</h3>
<p>When crafting an effective CV, it is important to prioritize conciseness. Avoid overexplaining every detail and instead focus on presenting relevant and impactful information. A concise CV enables hiring managers and recruiters to quickly understand your skills, experiences, and achievements without becoming overwhelmed by unnecessary details. After completing your CV, take a moment to read it from top to bottom in 10-15 seconds. This exercise will help you determine if the overall message effectively represents your professional profile. Keep in mind that studies suggest recruiters often spend around 8 seconds reviewing your resume to assess your suitability for the role. As a recruiter, I personally spend more than the suggested time reviewing a CV, but I tend to focus on keywords using CTRL+F to search. This brings us to the next important point: effectiveness. Ensure that you include relevant keywords in your resume. For example, a developer should mention their dominant programming language, frameworks, and tools they use. Even if it may seem obvious that a Frontend Developer should know HTML &#x26; CSS, it's still important to include these keywords in your CV because it may not be immediately apparent to the reviewer. If in doubt review the job description you intend to apply to and incorporate their keywords into your C.V.</p>
<h3>Spelling and Structure</h3>
<p>Integrating AI and Chat GPT into the process of spell checking, formatting and structuring your C.V can be a valuable tool to enhance its quality and presentation. I utilize this technology to maximize the impact of my written words, which I refer to as <em>AGCV (Artificially Generated CV)</em>. AI has a unique ability to express ideas in a logical manner, enabling both spell checking and streamlining of language.</p>
<p>During my exploration of AI resume building tools, I had the opportunity to test several options, and I would like to share the ones that I found particularly useful. It's important to note that I do not have any collaborations or affiliations with these tools; my recommendations are solely based on my personal experience and assessment of their quality. These tools offer a free basic plan to create a CV using AI for formatting, wording and sentence formulation.</p>
<ol>
<li><a href="https://app.wonsulting.ai/">ResumAI</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kickresume.com/">Kick Resume</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kickresume.com/">Hiration</a></li>
<li><a href="rezi.ai">Rezi AI</a></li>
</ol>
<p>Ensuring that your CV is free of spelling errors is crucial. In fact, <em>I have witnessed hiring managers reject candidates for a single spelling mistake in a language that is not their native tongue</em>. For this reason, I would also recommend having a human double-check your completed C.V. While there are CV reviewing agencies available, I discourage their use. In my opinion, utilizing both AI and a human proofreader can achieve an equally effective result at zero cost.</p>
<h3>C.V length</h3>
<p>When it comes to the length of your CV, it's essential to aim for a concise document of one to two pages. Going beyond this limit is generally discouraged as it may overwhelm the reviewer. However, if you have extensive experience spanning several years, it's understandable that your CV might extend to more pages.</p>
<p>To effectively manage the length, start by elaborating on your three to four most recent and relevant positions. Provide detailed information about your responsibilities, achievements, and impact in those roles. For earlier positions, it's acceptable to list them with basic details such as the company name, job title, and dates, without delving into extensive descriptions. This approach allows you to prioritize the most relevant experiences and accomplishments while maintaining brevity and keeping the focus on what matters most to the reader.</p>
<h3>Explaining the Gap in Your CV</h3>
<p>This is a significant issue and could be an article on its own. Suffice it to say, you should always be able to explain why you have a gap in your CV. Come up with valid reasons for the gap and don't avoid the issue. Instead, include it in your CV as something like a "planned career break." When asked about it, be prepared with a solid reason. Avoid explanations that might imply an inability to obtain or maintain employment.</p>
<p>There you have it—those are the major themes that I highly encourage you to follow in order to increase your chances of success in the job market. Some smaller questions that have been asked over the years include whether to include your picture in your CV. In my opinion, this is a matter of preference, and I wouldn't say it negatively impacts your chances of passing the initial screening. As for hobbies, I would omit them as they don't add much to your experience. However, I haven't seen them have a negative effect unless you include something truly absurd. By "absurd," I mean anything that would make your employer question your ability to perform consistently.</p>


The importance of a good CV cannot be overstated, as it serves as your first impression when seeking employment...

Building a CV That Will Get You Interviewed

<h1>Leverage Social Media for Career Success</h1>
<p>Social media is an invaluable tool when it comes to achieving career success. Taking a proactive approach by investing in developing your online presence can be the difference between landing that dream job or missing out on important networking opportunities. Applying yourself to various media platforms can be immensely rewarding, as there are many benefits offered by social media for optimising your career potential.</p>
<p>You may be wondering why it is important to have a presence on platforms like Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter. Well, these websites are excellent resources for networking and building connections with people who may have knowledge of career opportunities which would otherwise be out of reach. Many firms including the ones in which I've been employed have posted job openings through social media outlets. Furthermore, developing your network is significant as it gives you an audience in which you can present yourself as someone seeking employment and will help you attract opportunities.</p>
<p>Most importantly, you're establishing yourself as a career-driven individual and creating a brand that businesses can engage with. Whether we like it or not employers do keep themselves involved with the online presense of their employees as they are an extension of themselves. So for that reason we should be mindful what we are posting and ensure our content presents us in the best possible light. Employers will observe your involvement in applicable conversations, so make it meaningful when connecting and engaging with others on topics related to your interests. Just as developers use GitHub to demonstrate their enthusiasm for coding to prospective employers, you need to use social media to show employers your eagerness and passion for your craft. This online representation will set you apart from others vying for the same opportunities. Additionally, this endeavour has added value because it provides an audience that can engage with you if you were to ever go freelancing or launch a business venture in the future.</p>
<p>Establishing such a presence takes consistent work - engaging in conversations related to your interests, sharing insights, news articles, and thoughts, opinions, or ideas around topics of interest, and polling your audience are all great ways of doing this. Exploring industry-specific meetups in your local and neighboring areas, and beyond, can be a game-changer for your professional network. Countless success stories have emerged from connections made at these events, leading to job opportunities and fruitful collaborations for entrepreneurs.Exploring industry-specific meetups in your local and neighboring areas, and beyond, can be a game-changer for your professional network. Countless success stories have emerged from connections made at these events, leading to job opportunities and fruitful collaborations for entrepreneurs. Moreover, don't forget to ask previous employers/colleagues for recommendations on LinkedIn!</p>
<p>For businesses, harnessing the power of brand recognition can be an invaluable asset - and the same rings true for individuals. To become a well-known and respected figure in the job market, take steps to position yourself as a trusted brand. So don't delay, start today and If you really want to Code your Career, <em>this is the way.</em></p>


Social media is an invaluable tool when it comes to achieving career success. Taking a proactive approach by investing in developing your online...

Coded Career

CODEDCAREER

Categories

Prompt Engineering Salary: Hype, Reality, and What Comes Next

Marlon Stevenson

AI in Recruitment: Why Algorithms Reject CVs Before Humans Do

Marlon Stevenson

Rethinking Workforce Adaptation in the Age of AI Disruption

Marlon Stevenson

The AI Revolution and Its Human Cost: Where Are the Safety Nets?

Marlon Stevenson

Weather App Project Overhaul

Marlon Stevenson

Unlocking Your Learning Potential: Strategies for Lifelong Learning

Marlon Stevenson