Fiverr CEO Warns AI Could Replace Millions of Jobs

Fiverr CEO Micha Kaufman has issued a stark warning about the impact of artificial intelligence on employment, stating that AI is poised to disrupt a wide range of professions. In an internal email shared publicly, Kaufman emphasized that roles such as programming, design, product management, data science, law, customer support, sales, and finance are all susceptible to automation. He highlighted that tasks once considered straightforward are being automated, raising the bar for what is deemed valuable work. Kaufman stressed the necessity for individuals to become exceptional in their fields to maintain relevance in the evolving job market.

This cautionary message aligns with recent statements from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who predicted that within the next 12 to 18 months, AI will be responsible for writing the majority of Meta’s code. Zuckerberg clarified that this advancement goes beyond simple autocomplete functions, involving sophisticated AI systems capable of setting goals, conducting tests, identifying issues, and producing code that surpasses the quality of work by top engineers.

The trend is not isolated to Meta. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella disclosed that approximately 30% of Microsoft’s code is now generated by AI, while Google CEO Sundar Pichai reported that over 25% of new code at Google is AI-created. These developments suggest a significant shift in the role of AI within major tech companies.

Supporting these observations, a McKinsey report indicates that AI could automate 30% of U.S. work by 2030. Additionally, research from Goldman Sachs suggests that AI might eliminate 300 million jobs globally and automate two-thirds of work in the U.S. and Europe. These projections underscore the potential scale of AI-driven job displacement.

In response to these challenges, Kaufman advises professionals to master AI tools relevant to their industries. For instance, he recommends Cursor, an AI code editor, for programmers, and Legora for legal research and document review. However, he cautions that AI is not infallible; instances have occurred where lawyers cited non-existent cases generated by AI, leading to professional setbacks.

Kaufman’s message is clear: without becoming exceptional in one’s field and adept at utilizing AI tools, individuals may find themselves needing to change careers within months. He warns that the value of one’s work could diminish rapidly in the face of advancing automation.

This perspective is echoed by other industry leaders. Shopify CEO Tobi Lutke has encouraged employees to explore AI solutions before requesting additional human resources. Similarly, Duolingo CEO Luis von Ahn has announced plans to gradually transition the company to an AI-first model, indicating a broader trend toward AI integration across various sectors.

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