Will AI Take My Job Away? Insights from the kood/JobFair panel

5.03.2025

Artificial intelligence has been making waves across industries, sparking both excitement and concern about the future of work. At the kood/JobFair, industry experts gathered to discuss one of the most pressing questions of our time: Will AI take my job away?

The discussion, moderated by Lauri Haav, CEO of //kood, brought together Olgun Çakabey (Competence Lead at Swedbank), Ragnar Toomla (Chief Product Owner at SEB), Vadzim Zapolski-Dounar (Principal Software Engineer at Pipedrive), and Martin Kapp (Head of Engineering Platform at Omniva) to unpack the impact of AI on the job market. While concerns about automation replacing human workers are valid, the panelists largely agreed that AI is more likely to transform jobs rather than eliminate them altogether.

AI as an augmenter, not a replacer

Olgun Çakabey highlighted how AI is already reshaping the finance sector, enabling employees to focus on strategic decision-making rather than repetitive tasks. He emphasised that instead of fearing job loss, professionals should focus on how AI can enhance their productivity.

Similarly, Ragnar Toomla from SEB noted that AI acts as a co-pilot, allowing teams to automate tedious tasks while human expertise remains essential for creativity, critical thinking, and ethical decision-making.

The need for adaptability

Vadzim Zapolski-Dounar of Pipedrive pointed out that developers and tech professionals should embrace continuous learning. “The landscape of work is shifting, and those who upskill and learn how to collaborate with AI will thrive in the future,” he said. He encouraged attendees to explore AI tools, experiment with automation, and stay ahead of industry trends.

Martin Kapp from Omniva shared insights from the logistics sector, where AI is playing a crucial role in optimizing supply chains. However, he emphasized that human problem-solving skills remain irreplaceable. “AI can analyze data, but it still takes people to understand the bigger picture and make the right decisions,” he explained.

Preparing for an AI-driven future

The panelists agreed that embracing AI as a tool rather than a threat is key to job security. Some actionable takeaways for professionals included:

  • Stay curious: Keep learning about AI advancements relevant to your field.
  • Develop soft skills: Communication, critical thinking, and adaptability will be even more valuable in an AI-driven workplace.
  • Leverage AI tools: Instead of resisting change, explore how AI can streamline your workflow.

Final thoughts

So, will AI take your job away? Not if you’re prepared. The future of work belongs to those who are adaptable, eager to learn, and open to leveraging AI as a powerful ally. As the panelists emphasised, the question shouldn’t be whether AI will replace jobs, but rather how we can use AI to create new opportunities and redefine the way we work.

Want to hear the full discussion? Watch the panel talk from the kood/Job Fair and gain deeper insights into the evolving job market in the age of AI!