An HP president says AI isn't coming for everybody's job, only the jobs of people who don't learn to use it

If you're a recent graduate, you're probably feeling some anxiety about entering the workforce. Employees — especially Gen Zs — report feeling burned out, while return-to-office mandates are affecting people's work-life balance. And as CEOs bluster about AI wiping out half of all entry-level white collar jobs, employees and soon-to-be employees naturally feel concerned for their future.

It's often said that millennials grew up with smartphones, and in a similar way, today's grads are getting in on the ground floor with AI. When I graduated from college in the 90s, most people in the workforce could barely use the internet, so my generation thrived because we were fluent in the online world. In a similar way, it's early enough for fresh grads to be a part of this first wave of AI use. AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini all provide free options, and you can gain a competitive advantage by learning to use them now.

But AI isn't coming for everybody's job — it's coming for the jobs of people who don't learn to use AI. I feel confident that AI will make work more rewarding and enjoyable if you give it the opportunity.

AI is evolving entry-level work

AI won't be leading a meeting with your biggest client anytime soon, or finalizing the plans for your spring offsite, or hiring the next VP of sales. Despite CEOs arguing that AI will take over entry-level work, enterprises are not ready to roll AI out across the entire organization.

Instead, AI will help by doing the tedious parts of your job that you don't enjoy, freeing you up for more meaningful work. You'll still lead your client meeting, but an AI tool will crank out a draft of the presentation and summarize the meeting notes afterward. You'll still make the important decisions about your offsite, but AI will find you 20 locations to choose from — and email them all to check for availability.

In this way, AI operates much more like an assistant than a new colleague who you'll have to compete with to keep your job. Your intelligence, judgment, and awareness will remain indispensable for this type of work.

So yes, AI may be taking components of entry-level work, but it's not eliminating job opportunities entirely; it's evolving what entry-level work looks like.

This kind of automation will allow you to gain more high-quality work experience early in your career, leading to faster growth and career advancement. Tech has a history of creating more jobs, not fewer, and AI is no different. Now is the time to start learning and using AI tools to get ahead of the curve.

Fresh grads can leverage AI to be their career assistant

Forget generic résumés that get lost in the pile; AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini can dissect job descriptions, pinpoint essential keywords, and supercharge your résumé and cover letter so that they make it past automated screening systems.

AI tools can also generate realistic mock interview questions to assist with interview preparation.

Think of AI as a 24/7 career assistant. Powerful AI agents like OpenAI's Operator function can even scan job boards and submit applications on your behalf. These capabilities are still emerging, but the outcome is that you'll be able to expand your job search and apply for many more roles with precisely targeted applications.

Just don't over-index on your AI use. If you use AI to spruce up your cover letter, read closely to ensure it's accurate and still sounds like you and doesn't exaggerate your capabilities. Otherwise, you run the risk of falling short of expectations when potential employers meet you in person, or winding up in a job where you're out of your depth.

A consumer-like tech experience at the office

AI will also streamline the tech experience at work.

I often think about how good the tech experience has become in our personal lives. My smartphone updates in the background and connects automatically to my TV and car. AI-powered apps like Uber and DoorDash have made my life so convenient that I take them for granted.

But tech in the workplace hasn't kept up. For example, I was about to join a board meeting recently when my videoconferencing system decided to install an update. Last month, I was building a presentation when the software crashed without saving my last changes.

AI will analyze the experience of millions of users and learn when it's the best time to update your Zoom (hint: it's not right before a meeting). It'll also recognize that your computer is slowing down and automatically alert the IT department to fix or replace it, saving you the hassle.

In addition, AI will handle interactions with internal departments like IT, HR, and payroll. You won't have to waste time submitting expense reports, filing tickets, or asking questions about benefits and leave policies. These are all tasks that will be made faster and easier with AI.

How to get the most out of AI

If your company dumps a new set of technologies onto you when you're already feeling overwhelmed, it's likely to cause frustration rather than make your job easier.

Here's how you can get the most out of AI tools and actually look forward to using them:

• Ask questions about how AI will impact your role. Don't wait for clarity — be proactive and find out how these tools will affect your day-to-day tasks and long-term career.
• Identify how AI can enhance your workflows. Look for ways these tools can save time, reduce manual effort, or improve decision-making. Your goal should be to build a reliable, repeatable motion that can scale.
• Take charge of your learning. Invest time in mastering the tech's capabilities and understanding its limitations. You can accelerate learning through experimentation, trial and error, and by using GenAI tools.
• Stay informed about your company's goals and AI strategy. Pay attention to leadership's messaging and align your efforts with how AI tools are being positioned to support the company's objectives.
• Advocate for transparency and collaboration. If something isn't clear or feels off, speak up. An open dialogue with your manager can help ensure these tools benefit both you and the organization.

AI isn't here to replace you—it's here to help you thrive. With the right mindset and a little upskilling, you can turn it into your ultimate sidekick, simplifying tasks and freeing you to focus on what truly matters: creativity, big ideas, and making an impact.

Faisal Masud is the president of HP Digital Services, where he oversees the development of HP's Workforce Experience Platform (WXP), which uses AI to anticipate employees' IT needs and address them automatically. Before joining HP in 2023, Faisal was a former Amazon VP, Alphabet Wing COO, and Staples CTO.

Do you have a story to share about AI's impact on your job? Contact this editor, Jane Zhang, at [email protected].