Facing Unprecedented Change: The Industry I Know Is Changing Forever, and I’m Unsure of My Future Five Years Out

The Future of eCommerce: Navigating Change in a Rapidly Evolving Landscape

As someone who has spent over a decade immersed in the eCommerce industry, I find myself at a pivotal crossroads. At 30 years old, I’ve navigated various roles — from sales to Director of Partnerships — primarily focused on web development, SEO, and sophisticated marketing projects. My journey has led me to oversee initiatives with budgets ranging from $20,000 to over a million dollars, managing everything from conversion rate optimization (CRO) to user experience (UI/UX) design.

However, the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the very fabric of my industry at an unprecedented pace. The transformation was starkly illustrated during a recent conversation with a former colleague at an agency where I once worked. This agency, once staffed with 25 skilled copywriters, has now seen its team dwindle to just four. The remaining writers focus primarily on refining AI-generated content to meet copyright standards, which has resulted in an increase in their SEO revenue — a clear indication that AI is not just an aid but a formidable player in content generation.

Moreover, I’ve observed similar trends across other agencies. For instance, one firm replaced its entire U.S.-based development team with resources from Latin America, leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT for communication via platforms like Jira and Slack. This cut in personnel underscores a shift where AI is not just a supplementary tool but is nearing the core of operational efficiency.

While I don’t believe my industry is on the brink of collapse, it’s clear that a seismic shift is on the horizon. AI technologies can now automatically create websites from designs or even from simple sketches. Additionally, I’ve witnessed AI generate complex code for various functionalities, including automated upselling, diminishing the need for traditional development roles. Google’s advancements in AI and prompt-based search continue to disrupt conventional SEO practices, indicating that change is not just coming — it’s already here.

Given these developments, I find myself contemplating my professional future. Currently, I am pursuing a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and considering a transition to a Head of Project Management or Senior Project Management role in a different sector entirely. The uncertainty of where I’ll ultimately land is both daunting and exciting, but one thing is clear: the landscape of eCommerce is changing, and I must adapt to remain relevant in this evolving environment.

As we navigate this strange new world, I encourage fellow professionals to embrace lifelong learning and