Forecasting Industry Disruption: Facing Uncertainty About My Career Future in the Next Five Years

Navigating the Future: The Impact of AI on E-Commerce Careers

As we venture deeper into the age of artificial intelligence, many professionals in the e-commerce sector, like myself, are grappling with uncertainty about the future. At 30 years old and having spent nearly half my life in the e-commerce industry, I find myself in uncharted waters. I began my journey in e-commerce at just 14, progressing through various roles since 2015, from sales to becoming the Director of Partnerships at my current agency.

My experience has largely revolved around web development, design projects, and significant SEO and e-commerce marketing initiatives. I have contributed to projects with a broad financial range; some have been strategically planned undertakings costing anywhere from $20,000 to over $1 million. Throughout these endeavors, I’ve driven conversion rate optimization (CRO) strategies, user interface/user experience (UI/UX) planning, and upselling tactics.

However, the rapid advancements in AI technology have started to reshape the landscape of our industry more swiftly than I could have anticipated. A notable example can be seen in a former agency where I worked, which once employed 25 copywriters to manage SEO content. A recent discussion with an acquaintance still at the agency revealed a sharp decline to just 4 writers. Remarkably, their SEO department’s billable amount has increased by $20,000 per month. The introduction of AI has allowed them to replace numerous junior positions, utilizing advanced tools to create or refine content that meets copyright standards.

In another instance, another agency I’m aware of decided to entirely replace its US development team with talent from Latin America. This team now primarily communicates using AI tools, such as ChatGPT, to manage projects through platforms like Jira and Slack.

While I don’t foresee an outright collapse of our industry, the transformations are undeniable. AI is capable of constructing websites from Figma designs or even rough sketches. I’ve witnessed AI generate precise code for implementing upsells without the need for developers. Additionally, Google’s AI and prompt-based search functionalities are starting to eclipse traditional SEO practices right before our eyes.

As I observe this swift automation within my field, I find myself reflecting on my career path. I am currently pursuing my Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and contemplating a transition to a Head of Project Management or a Senior PM role in a different sector. The reality is, while the landscape is evolving, the questions about where I will ultimately land remain. One