How I Face the Uncertainty as My Industry Faces Near-Total Transformation in the Coming Years

Navigating Change in the E-Commerce Landscape: A Personal Reflection on the Rise of AI

The landscape of the e-commerce industry is evolving at an unprecedented rate, and I find myself reflecting on my career and future in light of these changes. At 30 years old, I’ve spent nearly half my life immersed in e-commerce, beginning this journey at the tender age of 14. Since 2015, my professional path has seen me working alongside esteemed e-commerce agencies, where I’ve progressed from a sales position to my current role as Director of Partnerships.

Throughout my career, I have engaged in diverse web development and design projects, overseeing extensive SEO initiatives and high-stakes e-commerce marketing campaigns. The scope of my work has ranged from modest projects to multi-million dollar endeavors. In these roles, I have spearheaded conversion rate optimization strategies, UI/UX planning, and upselling strategies, all aimed at delivering optimal results in an ever-competitive market.

Recently, however, I’ve become increasingly aware of the swift advancements in artificial intelligence that are poised to reshape our industry. For instance, one agency I was previously associated with employed a robust team of 25 copywriters prior to 2021, primarily focused on SEO content. After reconnecting with a former colleague, I learned that they have since reduced their team to just four writers, despite their SEO department generating $20,000 more in billable revenue monthly. The shift to AI has enabled them to replace many junior writing positions, allowing senior writers to refine prompts to ensure they comply with copyright standards.

In another organization, the entire US development team was disbanded, only to be succeeded by teams in LATAM, who now leverage AI tools like ChatGPT for communication tasks via platforms like Jira and Slack.

While I do not believe my industry is on the brink of collapse, the signs of transformation are undeniable. The capabilities of AI are advancing rapidly; tools now exist that automate website creation from Figma designs or sketches, and I’ve witnessed AI generating precise code for implementing upsells—eliminating the need for developers altogether. Moreover, innovations in AI and prompt-based search are gradually redefining the essence of traditional SEO strategies.

Given this accelerating shift towards automation, the future of my industry feels uncertain. As I pursue my Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, I am contemplating a transition back to a Head of Project Management or Senior Project Management role in a different sector. Though I am uncertain about what lies ahead,