Facing Devastating Industry Disruption: For the First Time in My Life, I Can’t Predict My Path in Five Years

Navigating the Future of eCommerce: Embracing Change Amidst AI Disruption

As a seasoned professional in the eCommerce sector, I find myself at an unprecedented crossroads. At just 30, with an extensive career that began at the age of 14, my trajectory in this dynamic industry has led me through various pivotal roles, from Sales to Director of Partnerships at my current agency. Yet, for the first time in my life, I face uncertainty about what the next five years hold.

I’ve had the privilege of working within eCommerce agencies since 2015, where my experience has primarily focused on web development, design collaboration, and comprehensive marketing strategies. The projects I’ve managed have varied significantly in scale, with budgets ranging from $20,000 to over $1 million. My responsibilities have included everything from Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) strategies to User Interface/User Experience (UI/UX) planning and upselling techniques.

Recent developments in artificial intelligence have taken the industry by storm, and the shift has been more rapid than I ever thought possible. For instance, a previous agency where I worked prided itself on its robust SEO team, once boasting 25 skilled copywriters prior to 2021. During a recent conversation with a friend still there, I learned that their team has dwindled to only four writers. Remarkably, their monthly billables for SEO have actually increased by $20,000 since my departure — primarily due to the integration of AI tools that can replace many entry-level roles. The lead writers are now focused on refining AI-generated content to address copyright issues.

Moreover, another agency I am familiar with has transitioned away from its entire U.S.-based development team in favor of developers from Latin America, who now utilize ChatGPT for most internal communications, handling tasks via platforms like Jira and Slack.

While I don’t believe my industry is on the brink of collapse, the changes are significant and hard to ignore. AI technologies are rapidly evolving to create websites from Figma designs and generate the exact code necessary for implementations, including upsells, without the need for a developer. Additionally, I’ve witnessed Google AI and prompt-driven search strategies encroaching upon traditional SEO tactics, reshaping how we approach digital marketing.

As I observe my field becoming increasingly automated, I find myself contemplating my next steps. I’m currently pursuing my Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and am considering a transition back into a Head of Project Management or Senior PM role, potentially in