Forecasting the Future: How My Industry Will Transform and Leave Me Uncertain About My Path in Five Years

Navigating Change: The Impact of AI on the eCommerce Industry

As I reflect on my career in the eCommerce sector, I find myself facing an unprecedented dilemma: for the first time, I genuinely cannot predict what my professional landscape will look like in five years. At 30, I have spent the majority of my life immersed in this industry, starting my journey at just 14 years old. Since then, I have climbed the ranks, starting in sales and eventually serving as the Director of Partnerships at my current agency.

My background is rich with experience in web development, design projects, and large-scale SEO marketing campaigns, often with budgets ranging from $20,000 to over $1 million. I have spearheaded various initiatives, including conversion rate optimization (CRO), user interface and user experience (UI/UX) design, and upselling strategies. Each project has been highly strategic, yet the environment around us is shifting rapidly.

The swift encroachment of artificial intelligence into our industry is transforming the way we operate at a pace that I hadn’t imagined. A striking example is a former agency where I worked that once boasted a robust team of 25 copywriters. During a recent conversation with a former colleague, I learned that they now have only four writers. Remarkably, their SEO department is generating even more revenue—$20,000 higher per month—compared to when I left. The rise of AI has enabled them to automate many writing tasks, allowing lead writers to focus on refining AI-generated content to ensure it meets legal standards for copyright.

Additionally, I learned about another agency that made a bold move by laying off its entire US development team. They transitioned to hiring developers from Latin America, who increasingly rely on ChatGPT for communication through platforms like Jira and Slack.

This trend raises critical questions about the future of our industry. While I don’t foresee an imminent collapse, it’s evident that AI tools are streamlining processes, such as generating websites from Figma designs or even sketches. I have seen AI produce precise code for implementing upsells without any need for traditional development work. Furthermore, Google’s AI advancements and prompt-based search are increasingly usurping roles previously held by SEO experts.

As I grapple with the implications of these changes, I’m navigating a personal crossroads. I am in the process of obtaining my Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and considering a transition back into a Head of Project Management or Senior PM role in a completely different sector