Navigating Uncertainty: The Impact of AI on the eCommerce Industry
As a seasoned professional in the eCommerce sector, I find myself standing at a crossroads filled with uncertainty. At 30 years old, I’ve dedicated 16 years of my life to this industry, progressing through various roles and ultimately serving as the Director of Partnerships at my current agency. However, the landscape I once knew is rapidly evolving, and it leaves me questioning what the future holds for my career.
Since delving into eCommerce at just 14, I have accumulated a wealth of experience, from sales to operations management and strategic project oversight. My journey has led me to be involved in projects with budgets ranging from $20,000 to over $1 million—navigating complex scopes in web development, design, conversion rate optimization, and user experience planning.
Yet, the swift and relentless advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is creating a paradigm shift that I never anticipated. Reflecting on my past experiences with various agencies, I’ve seen firsthand the impact. For instance, at one agency where I previously worked, the SEO department housed around 25 copywriters just a couple of years ago. In a recent conversation with a friend still on the team, I learned that the workforce has dwindled to just four writers, all while billing has increased significantly. AI has effectively replaced many junior roles, allowing the remaining writers to focus on refining prompts to ensure they meet copyright requirements.
This trend isn’t isolated. Another agency I observed has transitioned entirely from a US-based development team to a LATAM counterpart, utilizing AI tools such as ChatGPT for streamlined communication across platforms like Jira and Slack.
It’s important to clarify that I don’t foresee an apocalypse for my industry, but the trajectory is clear—automation powered by AI is on the rise. We are witnessing AI capabilities that allow for website construction from design files and even automated generation of coding needed to facilitate upsell features, diminishing the need for human developers. Google’s AI and prompt-based search functionalities are transforming the very fabric of traditional SEO as we know it.
As I introduce myself to this new reality, I find myself at a crucial juncture. I’m in the process of obtaining my Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, contemplating a shift back into a Head of PM or Senior PM role—perhaps even in a completely different field. The future is uncertain, yet it is ripe with possibility, albeit with a heavy dose of unpredictability.
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