Forecasts Show My Field Faces Near-Total Disruption; I’m Uncertain About My Path Forward in the Coming Years

Navigating the Future of eCommerce: Embracing Change in an AI-Driven Landscape

As the world of eCommerce continues to evolve at a breakneck pace, many professionals, myself included, are experiencing a profound sense of uncertainty regarding our future within the industry. At 30 years old, having been immersed in eCommerce since my teenage years, I find myself grappling with the implications of rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI).

Since starting my career in sales at the age of 14, I have steadily climbed the ranks within eCommerce agencies, ultimately becoming the Director of Partnerships in my current role. My experience spans a multitude of web development and design projects, as well as large-scale SEO and marketing campaigns, with budgets ranging from $20,000 to over $1 million. Throughout my career, I have led strategies in conversion rate optimization (CRO), user interface and experience (UI/UX) planning, and upselling techniques.

However, the recent surge of AI applications in our industry has taken me by surprise. A former agency I worked with previously had 25 copywriters dedicated to SEO efforts. Yet, upon catching up with a colleague still at that firm, I learned they have now reduced their team to just four writers—an astonishing change that highlights the efficiency AI has brought into the mix. The agency’s SEO department is not only outperforming previous revenue figures but doing so with significantly fewer human resources, relying on AI to generate content while senior writers handle oversight and compliance with copyright concerns.

In another instance, a different agency let go of its entire U.S. development team, opting for LATAM developers who now depend on tools like ChatGPT to facilitate communication through platforms like Jira and Slack. These shifts are indicative of a broader trend where AI is assuming functions that were once human-driven.

While I don’t believe the eCommerce sector is on the verge of collapse, the trajectory is certainly unsettling. AI is now capable of transforming Figma designs into functional websites and generating specific code for upselling features without the need for a developer. As I observe AI impacting traditional SEO practices and the way search engines operate, I can’t help but feel the landscape shifting beneath my feet.

With this onset of automation, I find myself at a crossroads. To adapt, I am currently pursuing my Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and contemplating a transition into a Head of Project Management or Senior PM role in a different industry altogether. The truth is, I am uncertain about where this journey