Don't panic, but act fast: Perplexity CEO on skills needed not just to survive AI job crisis but also thrive in career

As artificial intelligence continues to advance at an accelerated pace, it is reshaping the global workforce and sparking concerns about widespread job displacement. Industry leaders have weighed in on how AI could eliminate traditional roles, especially in white-collar sectors. Among them, Perplexity AI CEO Aravind Srinivas is urging individuals—particularly young professionals—to move beyond panic and instead focus on adapting swiftly. In a recent conversation with Matthew Berman, he shared insights on the kind of skills and mindset needed not just to survive this transition, but to build a successful career in an AI-driven future.

Shift Focus from Scrolling to Skill-Building

Srinivas offered a blunt recommendation to the younger generation: spend less time mindlessly scrolling through social media and more time learning how to use AI tools. He emphasized that those who become proficient with these technologies will gain a strong advantage in the job market, as the gap between AI users and non-users widens.

He noted that individuals at the forefront of AI adoption will be significantly more employable than those who resist or delay learning. His message was clear—embracing AI is now critical for career resilience.

The Pace of Change Is Unforgiving

The Perplexity CEO also acknowledged the immense challenge posed by the speed at which AI is developing. With major advancements occurring every few months, he pointed out that this pace is testing human adaptability like never before.

He warned that those unable to keep up risk being pushed out of the workforce. This concern aligns with statements from other tech leaders such as Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, who predicted AI could eliminate half of entry-level white-collar jobs in the next five years. AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton has also cautioned that artificial intelligence may soon take over much of the routine intellectual labor currently done by humans.

Entrepreneurship as a Safety Net

While acknowledging the threat of job loss, Srinivas sees entrepreneurship as a viable path forward. He suggested that those affected by AI-driven changes could either start their own ventures using AI or join emerging companies that embrace these tools.

In his view, the traditional employment model may shrink, but opportunities will emerge for those who can use AI strategically. He believes the next wave of job creation will come not from large corporations, but from smaller, nimble ventures led by individuals who understand how to integrate AI into their work.

Srinivas’s outlook is shared in part by others in the tech world who believe that AI won’t just destroy jobs—it will redefine them. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has argued that AI will enhance human capabilities and allow people to focus on higher-value tasks.

Despite this optimistic take, Srinivas emphasized the urgency of the moment. He encouraged people to act quickly—not out of fear, but with a sense of responsibility for their own future. Mastering AI, he suggested, will soon be as fundamental as knowing how to use a computer.