Managers threatened to replace data analysts with AI in heated team meeting — until an employee's simple question flipped the script

Data analysts were called in for a team meeting with the management. At first, they didn't suspect anything unusual; later, they were shocked when management justified that Artificial Intelligence (AI) could replace them in their jobs. The management said they wanted to motivate the team to work harder, but it was, in fact, a subtle and clear threat that they could lose their jobs at any time. However, one team member (u/phenols_reshoot5s), who had been a silent spectator throughout, stood up to ask a single question that changed the course of the entire discussion. The employee posted the incident on Reddit on January 19.

They ran live demos to show that AI could easily accomplish core tasks for data analysts. Basically, the management wanted to establish that they were "obsolete" and no longer required. "The goal, according to them, was to 'encourage us to innovate' and 'light a fire under us.' But it was very clearly a threat, not inspiration," the person explained. Once they were done explaining, they asked if anyone had questions, and this was the moment that changed everything. The person couldn't stay silent; they stood up and asked the question everyone probably had on their mind: "So when AI takes over all of our technical tasks, what exactly will the management layer be doing?" The room went silent; nobody knew how to react, and that meeting changed everyone's perspective about AI. They weren't scared of it; in fact, they started using it to their advantage. "...many of us were suddenly very motivated to learn more about AI and polish our resumes. Honestly, it was the biggest favor they could have done for us," the person wrote.

Moreover, the employee explained how AI tools lack the efficiency to do what they are supposed to do. "And since they are replacing us with AI, I will use InterviewMan to replace them in tomorrow's interview, secure another job offer, and leave this mess," the person said. People are genuinely worried about being replaced by AI at their jobs, and employers have been taking advantage of it, unaware that they themselves are replaceable, too. A survey by Workplace Intelligence and edX across top leaders of multiple organizations found that nearly half (49%) of CEOs believe that most or all of their jobs can be automated or replaced by AI. Similarly, Beautiful.ai surveyed 3,000 managers and found that 64% of them say AI's output and productivity is equivalent to that of experienced managers or, at times, better. 45% of managers surveyed also said AI allows them to lower employees' salaries because less human-powered work is needed. This means AI could potentially replace both lower and higher-level roles.

Meanwhile, reacting to the Reddit post, u/cautious_score_3555 commented, "As an individual contributor, I think AI might do a good job of motivating me, giving me positive feedback, assessing me against goals, and helping me with career development. You know, the things a manager is supposed to do." u/jerseydonut wrote, "Management will be asked to manage a combination of AI tools, overseas specialists, and a skeleton crew of stateside subject matter experts. Also, there will be fewer managers needed. The management roles that stay will essentially become half quality assurance and half begging your handful of subject matter experts not to leave because they are the only ones who know how to do anything meaningful. Also, absolutely no pay raises or promotions will be allowed. You will be expected to be thankful you even have a job."

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