As per a Enterprise Insider article, Chen misplaced her position at Meta in Might after months of uncertainty round attainable job cuts. Whereas the layoff got here as a shock, she stated the ready interval earlier than the choice was introduced was much more tough. Wanting again on the expertise, Chen stated she believes AI performed a task in altering the way forward for her job. “I really feel like, finally, I misplaced my job to AI.”
Weeks of uncertainty earlier than the Meta layoff
Chen stated rumours about layoffs at Meta started circulating in March, however staff didn’t know when the cuts would occur. The uncertainty created nervousness amongst staff, particularly as a result of the corporate had beforehand introduced layoffs on sure days.
“A few of my colleagues and I have been fearing Wednesdays as a result of Meta has generally laid off individuals on these days. So, each Tuesday night time, once I left work, I puzzled if I might be coming again.”
She stated she began checking her e mail early each Wednesday morning, ready for any replace about her job standing. That continued for weeks till staff have been knowledgeable that layoffs would happen on Might 20.
When the day lastly arrived, Chen stated the sensation was totally different from what she anticipated.
“When the day lastly got here, and I bought laid off, I used to be like, “That is it.” It was extra like reduction than ache.”
Large tech jobs not really feel safe
Chen stated the layoff made her query the concept that working at a significant know-how firm ensures long-term stability. She stated lots of her former colleagues at the moment are trying to find new roles, sharing updates on-line and in search of alternatives.
“A number of my coworkers have been additionally impacted, and so they’re looking for jobs. They’re making posts on LinkedIn and asking for brand spanking new alternatives.”
She in contrast the scenario to staff being on a big ship whereas the know-how trade faces a significant shift due to AI.
“It appears like we’re all crusing on the ocean, and Meta is a large ship that is shifting very quick. When the AI storm comes, is your subsequent transfer to leap to a smaller, slower ship?”
Chen stated some professionals consider shifting to industries equivalent to finance may present extra safety as a result of they might undertake AI at a slower tempo. Nonetheless, she questioned whether or not any subject would stay untouched by automation.
Layoff pushed her to rethink profession plans
Chen stated she was not extraordinarily nervous after shedding her job as a result of she is single and doesn’t have a household within the US. She stated returning to China is an possibility, though she enjoys residing in New York Metropolis.
The expertise additionally modified her view of company careers. After working at and interning with giant corporations, Chen stated she not feels targeted on following a standard company path.
She beforehand stayed in her job as a result of she nervous about monetary safety exterior a giant firm.
“How am I going to feed myself if I do not work for a giant firm?”
However after the layoff, her considering modified.
“Now I really feel prefer it’s not protected anymore, like I can get laid off at any time.”
Chen stated Meta’s severance package deal has given her time to determine her subsequent transfer.
AI is altering the position of knowledge scientists
Chen labored as an information scientist on Instagram at Meta. She stated many routine components of the job are already being affected by AI instruments. Duties equivalent to writing queries, creating visualisations and analysing fundamental information have gotten much less worthwhile abilities on their very own, she stated.
“If you happen to solely know how you can code, that is not sufficient. If you happen to’re simply writing SQL queries, utilizing Python, or monitoring and analyzing metrics, it isn’t a really promising profession anymore.”
In keeping with Chen, future information scientists will want broader information and the power to work throughout totally different areas as an alternative of focusing solely on technical abilities.
She stated AI is creating demand for professionals who perceive enterprise issues, merchandise and technique together with know-how.
AI instruments turning into a part of on a regular basis work
Chen stated AI has change into extremely correct for a lot of particular duties. She defined that there have been conditions the place AI-generated work was dependable sufficient that she didn’t all the time must manually test each output.
“It bought to the purpose the place I would not test AI-generated queries as a result of they’ve gotten so correct.” Nonetheless, she stated AI nonetheless struggles with advanced initiatives that require human judgment and decision-making.
Chen stated she is much less focused on AI as solely a know-how and extra focused on the way it modifications the best way individuals work.
Exploring a special future after Meta
After the layoff, Chen began sharing her profession journey on-line and documenting what she is studying about AI. She can be exploring profession teaching to assist individuals coping with modifications introduced by new know-how.
“I am nonetheless in a transition interval and do not have all of the solutions. Seeing how AI is altering issues, it makes me rethink the kind of job I would need.”
She stated she would contemplate becoming a member of an AI startup if she finds an organization that matches her pursuits and values.
Chen acknowledged that startups carry dangers, however she believes staying in conventional roles targeted solely on information analytics and reporting may very well be a much bigger threat in the long run.
“These corporations might be dangerous, however staying at a giant firm doing conventional information analytics and reporting jobs simply appears like I can be left behind. That is riskier in the long run.”