Hello there,

AI is evolving at lightning speed, and it's coming for more and more of our daily tasks. As a knowledge worker, adapting isn't optional. The real question is: how will you stay ahead?

The AI Shift Is On

AI won't replace everyone overnight. But make no mistake, your role could be next. It’s happening step by step. That’s why taking action today is so important.

Here are 5 smart ways to future-proof your career:

1. Lead with Purpose

Work feels different when you’re connected to the mission. When your goals align with your company’s, you become indispensable. Ask yourself:

  • How do I connect with our mission on a daily basis?

  • Can I name a decision I made that clearly supported our strategic goals?

2. Obsess Over Your “Customers”

In this context, “customer” means anyone you serve—end users, managers, teammates, stakeholders, even the public. Reflect on:

  • Who are my key customers?

  • How do I regularly collect their feedback?

  • What did I actually change last quarter based on that feedback?

3. Understand the Business

Want to lead AI initiatives? Start by understanding how the business truly works. Learn the formal systems and the backchannels. That’s how you create AI solutions that stick.

  • Which area do I find most challenging (budgeting, marketing, HR)?

  • What have I done to build that skill?

4. Stay Positive, Especially When It’s Tough

AI implementation comes with friction. Setbacks are part of the process. What sets you apart is resilience and optimism. Consider:

  • How do I reframe a challenge so it fuels me instead of frustrating me?

  • What do I do to keep my team’s energy up when pressure hits?

5. Build a Personal Brand That Speaks for You

In the AI age, visibility matters. Make sure people know what you’re great at and see you getting even better. Ask yourself:

  • What three words do I want people to associate with me and my work?

  • What am I creating (content, talks, side projects) that supports that message?

Stay curious. Stay active. That’s how you’ll thrive in the age of AI, not by reacting, but by leading.

Stay curious. Stay proactive. And you’ll thrive in the AI era.

Cheers,
– Derwish Rosalia
Certified Accountant & AI Expert
15+ Years in Big 4, Corporate, and Government Roles

From executives to educators: here’s how leaders are using AI to drive impact and stay ahead.

AI News Spotlight

  1. LinkedIn’s COO Leans on AI for Mission and Efficiency
    LinkedIn COO Dan Shapero uses AI to stay aligned with company goals and save time, from summarizing missed meetings with Microsoft Teams’ Copilot to researching key topics via ChatGPT Business Insider.

  2. Zendesk CTO: AI Evolves, Doesn’t Replace, Customer Service
    At Zendesk Relate 2025, EMEA CTO Matthias Goehler stressed that AI adds a “new layer” to customer support, automating 80% of interactions and freeing agents for higher‑level tasks TechRadar. He highlighted that keeping customers—whether end users or internal stakeholders—front and center ensures AI drives better service, not just efficiency.

  3. University of Melbourne Courses Bridge AI Ethics and Business Basics
    New professional development programs embed AI ethics alongside core business skills like inclusive leadership and DEI governance The Guardian. These courses help you grasp both technical and informal processes, essential for anyone aiming to lead AI projects and understand how organizations truly function .

  4. Nonprofit Leaders: AI Skills as Layoff Insurance
    A recent survey found 31% of nonprofit managers believe AI expertise shields employees from job cuts NAPCO Media LLC. Investing in AI fluency, through courses or self‑study—can be your best defense, turning potential disruption into a chance to stay relevant and even advance your career.

  5. WordPress.com’s Free AI Site Builder Boosts Personal Branding
    WordPress.com rolled out an AI‑powered website builder that creates full sites via a chat interface—perfect for showcasing your brand, portfolio, or side projects with minimal effort TechCrunch. In an era where standing out matters more than ever, tools like this make personal branding accessible to everyone.

Ready to take action? Use these smart prompts to turn insight into impact—fast.

Quick Start ChatGPT Prompts

Use these to sharpen your skills:

  1. “Help me craft a personal mission that aligns with my company’s goals.”

  2. “Evaluate three decisions I made and rate how they match our strategy.”

  3. “Suggest methods to collect and act on feedback from colleagues and stakeholders.”

  4. “Analyze last quarter’s feedback and give three concrete improvements.”

  5. “Explain [budgeting/marketing/HR] basics and build me a learning plan.”

  6. “Outline a strategy to grow my formal and informal network for AI projects.”

  7. “Coach me on mental habits to stay positive when AI projects stall.”

  8. “Create three actions to boost team morale during high-pressure phases.”

  9. “Identify three brand words for me and two actions per word to strengthen them.”

  10. “Design a sixmonth roadmap to learn AI tools, with milestones and resources.”

Provide context about your company and role when using these prompts.