AI Isn’t Replacing My Work, It’s Reframing It
If you’ve been reading the headlines about artificial intelligence, you’ve probably seen predictions about all the jobs that are going to be at risk. Admin roles in particular often top these lists.
As someone who’s built a business offering admin, operational, and strategic support to clients in and around the world of higher education, I’ve naturally asked myself: is my business at risk?
The answer? Not in the way the headlines suggest. I’ve taken some time to reflect on where AI tools fit into my work, and where they don’t. Here’s what I’ve found.
AI Is Changing How We Work, Not Why We Work
There’s no denying that AI can now support some of the high-demand tasks that were once core to many admin roles. Tools like Microsoft Copilot or Otter.ai can draft meeting notes, summarise inboxes, and automate calendar bookings. For some businesses, that’s genuinely transformative.
But here’s the thing: my clients don’t come to me just because they need things done. They come to me because they need things understood, prioritised, coordinated and communicated, often across complex projects, multi-partner collaborations, and stakeholder-heavy environments. In this type of work, AI can be an assistant. But it isn’t a partner.
Why Human-Centred Work Still Matters
Much of the work I do is relational. That means it involves empathy, trust, judgement, and the ability to read between the lines, whether I’m managing a stakeholder group, steering a project through shifting priorities, or acting as a thinking partner to a solo consultant who wears all the hats.
These things don’t show up on a task list, and they can’t be fully automated. Because they’re not just about what gets done. They’re about how, why, and with whom.
Embracing AI Strategically
That said, I’m not ignoring AI. Quite the opposite. I’m using it to make my work smarter, faster and more focused without sacrificing the human layer that makes it effective. For example:
I use AI tools to summarise long documents or transcribe meetings quickly.
I can help my clients set up smart workflows that integrate human and AI inputs.
I’m staying informed so I can advise on where automation makes sense and where it doesn’t.
Think of it this way: AI is my trusty sidekick, but I’m still the main character. I’m not competing with AI. I’m collaborating with it - and helping my clients do the same. Yes, the nature of admin and operational support is evolving. But the need for a trusted, strategic, human-centred partnership isn’t going anywhere.
Helping My Clients Be AI-Aware, Too
Many of my clients, especially consultants, ex-academics, and small education-focused teams, are just starting to think about how AI might fit into their own workflows.
If that’s you, and you’re wondering how to dip a toe in without drowning in tools or compromising on quality, I can help. Whether it’s integrating automation into your systems, managing AI-supported projects, or simply sounding out where it makes sense to use tech (and where it doesn’t), you don’t have to figure it out alone.
If you’re looking for support that understands both the people side and the tech side of how your business runs, get in touch. I’d love to work with you.