As we reported already, AI is transforming the job market fast. We also emphasized in earlier articles that understanding how to use AI will give you a clear edge over peers who haven’t caught up (yet). After all, AI could – and probably will – wipe out up to 50% of entry-level office jobs in just five years from now. The so-called job war especially puts students who lack AI skills at risk.

In a recent YouTube post directed at students, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman shares this point of view. But Hoffman also says that despite the ‘danger’, Gen Z still has a secret weapon: they’re the first true AI natives: “You are generation AI. You are AI native. So bringing the fact that you have AI in your tool set is one of the things that makes you enormously attractive.”

That innate comfort with tech means they can integrate AI into their work far more naturally than older generations. That’s a competitive advantage no résumé bullet point can match.

But there is more to just being an AI native to survive the storm. Let’s see what Hoffman said in the video, and what it really means if you dig further.

Does AI Make Your Degree Worthless? Possible

In the Q&A session with students Reid Hoffman states that Gen Z is not just witnessing the AI revolution – they are the revolution.

“You are generation AI. You are AI native. So bringing the fact that you have AI in your tool set is one of the things that makes you enormously attractive,” Hoffman told a concerned student from India. His answer seems not just motivational, but tactical. You don’t need to outrun AI. You need to use it to outrun everyone else.

Hoffman laid out a series of clear, layered recommendations:

1. Don’t romanticize passion – strategize it.

To a student from Oxford debating whether to take a job they’re not passionate about, Hoffman responded: “Sometimes [the answer] is to take that job that you’re kind of mediocre on, because you have a plan for how you’re evolving.” He urged students to look five to ten years ahead. Use your first job as a stepping stone, not a soulmate. Even a “meh” job is better than none – if it fits into a bigger strategy.

2. Prompting isn’t optional – it’s foundational.

To another student asking how to get ahead with AI, Hoffman warned: “No one is prompting in particularly good ways. We’re all like 5% users.”

He compares our current prompting skills to the myth of using only 5% of our brains. AI fluency, in his view, will be the career advantage. And the bar is low right now – those who level up quickly will pull ahead fast.

“What have you thought about in terms of how to prompt these things in better ways?” he asks constantly in his own circles. If you’re not already experimenting daily with ChatGPT, Claude, or Pi, you’re falling behind.

3. Degrees are temporary. Learning is permanent.

When a student from expressed anxiety about their major becoming obsolete, Hoffman responded: “It’s not specific degrees, specific courses, even necessarily specific skills… It’s your capacity to learn.”

This aligns with a growing trend across hiring: companies are hiring for agility, not academic pedigree. It’s not what you studied. It’s how fast you can adapt when what you studied stops being relevant.

4. What You Bring Is Creativity. Not Syntax.

In a particularly sharp moment, Hoffman redefined what careers like web design will look like in the age of AI: “The fact that you know all the tags… that you could produce the ‘website coding for dummies’ book – no longer matters as much.”

Instead, what matters is the human insight – the creative, strategic layer that AI can’t replicate. Your eye for design. Your understanding of a brand’s identity. Your ability to see opportunities others overlook. “This is something you could try that’s different, that other people using AI tools might not think the same way you do.”

In short, the only thing AI can’t beat is your originality – if you know how to channel it through the tools.

5. Job Scarcity Is Real. So Is Your Advantage.

When asked if AI would make jobs harder to get, Hoffman didn’t deny the risk: “AI is changing the landscape. It may make entry-level jobs harder to get to… may make employers uncertain.” All the more reason to dive into it, because the job market will favor those who use AI well. Especially when others don’t. “You might be able to help [older colleagues] out. And that, of course, is part of the magic.”

Gen Z isn’t just employable – they’re train-the-trainers. If you can bridge the gap between legacy workflows and AI tools, you become indispensable. But those without AI skills will fall behind. Fast.

But There is More Gen Z Can Do to Win the Job War in the Age of AI

Besides the 5 topics handled by Hoffman in his video, there are a few more elements at play that will define if you will be in or out of the AI transformation loop.

These factors, drawn from broader trends in AI adoption, workforce dynamics, and societal shifts, complement Hoffman’s advice. Below, I outlined these additional elements, their significance, and how they influence inclusion in the AI transformation.

Additional elements defining inclusion in the AI transformation loop are the following:

1. Adaptability to Rapid Technological Change

The pace of AI advancement is accelerating, with models like those from OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI evolving rapidly. Staying “in the loop” requires a willingness to continuously upskill and adapt to new tools, workflows, and job roles that emerge.

Individuals who resist learning new AI tools or cling to outdated skills risk obsolescence. For example, a 2025 McKinsey report estimates that 30% of current jobs could be automated by 2030, but new roles in AI development, ethics, and oversight will emerge. Adaptability ensures relevance in dynamic fields like data science, AI ethics, or human-AI collaboration.

TIP: For this, you need to regularly experiment with AI platforms (e.g., Grok, ChatGPT, or Claude), take online courses, and stay informed about AI trends through sources like X posts or tech newsletters.

2. Access to AI Tools and Infrastructure

The effective use of AI requires access to technology, including high-speed internet, modern devices, and AI platforms. Socioeconomic disparities can limit access, creating a digital divide.

Without access, individuals cannot develop AI literacy or leverage tools for job hunting, productivity, or skill-building. A 2025 Pew Research study highlights that 20% of U.S. adults in low-income households lack reliable internet, disproportionately affecting marginalized groups.

TIP: Seek free or low-cost AI tools, use public resources like libraries, or advocate for workplace-provided AI training. Community initiatives and government programs for digital inclusion can also bridge the gap.

3. Ethical and Responsible AI Use

Understanding AI’s ethical implications – such as bias in algorithms, privacy concerns, or misinformation risks – is critical. Hoffman, as a member of the AI Ethics Council, emphasizes responsible AI development, and job seekers must align with these principles.

Employers increasingly value candidates who can navigate AI’s ethical challenges, especially in regulated industries like healthcare or finance. Misusing AI (e.g., over-relying on it for decision-making) can lead to errors or reputational damage, sidelining professionals.

TIP: Learn about AI ethics through resources. Practice transparency when using AI-generated content and advocate for fair AI practices in workplaces.

4. Interdisciplinary Skill Sets

AI is transforming jobs in such way that they require hybrid skills. Hybrid as in combining technical proficiency (e.g., coding, data analysis) with soft skills (e.g., creativity, emotional intelligence). In short , there is the need for interdisciplinary expertise.

AI excels at routine tasks but struggles with nuanced human skills. Professionals who blend AI proficiency with domain expertise (e.g., marketing, healthcare) will stand out.

TIP: Pursue cross-disciplinary training, such as combining coding (Python, R) with industry-specific knowledge. Engage in projects that integrate AI with human-centric skills, like using AI to analyze customer feedback while applying empathy to interpret results.

5. Proactive Personal Branding in an AI-Driven Market

AI tools can optimize job applications, but standing out requires a strong personal brand that showcases AI fluency and unique value. This includes a polished online presence and demonstrating AI-enhanced work.

Recruiters increasingly use AI to screen candidates, scanning profiles for keywords and skills. Hiring managers now prioritize candidates with AI-related skills or portfolios. Without a visible online presence, candidates may be overlooked.

6. Collaboration with AI Systems

Success in the AI era involves treating AI as a collaborative partner, not just a tool. This means mastering human-AI workflows, such as iterating with AI to refine outputs or integrating AI insights into team projects.

Companies are adopting AI to enhance productivity, and employees who can seamlessly integrate AI into collaborative processes will be in demand.

TIP: Practice using AI in team settings, such as co-creating presentations with AI or using tools to brainstorm ideas. Demonstrate this skill in job interviews by sharing examples of successful AI collaboration.

7. Cultural and Industry Awareness of AI Trends

Different industries adopt AI at varying paces, and cultural attitudes toward AI (e.g., acceptance vs. skepticism) influence its integration. Staying in the loop requires understanding how AI impacts specific sectors and regions.

For example, tech and finance embrace AI rapidly, while education and public sectors lag.

TIP: Research industry-specific AI applications (e.g., AI in healthcare diagnostics). Tailor job applications to highlight relevant AI skills for your target sector, and stay aware of regional AI policies that affect job markets.

Why Being ‘Out of the AI Loop’ Is a Career Killer

AI isn’t coming is already here, embedded in hiring systems, productivity tools, and entire industries. If you’re not actively learning how to use it, you’re not standing still, you’re sliding backwards.

Reid Hoffman calls Gen Z the “AI native” generation. But native or not, you either speak the language of AI or risk being excluded from the conversation entirely. The professional world is splitting into two groups: those who adapt, and those who disappear from relevance.

Below are the real-world consequences of staying on the sidelines.

1. Career Obsolescence

Without AI skills, you’re competing against candidates who can do the same work faster, cheaper, and with higher output. You’ll be filtered out before the interview.

2. Missed Opportunities

New AI-driven roles – like automation strategist, AI workflow designer, and prompt engineer – are being filled now. If you’re not fluent in AI tools, those doors stay shut.

3. Professional Isolation

Colleagues will expect you to keep up. If you’re not conversant in how AI tools integrate into workflows, you’ll be sidelined in key projects – or replaced.

4. Network Decay

Those in the loop help each other: sharing tools, shortcuts, and job leads. If you can’t contribute, you’re left out of the conversation – and the opportunity stream.

5. Learning Curve Burnout

AI is evolving fast. The longer you wait, the steeper the climb. Early adopters are building momentum while latecomers scramble to catch up.

Use the Bots, or Get Replaced by Them

The message Hoffman brings is both blunt and accurate: being an ‘AI native’ isn’t enough if you don’t act like one. Gen Z will need to survive and thrive in a labor market that’s being rewritten by algorithms.

And yes, AI may eliminate up to half of all entry-level jobs. But it will also create entirely new arenas of work as we said before, reward those who can collaborate with AI systems, and elevate individuals who combine creative thinking with technical fluency. Gen Z holds the strongest position – but only if they use AI with intent, learn fast, and share what they know.

So:

  • Treat AI as your co-pilot, not your competition.
  • Turn prompting into a ‘superpower’.
  • Build a visible, AI-enhanced personal brand.
  • And don’t wait – early movers will dominate.

This is the job war. Not everyone will make it – but those who master AI early, will lead the next economy.


I specialize in sustainability education, curriculum co-creation, and early-stage project strategy. At WINSS, I craft articles on sustainability, transformative AI, and related topics. When I'm not writing, you'll find me chasing the perfect sushi roll, exploring cities around the globe, or unwinding with my dog Puffy — the world’s most loyal sidekick.