By Vicky Sidler | Published 16 October 2025 at 12:00 GMT+2

Anthropic says half of entry-level white collar jobs could disappear within five years. Fiverr’s CEO thinks his own job is on the chopping block. Even the Pope is worried.

If it feels like the AI elite are preparing for a future where humans are optional, that’s because they are. Their stated goal is to build AGI—artificial general intelligence—that can outperform us at most economically valuable work.

But here’s the catch: the more companies try to replace humans entirely, the more obvious it becomes that AI isn’t quite the upgrade they hoped for.

TL;DR:

• AGI hype is outpacing real-world performance

• Replacing humans often causes more problems than it solves

• AI works best when it supports people, not replaces them

• Owning your tools and message is still your edge

👉 Need help getting your message right? Download the 5-Minute Marketing Fix

Table of Contents:

The AI Takeover Pitch (And Where It Fails):

In theory, AGI would let companies cut costs and scale faster by swapping people for bots. No sick days. No salary negotiations. No burnout.

In practice? It's more like hiring a highly ambitious intern—one who occasionally shines, but just as often crashes during a meeting or invents information to fill the silence.

If you’ve used AI in your business, you’ve seen the pattern. It’s brilliant at speeding up drafts, sorting data, and organising content. But ask it to navigate nuance, handle client expectations, or adapt to messy human logic, and things unravel.

That’s why so many companies that rushed into “AI everything” are now quietly undoing it. Automation without judgment doesn’t just stall your progress—it can hurt your brand.

AI Tools Aren’t Replacements. They’re E-Bikes.

Saying AI can replace a strategist, marketer, or support team is like saying an e-bike can replace your car.

Yes, e-bikes are fantastic. They’re light, efficient, and great for quick trips. But would you haul a month's worth of groceries, transport your team, or travel to a client meeting 40km away on one? Probably not.

AI is the same. It helps you move faster when the road is clear. But it’s not built for every terrain.

And unlike most employees, it costs more than you expect. Pro tiers, usage-based pricing, and frequent outages are now part of the deal. So if you’re using it to replace people, ask yourself—were those roles truly redundant, or are you hoping a tool trained on Reddit can suddenly run your business?

The Real Risk—Centralisation, Not Automation:

The deeper problem isn’t whether AI can take over tasks—it’s who owns the models doing the work.

As a recent Time article points out, AGI could shift economic power away from people entirely. If governments and corporations can run at full throttle without workers, they stop needing to invest in citizens. That’s what they call The Intelligence Curse.

It’s not far-fetched. When the tools become centralised, the users become disposable.

As a small business, your best move is to stay on the side of AI that empowers—not replaces—you.

What Small Businesses Should Actually Do:

1. Use AI as leverage, not labour. Let it speed you up, not swap you out.

2. Control your tools. Avoid becoming dependent on platforms that can raise prices, throttle usage, or vanish overnight.

3. Protect your voice. AI writes fast. But only you know your tone, values, and what your customers really care about.

4. Invest in clarity. Clear messaging backed by human judgment will always beat faster output with fuzzy logic.

Don’t Build a Business That’s Easy to Replace:

If your entire business can be automated, it probably wasn’t that strong to begin with. Your edge is your judgment, your values, and your relationships.

That’s why I built the 5-Minute Marketing Fix. It helps small business owners write one clear message that works across every channel—even if your tools are doing half the heavy lifting.

👉 Download it free here

AGI might be racing ahead. But that doesn’t mean you should be racing to get out of the picture. Keep the tools. Keep the power. Keep the message human.

Related Articles:

1. AI Replacing Humans Backfires—What CEOs Miss

If this article covered the theory, this one shows what happens in practice. From retail to fintech, companies who replaced staff with bots are now quietly walking it back.

2. AI Marketing Trust Gap Widens as Consumers Push Back

Even if AI helps you market faster, that doesn’t mean customers trust it. This article shows how to stay personal when your tools are anything but.

3. It’s Not Just You—AI Does Kinda Suck

Thought it was just your AI tools underperforming? It’s not just you. This piece breaks down why generative AI is struggling to deliver real results for small business.

4. AI Actually Sucks At Your Job—Just Ask LinkedIn

LinkedIn tried to automate thought leadership. Turns out, no one wants advice written by a bot. Here's what to do if you still want AI to help without hurting your credibility.

5. AI Tools Aren’t Replacing Designers—Here’s Why Not

AI was supposed to make designers obsolete. It didn’t. Learn why creative roles still need human brains and how to use AI without losing originality.

FAQs on AGI, AI Tools, and Job Replacement

1. What is AGI, and how is it different from regular AI?

AGI stands for Artificial General Intelligence. Unlike today’s AI tools that do specific tasks like writing or coding, AGI is designed to outperform humans at most types of work. It’s more like a digital employee than a digital assistant.

2. Is it true that AI could replace half of all white collar jobs?

That’s the claim from some AI leaders, including Anthropic’s CEO. But the more important question is whether those jobs should be replaced—or whether businesses will get better results using AI to support people instead of replacing them.

3. Why does replacing humans with AI often backfire?

Because humans bring judgment, adaptability, and context. AI is fast and consistent, but it struggles with nuance, edge cases, and real-time decision-making—especially in small businesses where personal service matters.

4. How can small businesses use AI effectively without losing their edge?

Use AI to speed up repetitive tasks, not replace people. Automate admin, not relationships. And make sure your messaging still sounds like you—not a robot trying to write a sales email.

5. What is “The Intelligence Curse”?

It’s the idea that if governments or corporations no longer need people to generate value, they stop investing in them. Think of it as economic power getting concentrated into fewer hands, while regular people get pushed to the margins.

6. Should I be worried about big AI companies owning all the tools?

Yes—if you don’t have a plan. When tools are centralised, access and pricing can change overnight. That’s why it’s smart to use tools that give you control over your data, outputs, and processes.

7. Can AI really help my business if I’m not tech-savvy?

Absolutely. Many of the best tools today are designed for non-technical users. Start small—use AI to clean up your writing, summarise meeting notes, or draft emails. The goal isn’t to master the tech. It’s to use it to save time and stay clear.

8. What’s the first step if I want to use AI without losing trust or control?

Start with your message. A clear message helps AI support your brand rather than dilute it. That’s what the5-Minute Marketing Fix is for—so your marketing stays consistent, even when your tools get smarter.