Young professionals who treat artificial intelligence as either a fad or a shortcut are putting their careers at risk. That was the central message from AI and Data expert Kabirat Olajire during a Zoom webinar on Thursday.
Speaking on the topic, “AI and the Future of Work: What Every Young Professional Needs to Know,” Olajire warned that ignoring AI does not make it go away. But relying on it blindly creates a different problem.
“There are two common reactions today,” she said. “Some people are ignoring it completely. Others use AI for everything including writing emails, creating presentations, summarising documents, and sometimes, without understanding how the technology works, what its limitations are, or when it should not be trusted. Neither approach is safe.”
The workplace has already changed
Olajire said the biggest misunderstanding about AI is that it belongs to the future. She argued it is already here. Marketers are using it to analyse customer behaviour. Researchers use it to summarize information. Developers use it to write and review code. Customer service teams use AI assistants to respond faster.
She stressed that this does not mean every job will disappear. Instead, work will transform. Some tasks will be automated. Some roles will change. New roles will emerge.
“A financial analyst may spend less time preparing reports manually and more time interpreting insights,” she explained. “A journalist may spend less time searching through information and more time investigating and storytelling. AI changes what work looks like. It does not simply remove work.”
The challenge for entry-level professionals
Olajire spent time addressing young workers directly, noting that entry-level roles have traditionally been built on repetitive tasks such as cleaning spreadsheets, summarizing documents, processing information.
“AI can now perform some of those tasks quickly,” she said. “That creates a challenge. How do young professionals gain experience when some traditional learning tasks become automated?”
Her answer was not to compete with AI on speed. It was to build skills AI cannot replace: understanding problems, communicating clearly, making decisions, and applying context.
Three types of professionals are emerging
According to Olajire, the workplace is splitting into three groups.
First, those who ignore AI. Second, those who depend on AI without judgment. Third, those who direct AI by their understanding of what a tool can do, what it cannot do, and when human judgment matters more.
“The question is: Which one are you becoming?” she asked participants.
She listed judgment, trust, relationships, creativity from lived experience, and ethical decision-making as areas where humans still lead. “AI can provide information. Humans remain responsible for choices,” she said.
A call for African voices in AI
Olajire, who has studied and worked on AI solutions in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom, said Africa has a particular opportunity. The continent needs more people building solutions for local problems, not just consuming tools built elsewhere.
She shared that she is currently building a Personal AI Assistant designed for Nigerian users, with support for mixed language input including Yoruba. She is also developing a Civic Case Management system for UK local government.
“Technology is most valuable when it serves real people,” she said. “Diverse voices are essential in shaping how AI develops globally. The future of AI should include perspectives from different backgrounds, communities, and experiences.”
How to prepare now
Olajire told attendees they do not need to become AI engineers. But they do need AI literacy. She advised building data literacy, learning to evaluate AI tools, and strengthening skills like critical thinking, leadership, and emotional intelligence.
“You do not need permission. You do not need a perfect background,” she said. “You can begin with free resources, online courses, communities, and small projects. The important thing is starting.”
She closed with a direct challenge. “AI will not replace every young professional. But a young professional who understands AI, knows how to direct it, and can think critically about its use will have a significant advantage. The rules of work are changing. The question is whether you will watch it happen around you or whether you will learn enough to shape your place within it.”
The expert series webinar was hosted by Techparley Africa and was attended by young professionals across Africa and the UK.
