Perplexity's CEO Urges Shift from Doom-Scrolling to Embracing AI for Job Security and Growth

Perplexity's CEO, Aravind Srinivas, is urging people to shift their focus from social media to AI in order to stay relevant in the rapidly changing job market. During a recent podcast hosted by Matthew Berman, Srinivas emphasized the importance of mastering AI tools to maintain employability: "Spend less time doom-scrolling on Instagram, spend more time using AI. Not because we want your usage, but simply because that's your way to add value to the new society." Perplexity, an AI-native platform positioning itself as an alternative to Google, is at the forefront of leveraging AI to enhance user productivity and value. Srinivas believes that individuals proficient in AI will have a significant advantage in the job market. He explained, "People who are at the frontier of using AI are going to be way more employable than people who are not. That's guaranteed to happen." However, he acknowledged that adapting to AI is challenging, with technology evolving at a rapid pace—every three to six months—and many struggling to keep up. The AI revolution is expected to shrink headcount across various industries, but Srinivas sees this as an opportunity for entrepreneurship and re-skilling. "Either the other people who lose jobs end up starting companies themselves and make use of AI, or they end up learning AI and contribute to new companies," he said. Perplexity's head of communications, Jesse Dwyer, further underscored the importance of curiosity, noting, "History shows over and over that the most successful people are not the ones with the most knowledge but the ones with the most questions." AI's impact on the job market is a topic of increasing concern among tech leaders. Anthropics' CEO, Dario Amodei, predicted that AI could eliminate 50% of white-collar entry-level jobs within five years. Amodei warned in May that AI companies and the government are underplaying the risks of mass job elimination in fields such as technology, finance, law, and consulting. Geoffrey Hinton, often referred to as the "Godfather of AI," shared similar reservations, cautioning against careers vulnerable to automation. In a recent podcast interview, Hinton said he would be "terrified" to work in a call center or as a paralegal, suggesting these roles are particularly susceptible to AI takeover. However, not all views are bleak. Nvidia's CEO, Jensen Huang, believes that while AI will transform nearly every job, it will also create new opportunities. "I am certain 100% of everybody's jobs will be changed. The work that we do in our jobs will be different, but it's very likely—my job has already changed," he stated. Huang argues that AI will lead to productivity gains and societal uplift. Demis Hassabis, cofounder of Google DeepMind, similarly sees AI as a catalyst for creating valuable jobs. He noted in June that AI will "supercharge technically savvy people who are at the forefront of using these technologies," generating opportunities in advanced and emerging sectors. In conclusion, while the AI revolution poses challenges, it also opens up avenues for innovation and new job creation. Industry leaders encourage proactive adaptation and entrepreneurship to harness these opportunities. Perplexity and its CEO, Srinivas, exemplify this forward-thinking approach, emphasizing the need for individuals to stay ahead of the curve by embracing and mastering AI technologies. The rapid evolution of AI underscores the urgency for both personal and collective action. By investing time in AI education and application, individuals can position themselves to thrive in a future where AI-driven skills are paramount. Companies like Perplexity, with their focus on AI-native solutions, are likely to play a crucial role in this transition, pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve and helping shape a more technologically advanced and productive workforce.