Fiverr CEO Insists on Hiring Only AI-Savvy Candidates to Stay Ahead in the Tech Race

Fiverr's CEO Micha Kaufman has made it clear that AI skills are no longer optional for job candidates at the company. In a recent interview with Business Insider, Kaufman stated that he would not hire anyone who hasn't already incorporated AI into their work, emphasizing that mere openness to AI isn't sufficient; candidates must have actual experience using it. He argues that the competition in today's job market is not with AI itself, but with people who are adept at leveraging AI to enhance their capabilities. Kaufman's stance isn't just rhetoric; he recently sent a memo to Fiverr's 775 employees, sounding the alarm about the pervasive impact of AI on almost every role within the organization. The memo, later posted publicly on X (formerly Twitter), warned that AI could threaten jobs from programmers and designers to product managers and even lawyers. The aim, according to Kaufman, is to encourage employees to stay current and competitive rather than to incite fear. He believes that failure to adapt to AI could render skills and methods obsolete, leading to job displacement not just at Fiverr but across the industry. This approach is part of a broader trend among tech leaders. Sebastian Siemiatkowski, CEO of Klarna, similarly acknowledged in January that AI could perform all jobs, including his own, a reality he described as "gloomy" but one the fintech has fully embraced. Klarna initially imposed an AI hiring freeze but has since resumed hiring humans to work alongside AI. Shopify now requires teams to prove that AI cannot handle a job before requesting additional staff, while Duolingo CEO Luis von Ahn has announced that the language learning app is replacing contract workers with AI. Salesforce is using internal AI career coaches to help employees transition into new roles as automation reshapes job requirements. Kaufman's vision of the future workforce is one where humans and AI collaborate seamlessly. He maintains that employees who actively seek ways to integrate AI into their work and replace mundane tasks with more complex, human-centric tasks are the ones who will remain indispensable. This shift is less about technical proficiency with specific AI tools and more about adopting a mindset of curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to experiment. Kaufman believes that AI will take over repetitive tasks, allowing employees to focus on higher-value, nuanced work that machines can't yet handle. "These new tools are able to provide us with a lot of work that was just taking time," he explained, "but the special human touch remains essential." Freelancers are often ahead of the curve in this transition, Kaufman noted. Due to their need to constantly upskill and stay competitive, many freelancers spend considerable time experimenting with new technologies, including AI. This proactive approach has led to the emergence of new high-demand roles on platforms like Fiverr, such as AI agent trainers and AI video creators. Fiverr's May Business Trends Index, which analyzes searches across the platform globally, shows a significant surge in demand for AI-related services over the past six months. Searches for "AI Agent" services increased by 18,347%, and "AI Video Creator" searches jumped by 1,739%. To future-proof their careers, Kaufman advises professionals to embrace AI tools, engage in wide-ranging experimentation, and not rely on formal training alone. He emphasized the rapid pace of technological change, warning that maintaining status quo skills will no longer suffice. "Being okay at something is not enough. It doesn't cut it anymore," he said. Industry insiders largely agree that AI integration is becoming a crucial skill in the workforce. Many see it as a means to augment human capabilities rather than a threat. Companies like Fiverr, Klarna, Shopify, and Duolingo are leading the charge, demonstrating that early adoption and strategic use of AI can lead to significant advantages in efficiency and innovation. While this shift may create challenges for some, it also opens new opportunities for those willing to adapt and learn. Fiverr, known for connecting freelancers with clients for various services, is positioning itself at the forefront of this technological evolution, emphasizing the need for continuous learning and innovation to stay relevant.