Ai  ·  Career  ·  Entrepreneur

AI Skills Gap Crisis: My 11Alive Interview on Layoffs, AI, and the Future of Work

Here's What I Told Dan Kennedy About Layoffs, AI, and the Skills You Need Right Now

I got the call to join Dan Kennedy on 11Alive Morning News, and honestly, I was excited. Because there’s something happening right now that’s making people anxious, and I knew I had to set the record straight.

More than a million job cuts have been announced this year. Companies everywhere are citing AI and automation as the reason. And everyone’s freaking out, thinking the robots are taking over.

But here’s what I told Dan, and what I need you to hear: This isn’t a jobs crisis. It’s an AI skills gap crisis.

And the difference between those two things? That’s everything.

Watch the Interview

Hear me talk with Dan Kennedy on 11Alive about why this isn’t a jobs crisis, it’s an AI skills gap, and what you can do about it.

Let’s Talk About What’s Really Happening

Dan opened with the numbers we’re all seeing. Job cuts surging. Headlines screaming about AI replacing humans. Companies restructuring left and right.

And yeah, I get it. When you see those headlines, your first thought is probably, “Am I next?”

But here’s where it gets interesting. While companies are laying people off, they’re also saying they can’t find the talent they need. LinkedIn data shows AI literacy is literally the number one skill in demand right now. Twenty percent of organizations say AI development roles are their hardest positions to fill.

So let me ask you this: if AI were really replacing all of us, why would companies be desperately hunting for people who know how to use AI?

See what I’m saying?

The truth is, organizations aren’t cutting jobs because machines can do everything. They’re restructuring because too many talented people, smart, hardworking people, don’t have the skills their companies need to compete anymore.

That’s the AI skills gap. And it’s costing people their jobs.

But here’s the good news: this is fixable. Completely fixable.

Who’s Getting Hit the Hardest Right Now

During the interview, Dan asked me who’s feeling this the most. And the answer isn’t what you might think.

Fresh graduates are walking into a nightmare. They studied hard, got their degrees, and now they’re finding out that employers want something their education never taught them. Job postings with AI mentioned have jumped 400% in two years. Entry-level corporate jobs? Down 15% year over year. Nearly half of Gen Z thinks AI made their degrees less valuable.

And you know what? They’re not wrong.

But it’s not just the young people. Mid-career professionals are getting hit, too. Maybe that’s you. You’ve spent years, maybe decades, becoming really good at what you do. You know your industry inside and out. You’ve built a reputation.

But now? That expertise alone isn’t cutting it anymore.

The accountant who’s brilliant with numbers but can’t work with AI analytics tools. The marketing manager who knows her stuff but doesn’t know how to use AI for content creation. The operations pro who’s great at processes but hasn’t learned AI-enhanced workflows.

All vulnerable. All at risk.

And here’s what concerns me about this: most of these people could absolutely learn what they need to know. They’re smart. They’re motivated and have everything it takes.

What they don’t have? The right training at the right time.

That’s the gap I’m trying to close.

The Training Mistake Companies Keep Making

I told Dan something that might surprise business leaders watching: you’re doing this backwards.

Most companies treat AI like it’s just a technology purchase. They buy the fancy tools, roll them out, and then wonder why nothing changes.

You know what’s missing? Your people.

That AI customer service system you spent a fortune on? Useless if your team doesn’t know how to work with it. That marketing automation platform? Dead in the water if your creatives can’t craft the right prompts. Those data analytics tools? Sitting there collecting dust because nobody learned how to use them properly.

Companies keep treating training like an afterthought. They hand people new tools and say, “figure it out.” Or they do one workshop and think they’re done.

Then they act shocked when productivity doesn’t increase, and they still can’t find qualified candidates.

Here’s the cycle: implement AI without real training, get disappointing results, blame your workforce, restructure, try to hire external talent who… also don’t have the skills because nobody’s training anyone properly.

See the problem?

The solution isn’t that complicated. You need to assess what skills your people actually have, design targeted training for their specific roles, support them as they learn, and build a culture where learning AI isn’t a one-time event. It’s just how you do business.

But most companies aren’t doing that. And that’s why we’re seeing these layoffs.

What You Can Do to Close the Gap Today

When Dan asked me what someone watching should do if they’re worried about their job, I gave him the same advice I give everyone I train:

Spend 15 minutes a day learning AI. Starting today.

I know it sounds simple. Maybe too simple. But I’ve trained thousands of people, and I promise you, this works!

Here’s how to start. Get a free ChatGPT account right now. Don’t overthink it. Just do it.

Then talk to it like a person. Tell it who you are: “I’m in HR. What are three things I can do to increase my skills with AI?”

Or if you’re a business owner: “I own a catering company. I made $100,000 last year. I want to increase profits. What do you need to know about my business to help me create a marketing plan?”

ChatGPT will ask you questions. Answer them. Have a real conversation. You’re not just learning about AI, you’re using it right now to get better at your job or grow your business.

And for those of you with kids? Start them on AI today. Use fun tools. Google Gemini has great stuff for kids. Because here’s what I’m seeing in every corporate and government training I do: employers want new graduates who already know AI. It doesn’t matter if it’s retail, manufacturing, healthcare, or whatever. They’re asking: “How AI literate are you?”

Get your kids learning this now, and they’ll walk into the job market ready. Not scrambling to catch up.

Why I’m Telling You This

At the end of the interview, Dan gave me 30 seconds for final advice. I told him: AI literacy is the number one thing you can do right now. It’s the most in-demand skill. Get AI literate. Start using a tool. Dive in.

And do it now. Not next week. Not when you have more time. It’s now.

Because here’s what I see every single day: I work with organizations desperate for AI-skilled people. And I work with talented professionals worried about losing their jobs. The AI skills gap between what people know and what companies need is real.

But it’s bridgeable. Completely bridgeable.

Every time I train someone, every time I teach a workshop, every time I speak at an event, I see people’s faces light up when they realize AI isn’t this impossible, scary thing. It’s a tool. A powerful one, right. But still just a tool that anyone can learn.

You don’t need to become a programmer. You don’t need a computer science degree. What you need is AI literacy. A clear understanding of what AI can do, how it fits into your work, when to lean on it, and when your own judgment matters most.

And yes, this is something you can learn.

Make Your Move: Bridge the AI Skills Gap

The AI skills gap is real. It’s showing up in layoffs, in job anxiety, and in how entire industries are changing. And I know that can feel overwhelming.

But here’s the part I want you to hold onto: you’re not behind, and you’re not powerless.

This doesn’t require having all the answers today or making dramatic changes overnight. It starts small, with steady steps that fit into real life.

Take 15 minutes. Open a tool like ChatGPT. Ask a question. Try something small.

I’ve seen people in their 20s and in their 60s do this. Career changers. Business owners. Entire teams who were nervous at first and then surprised by how quickly things began to click.

The common thread wasn’t talent or age or background.
 It was willingness.

So if you’re wondering what comes next, let me ask you this with care, not pressure: will you give yourself permission to start today, even in a small way?

One path leads to confidence and possibility. The other keeps the stress where it is.

And you get to choose.

Want help closing your AI skills gap? Check out my training programs or book a consulting session. And don’t forget to grab my free ChatGPT guide to get you started toda


ai and layoffsai literacyai skills gapAI trainingcareer resiliencedigital skillsfuture of workjob market trendsworkforce upskillingworkplace ai

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