AI Anxiety Is Real—And It's Triggering Imposter Syndrome Like Never Before

AI tools are creating a perfect storm for professional self-doubt. When algorithms generate presentations in minutes that would take your team days, it's natural to question: "Am I even needed anymore?"

This "AI-amplified imposter syndrome" hits three ways:

Attribution Confusion: Struggling to identify your contribution when AI assists with analysis, writing, or problem-solving. The key insight: you're the orchestrator—defining problems, providing context, and making strategic decisions about implementation.

Skill Obsolescence Anxiety: Fearing AI will make your expertise irrelevant. Counter this by focusing on distinctly human capabilities: emotional intelligence, ethical reasoning, and navigating ambiguity.

Comparison Trap: Measuring yourself against AI's speed and accuracy. Remember: you're not competing with AI—you're collaborating with it.

Action Steps:

• Explicitly document your human contributions in AI-assisted projects

• Shift focus from output speed to business impact and stakeholder satisfaction

• Invest in skills that amplify human advantages: collaboration, empathy, strategic thinking

Women and underrepresented groups face additional challenges as AI can make relationship-based work less visible. Organizations must recognize and reward the orchestration skills that make AI valuable.

Ready to reframe your relationship with AI and build confidence in your irreplaceable human value? Connect with me at jmcconnell@nexteritygroup.com.