Shawn Kay, a 42-year-old software engineer with 20 years in the tech industry, once earned a lucrative $150,000 salary working on metaverse projects. Today, he finds himself living in a small trailer in upstate New York, making ends meet by delivering food and selling items on eBay.
Kay’s story is a stark example of how the rapid rise of generative AI technologies like ChatGPT is reshaping the tech landscape—and leaving many professionals behind. After losing his job last April, Kay has struggled to secure new opportunities despite submitting over 800 job applications, many filtered automatically by AI systems without ever reaching human recruiters.
With expertise spanning virtual reality, AI, and web development, Kay thrived in cutting-edge tech roles—until the AI boom disrupted the market. “I’m not anti-AI,” he says. “I’m an AI maximalist. I believe in its potential. But it’s being used wrong—replacing talent instead of empowering it.”
He warns that his personal setback signals a broader trend that could affect millions: companies leveraging AI to replace workers and reduce costs rather than fostering innovation. “It’s not about smarter machines—it’s about smaller thinking,” Kay says.
As formal interviews dwindle and automated hiring processes dominate, Kay is considering new paths including tech certifications and even obtaining a commercial driver’s license to rebuild his income. However, the cost of retraining remains a major hurdle.
Kay’s experience highlights the urgent challenges workers face in adapting to an AI-driven economy—and raises questions about how the tech industry and society can better support those displaced by automation.
