AI & EAs: Evolution not Eviction!

As a Senior Executive Assistant with over 27 years of experience working for C-Suite Leaders in various industries, there is one question I come across in most of the EA Forums – Will AI take away our jobs?

My take on this is - AI is transforming the EA role, not eliminating it.

Sharing my Insights:

1. EAs are evolving, not disappearing.

I recently had the opportunity to share my thoughts on “Changing Trends & the Evolving Executive Assistants” at the EA workshop in Bangalore in April. The highlight was how the EA role has shifted from the traditional administrative/secretarial support role to strategic partnership with Leaders. EAs today are:

-Managing Projects & vendors

-Handling & publishing dashboards, reports & financial analysis

-Acting as culture carriers, ideator & initiative implementors

This evolution is driven partially by AI & automation, which is freeing the EAs from repetitive tasks so they can focus more on high-value contributions.

2. AI is a tool, not a threat

AI can be used to enhance productivity by automating routine tasks like scheduling, documenting, and other regular queries. However, it does not replace the nuanced judgement, emotional intelligence, and strategic foresight that EAs bring to the table.

3. Workshop & Summits emphasize Adaptation

The recent increase in workshops & sessions conducted for the Executive Assistants in India and abroad show that the industry is actively preparing EAs to thrive alongside AI. These events underscore the importance of continuous learning & digital fluency. Various topics that have been discussed during such EA workshops include:

-AI Prompting skills for Executive Assistants

-From Support to Strategy – EA as a Leader in the age of AI

-“Smart Scheduling, Smarter Inbox” AI in daily administrative tasks

4. What does the broader industries say?

According to a recent article I read, roles like “Executive Secretaries/Admin Assistants” are among those at risk of partial automation. However, the same article emphasized that AI is doing almost 30% of the EAs work faster, not 100%. AI will definitely augment the EA role, but not replace them because AI lacks the judgement, emotional intelligence & strategic context that only human EAs can provide. As the saying goes – “AI won’t replace EAs, but EAs who do not adapt to AI might get replaced.”

As someone already deeply engaged in the evolution of the EA role, my suggestion to my EA peers would be to:

-Embrace AI tools as productivity enhancers

-Continue developing strategic, emotional, and communication skills

-Stay active in professional networks and learning communities