Australian Financial Review Feature

What Does an AI-Proof Career Really Look Like?

The conversation around artificial intelligence and the future of work is often framed in extremes: excitement on one end, fear on the other. But the reality, as many leaders now recognise, is far more grounded.

That’s why we were proud to see Australian Financial Review explore this topic in print, bringing together Australian technology leaders to reflect on what AI-proof careers actually look like, not just for organisations, but for the next generation.

Among those featured was our very own Kathryn Giudes, founder of ORCA Opti and mother of three, sharing a perspective shaped by years working at the intersection of infrastructure, security, and emerging technology.

AI Doesn’t Replace Judgment, It Amplifies It

A recurring theme in the AFR article is that AI doesn’t remove the need for human capability, it raises the bar for it.

As Kat notes in the article, the advantage increasingly goes to people who can combine technical literacy with healthy scepticism. Understanding how AI works is important, but understanding its limitations, biases, and appropriate use cases is what makes the difference.

This perspective aligns closely with how we build ORCA Opti.

AI is a powerful tool, but it is not an oracle. It requires context, verification, governance, and accountability. Without those guardrails, automation can introduce risk rather than reduce it.

While specific tools and platforms will continue to change, the skills that remain valuable are remarkably consistent:

• Critical thinking and decision-making

• Communication and collaboration

• Ethical judgement and accountability

• The ability to work with systems, not blindly rely on them

In regulated environments such as healthcare, defence, infrastructure, not-for-profits, etc. these skills are not optional. They are foundational.

This is why AI-proof careers are not about avoiding technology. They are about learning to work alongside it in a way that strengthens outcomes rather than shortcuts responsibility.

For businesses, the same principle applies.

The organisations that will thrive in an AI-enabled future are not those that deploy the most tools, but those that embed AI within well-designed processes, clear governance, and strong operational discipline.

At ORCA Opti, we focus on using AI to:

• Support better decision-making

• Reduce administrative burden without reducing accountability

• Keep knowledge, policies, and processes accessible and consistent

• Help teams respond confidently when things go wrong

AI should make organisations more resilient - not more fragile.

Being featured in the AFR in print is a proud milestone for our team, but more importantly, it reflects the quality of the conversation happening across Australian industry.

The future of work isn’t about humans versus machines. It’s about humans who understand how to use machines wisely.

That’s a future we’re building for organisations today, and for the next generation stepping into the workforce tomorrow.