Fired 4 Times, Fearless of AI: Why This Techie Believes Humans Still Have the Upper Hand
In a world increasingly anxious about AI replacing human jobs, one man’s story is breaking the narrative. Meet Raghav Sharma, a 32-year-old software engineer who has been fired four times in the last seven years, yet today, he’s not just surviving — he’s thriving. His message is clear: “I’m not afraid of AI taking over. I’ve learned to evolve faster than the machine.”
As artificial intelligence reshapes the global workforce, millions fear layoffs, automation, and the end of job security. But for Raghav, whose career has seen more pink slips than promotions, AI isn’t a threat — it’s an opportunity.
Fired, Rehired, Rebooted: A Career of Constant Reinvention
Raghav’s rollercoaster career began in 2015 at a multinational IT firm in Bengaluru. Over the next decade, he experienced:
- Layoff #1 during a company-wide restructuring
- Layoff #2 after a failed startup he co-founded
- Layoff #3 in 2021 amid pandemic-induced downsizing
- Layoff #4 in 2023, when his department was replaced by generative AI tools
“It was frustrating at first,” he admits. “But each job loss pushed me to retrain, reskill, and rethink where I added value — not just to companies, but to myself.”
Instead of resisting change, Raghav leaned into it. He took online courses in AI ethics, prompt engineering, product design, and low-code development, transforming himself into a tech generalist with future-proof skills.
Why He’s Not Afraid of AI Replacing Humans
Here’s what makes Raghav different: He understands that AI can automate tasks, not talent.
“AI is brilliant at pattern recognition. But it can’t empathize, innovate from scratch, or make messy, intuitive leaps the way people can,” he says.
According to Raghav, here’s why he’s confident:
- Humans adapt faster when backed into a corner — machines don’t.
- Creativity, storytelling, leadership, and emotional intelligence can’t be coded easily.
- AI still needs human oversight, strategic direction, and ethical judgment.
He now works as a freelance tech consultant and trainer, helping others future-proof their careers. Ironically, his new gig involves teaching professionals how to work with AI, not against it.
Lessons from Someone Who’s Been There
Raghav’s journey offers powerful takeaways for anyone worried about losing their job to machines:
1. Get Comfortable with Change
“The job you’re doing today may not exist in five years. Accept it, and prepare now.”
2. Reskill Relentlessly
Don’t wait for your company to train you. “Take online courses, attend workshops, read daily. Curiosity is your career insurance.”
3. Leverage AI to Amplify, Not Replace
Use AI as a tool to make your job easier or more impactful. Learn tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, Copilot, or Notion AI — before they become mandatory.
4. Don’t Attach Your Identity to a Job Title
“Each time I was fired, I had to separate my self-worth from my work identity. It’s painful, but liberating.”
5. Network and Build Personal Brand
Raghav began sharing his journey on LinkedIn. Today, he’s a recognized voice in the future-of-work space — with job offers coming to him.
A Hopeful Vision in an AI World
Despite his setbacks, Raghav doesn’t view the future as bleak. In fact, he sees it as more human-centric than ever.
“The more AI does the mechanical work, the more space we’ll have to focus on what makes us human — relationships, ideas, art, leadership. It’s not the end of jobs. It’s the end of boring jobs.”
Final Thoughts: Embrace, Don’t Fear the Machine
Raghav’s story is a refreshing reminder that reinvention is the real superpower in today’s world. While the threat of AI displacing jobs is real, the ability to pivot, learn, and stay curious can keep you ahead of the curve.
So the next time you worry about AI stealing your job, remember Raghav — the man who got fired four times, only to come back stronger. For him, the rise of machines isn’t the end.
It’s just the beginning of a smarter, more human future.
