Fiverr CEO Micha Kaufman issued a bold warning: AI will disrupt not just traditional jobs, but executive roles too. Explore how his memo is shaking up the future of work, gig economy, and AI adaptation. 

In a world increasingly shaped by technological advancements, the future of work is under intense scrutiny. Today Micha Kaufman, CEO of Fiverr, sent shockwaves through the professional landscape with a candid internal memo to his employees, warning that artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to disrupt jobs across industries—including his own. The email, which was later shared publicly by Neatprompts CEO Aadit Sheth on social media, has ignited a global conversation about the rapid transformation of the job market and the urgent need for professionals to adapt. Kaufman’s message is not just a wake-up call for Fiverr’s workforce but a clarion call for workers worldwide to embrace AI or risk obsolescence.

The Blunt Truth: AI Is Coming for All of Us

Kaufman’s memo, described “AI is coming for your jobs. Heck, it’s coming for my job too,” he wrote, emphasizing that the threat is not limited to low-skill or repetitive roles but extends to high-skill, white-collar professions. He identified eight job categories particularly vulnerable to AI-driven automation: programmers, designers, product managers, data scientists, lawyers, customer support agents, salespeople, and finance professionals. These roles, traditionally seen as secure due to their reliance on complex problem-solving, decision-making, and communication, are now at risk as large language models (LLMs) and generative AI tools become more sophisticated.

The Fiverr CEO’s warning aligns with broader trends in the global labor market. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, technological advancements, particularly in AI and automation, are expected to transform 22% of today’s jobs by 2030, creating 170 million new jobs but displacing 92 million others. The report highlights that 39% of existing skill sets will become outdated over the same period, underscoring the need for continuous reskilling. Kaufman’s message echoes this urgency, noting that tasks once considered “easy” are now automated, while “hard” tasks are being simplified by AI-driven efficiency.

Professions Most Vulnerable to AI Disruption

Kaufman’s list of at-risk roles spans a wide range of industries, reflecting the pervasive impact of AI. Programmers, for instance, face competition from AI tools like GitHub Copilot, which can generate code snippets with remarkable accuracy. Designers are contending with AI-powered platforms like Midjourney and DALL·E, capable of producing high-quality visuals in seconds. Product managers and data scientists, roles that rely on strategic decision-making and data analysis, are not immune either, as AI systems increasingly handle predictive modeling and project prioritization. Lawyers may find routine tasks like contract drafting automated, while customer support and sales roles are being replaced by chatbots and AI-driven CRM systems. Even finance professionals, who deal with complex data, are seeing AI encroach on tasks like auditing and forecasting.

Perhaps most strikingly, Kaufman admitted that his own role as CEO is not safe. Strategic decision-making and operational oversight, once the exclusive domain of executives, could soon be augmented or replaced by AI systems capable of analyzing vast datasets and optimizing business outcomes. This admission underscores the universality of the AI threat—no one, regardless of seniority, is exempt.

The Call to Action: Upskill or Be Left Behind

Rather than despair, Kaufman’s memo is a rallying cry for adaptation. He urged employees to “future-proof” their careers by mastering AI tools relevant to their fields. “LLM and GenAI are the new basics,” he wrote. “If you’re not using them as experts, your value will decrease before you know what hit you.” He emphasized the importance of skills like prompt engineering—crafting precise inputs to maximize AI outputs—as a critical competency for the future. Kaufman also advised employees to move beyond traditional tools like Google, which he declared “dead” in the context of AI-driven workflows, and to integrate AI seamlessly into their daily tasks.

This call to action is not unique to Fiverr. The World Economic Forum reports that 50% of workers have already engaged in training or upskilling to keep pace with technological change, a slight increase from 41% in 2023. Analytical thinking, resilience, and AI literacy are among the most sought-after skills, with AI and big data topping the list of fastest-growing competencies. Kaufman’s emphasis on proactive learning aligns with these findings, as he encouraged employees to create their own growth opportunities and contribute ideas to make Fiverr more AI-efficient.

The Bigger Picture: AI’s Impact on the Gig Economy

As the CEO of Fiverr, a platform that connects freelancers with clients worldwide, Kaufman’s perspective carries particular weight in the gig economy. Fiverr has long been a cornerstone of freelance work, enabling millions of professionals to offer services ranging from graphic design to software development. However, the rise of AI poses both opportunities and challenges for this ecosystem. On one hand, AI tools can enhance freelancers’ productivity, allowing them to scale their work and offer new services like AI-generated content or automation consulting. On the other hand, clients may increasingly opt for AI solutions over human freelancers, threatening the livelihoods of those who fail to adapt.

Kaufman’s response to this challenge is Fiverr Go, a recently launched initiative that equips freelancers with AI tools to augment their work. The platform’s “Personal AI Creation Model” allows freelancers to train AI on their previous work—such as artwork or code—and charge clients for access, ensuring they retain ownership and compensation. This approach positions AI as a collaborator rather than a competitor, a philosophy Kaufman articulated when he said, “AI should serve freelancers, not the other way around.” However, the program’s $25 monthly fee and limited initial rollout to “top, vetted” freelancers have raised concerns about accessibility and fairness in an already competitive market.

The Social Media Storm

The public release of Kaufman’s memo have sparked quite a few debates across social media. Some professionals view his predictions as alarmist, arguing that AI’s impact is overstated or that human creativity and emotional intelligence will remain irreplaceable. Others see his candor as a necessary reality check.

Critics, however, question whether Kaufman’s message is partly strategic. Fiverr’s stock has faced challenges, with a total shareholder return of -85% over three years, and the company is navigating a competitive landscape where AI tools could render traditional freelance platforms obsolete. Some speculate that the memo serves to reassure investors and freelancers alike, signaling Fiverr’s proactive stance in embracing AI. Regardless of the intent, the email has succeeded in making the conversation about AI and jobs loud and clear.

The Road Ahead is Collaboration, Not Replacement

Kaufman’s vision is not one of doom but of transformation. He invited employees to join him in discussions about Fiverr’s AI-driven future, emphasizing that the company’s success depends on collective adaptation. “We have a magnificent company and a bright future ahead,” he wrote. “But it won’t be pretty or easy. It will be hard and demanding—but damn well worth it.” This optimism is tempered by realism, acknowledging the difficulties of navigating an AI-driven world.

For workers globally, Kaufman’s warning is a reminder that the AI revolution is not a distant threat but a present reality. Professionals must embrace continuous learning, experiment with AI tools, and cultivate skills that complement automation. While AI may displace certain roles, it also creates opportunities for those who can harness its potential—whether through prompt engineering, AI-assisted creativity, or entirely new job categories yet to emerge.

As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: the future of work is being rewritten, and those who heed Kaufman’s call to adapt will be best positioned to thrive. In his words, it’s about being “on the winning side of history”.