The Fear of Becoming Obsolete (FOBO) is a term that defines the growing anxiety of many people, especially professionals, in the face of rapid technological advancement. In this context, AI FOBO refers to the stress generated by everything that artificial intelligence (AI) is changing today.
The irony is that this fear doesn’t motivate evolution, but rather paralyzes it, leaving people at a disadvantage compared to those who are learning and adopting AI.
If you feel like you’re in this situation… don’t worry. Today we’ll give you a quick tip you can implement immediately; and we’ll also provide you with a series of actions to avoid falling prey to fear, which can be quite irrational, but no less real.
How to overcome AI-induced FOBO with… an AI tool
If AI advances with or without us, what should a marketer do to avoid being left behind?
The answer clearly lies in learning and tools, but as unlikely as it may seem, using one of them in a simple way can help us immediately: ChatGPT. Let’s see why…
OpenAI recently launched a new feature in ChatGPT called Scheduled Tasks. You can ask the AI to send you automatic reminders and/or run tasks repeatedly on a schedule you designate.
Obviously, you can ask for very simple things like reminding you to take your daily vitamin or paying for your monthly bills, but taking things a bit further, you can ask for more professional-level tasks to quell your FOBO. Before we tell you what they are, let’s explain how to access this feature.
To activate it: select ” GPT-4 with scheduled tasks ” in the ChatGPT template selector, either on mobile or desktop, and once in that chat, specify what you need and when you need it. Obviously, this only works in the paid versions of ChatGPT.
Overcoming AI-Based FOBO with ChatGPT Scheduled Tasks
Once you know how to access the tool, you can request any task from this chat and tell it to repeat it whenever you want.
Here are five specific ways ChatGPT Scheduled Tasks can help a professional avoid becoming obsolete:
- Your daily AI news report:
Set a task asking it to send you a notification first thing every morning with a summary of the top AI news in marketing… or any other area of interest to you. We have one on AI and another on corporate responsibility. - Updates on new tools and platforms:
Set up a monthly task that informs you about new tools and platforms emerging in the market that could be useful for your profession. - Periodic trend reminders:
Schedule a task that sends you a weekly notification with marketing industry trends being built or modified by AI. - Innovative Content Suggestions:
Schedule a task that delivers fresh content ideas for your industry once a week, based on current data and emerging trends. Then, use them to keep your posts relevant and engaging on LinkedIn or any other channel. - Skills review and continuous learning:
Create a monthly assessment task for your team, asking you about the areas you need to improve as a professional. Also, ask them to suggest updated learning resources, courses, or tutorials that will help you acquire new skills.
With these five simple tasks, it’s IMPOSSIBLE for you to become obsolete, as you’ll be more up-to-date than 90% of the people in your industry.
With that said, let’s explore why AI-FOB is so prevalent in marketing and what other actions you could take to limit or eliminate it.
Why is AI-related FOBO so strong in marketing?
Marketing has always been in constant evolution. What is perceived as a common activity today may have seemed threatening in the past:
- A decade ago, social media was seen as the great enemy of traditional marketing.
- Later, changes in Google’s algorithms and the rise of SEO created uncertainty.
- Today, AI is the new protagonist of the fear narrative.
Today, AI FOBO is especially strong because artificial intelligence is impacting fundamental marketing tasks:
- Content creation: Tools like ChatGPT, DeepSeek, Gemini or Claude generate texts in seconds.
- Ad Automation: Meta and Google algorithms optimize campaigns in real-time.
- Design and Creativity: Platforms like Midjourney and Sora create images and videos in minutes.
- Data analysis: AI detects patterns and trends before humans.
How to overcome AI FOBO and stay relevant
The fear of becoming obsolete can only be combated with action. Here are four key steps to take to adopt AI.
1. See AI as an ally, not a replacement
AI isn’t designed to eliminate human talent but to amplify it. Rather than fearing it, it’s essential to integrate it into work processes:
- If AI improves audience targeting, use it to optimize your ROI.
- If you generate texts, take advantage of those drafts and give them a strategic focus in your blog and/or newsletter.
- If you automate campaigns, learn how to set them up for better results.
A marketer who uses ChatGPT or Gemini correctly can structure a content strategy in minutes instead of hours, leaving more time for creativity and innovation.
2. Train in the strategic use of AI
AI fear is often linked to a lack of knowledge. You don’t need to become a programmer, but it is essential to understand how AI works in marketing.
- Learn how to create effective prompts to improve content quality.
- Master tools like Claude, Perplexity, DALL-E, ElevenLabs, and NotebookLM to integrate them into your content strategies.
Those who invest in ongoing training will not only reduce their fear of AI, but will also position themselves as leaders in their industry.
3. Focus on skills that AI cannot replicate
Artificial intelligence is powerful, but it still has limitations. It lacks intuition, empathy, or disruptive creativity.
Therefore, marketers who focus on areas such as:
- Storytelling: The ability to connect with the audience on an emotional level.
- Brand strategy: Design narratives that transcend the short term.
- User Experience: Creating personalized, human interactions.
…will remain irreplaceable in the industry. It’s not about competing against AI, but about using technology as a multiplier of human talent.
4. Take a proactive approach to AI implementation
Many professionals wait for their companies to adopt AI before experiencing it themselves. This only delays learning and exacerbates AI-FOB.
- Proposing the use of AI in internal strategies demonstrates leadership.
- Implementing tests on small projects allows you to evaluate their impact without major risks.
- Documenting success stories helps justify investment in new tools.
Companies aren’t looking for employees who ignore or fear AI, but rather those who know how to integrate it with strategic vision.
Will you fall victim to AI-induced FOBO or seize the opportunity?
The fear of becoming obsolete is real, but what will make the difference is who adapts and who remains paralyzed. AI isn’t going to stop, and marketers who integrate it into their daily routines will not only avoid being left behind, but will also become the most valuable in the industry.
The question isn’t whether AI will change marketing. The real question is: Will you be part of the change or will you watch others lead it?
