A blessing and a curse: How AI is shaping professional identities

This is not the first time technology has redefined professional work. From the introduction of CT scans that reshaped the role of radiologists to the advent of the internet that transformed the work of librarians, technological innovation has always been a driver of change. However, AI is distinctive because it doesn’t merely automate repetitive tasks - it has the potential to replace specialized knowledge. So far, the biggest advances are limited to fields such as journalism and medical diagnostics, but AI is rapidly developing in other professional domains like law, architecture, and auditing.

The literature highlights how AI affects two distinct levels: individual professional identity and the collective identity of a profession, offering both opportunities and threats. First, it changes how professionals perceive themselves and their roles, particularly in relation to competence, service, ethics, and autonomy. Second, AI has the potential to reshape the boundaries between professions, alter their social relevance and legitimacy, and redefine the number of professionals required to deliver services.

The literature review reveals that one of the most evident positive effects of AI is the opportunity to enhance professional expertise by freeing up time for higher-value tasks through the automation of repetitive activities.

In medicine, for example, AI technologies can support diagnosis, minimize errors, and optimize patient management, allowing healthcare providers to focus on value-added activities and patient relationships. Furthermore, AI can be a valuable support tool for less experienced professionals by suggesting specialized or creative solutions, or providing expertise to general practitioners working in rural areas,  expanding equitable patient access. It can also guide decision-making and level up training for young professionals, accelerating their learning paths and reducing the risk of errors. Additionally, AI can enhance the personalization and speed of services offered to clients, thereby increasing the value of professional work.

In the legal field, AI can automate document reviews, escalating efficiency and lightening the administrative workload.

However, while AI can be a valuable ally, it also poses a threat to professionalism. One major risk is “deskilling,” i.e. the loss of expertise due to over-reliance on technology. This can gradually erode the ability to exercise independent judgment, as professionals increasingly trust algorithmic solutions without making any critical evaluation. Furthermore, the work itself may become repetitive if it consists of merely checking and validating AI-generated outputs. Client relationships could also suffer: limited human interaction and AI's inability to grasp emotional nuances risk diminishing service quality. Another critical concern involves accountability for AI-generated professional services, with clear ethical implications.

Beyond transforming individual professional identity, AI has the potential to redefine the collective identity and positioning of entire professions. In some cases, AI could enhance a profession’s legitimacy by building up its reputation. In others, the loss of key competencies could reduce both the profession's social relevance and the number of jobs available.

Most likely, both phenomena will unfold simultaneously, leading to a progressive re-stratification of professions. A clear example is journalism. In fact, while AI can generate basic news articles in record time, it cannot replace the value of investigative reporting or the human sensitivity required to tell complex stories. As a result, the number of journalists may decline, but the social relevance of quality journalism and the work of investigative reporters will become even more valuable. A similar trend is expected in auditing, where the profession is likely to become more specialized while experiencing a marked drop in overall staffing levels.

The impact of AI on professions will depend on several factors. Its adoption will be welcomed when AI is seen as a tool that enhances professionalism and service quality while reducing low-value tasks. Conversely, resistance will be stronger if AI is perceived solely as a means to cut costs or boost productivity. Individual characteristics will also play a key role: professionals with technological skills or an openness to innovation are more likely to embrace AI. Finally, the organizational and regulatory context will be decisive; AI adoption is more acceptable where there are robust ethical and professional frameworks guiding its use.

The potential of AI to upgrade work efficiency and effectiveness, even in professional settings, is extraordinary. However, it will soon redefine professional identities, transform entire professions, and make traditional jobs disappear. This phenomenon is still in its early stages, and robust empirical evidence across different sectors is needed to understand its impact on professional work and to manage it effectively from an organizational and policy perspective.

What is certain is that the future of professions will depend on the ability to strike a balance between adopting AI and preserving core professional values such as competence, service, ethics, and autonomy. These values will continue to be the defining features of professional work in the eyes of professionals, clients, and society at large.

Sartirana, M., Salvatore D., (2025) “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Professionalism in Organizations: A Literature Review.” In Prospettive in organizzazione. 28: 43-56,  https://prospettiveinorganizzazione.assioa.it/the-impact-of-artificial-intelligence-on-professionalism-in-organizations-a-literature-review/