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Key Takeaways AI-induced job displacement is fueling a new wave of entrepreneurship, with a 67% increase in ventures post-layoffs.
Professionals are leveraging skills in digital services, coaching, virtual assistance and AI-specific roles to create thriving businesses.
Emerging career paths offer low startup costs and high demand, enabling laid-off workers to transform challenges into opportunities.
Artificial intelligence is displacing workers at a rising rate, but that is also giving rise to another trend. More and more entrepreneurs are starting their own businesses after having been laid off. In 2024, 67% more entrepreneurs launched a venture after layoffs, and that number could keep growing as AI becomes even more entrenched.
As someone who has experienced job loss in my career, whether from radio reporter work back in the early 2000s or startup marketing positions later on, I know that the path forward doesn’t always have to mean starting another job search. I, like thousands of other professionals, decided it was time to strike out on my own and turn displacement into my own business. You can do it too, and here are business models that offer low startup costs with proven demand.
1. Digital services
Companies implementing AI are not doing it instantly. It’s often a phased implementation with much work still needing to be done by humans. Digital services can be performed by contract instead of W2 employees.
Digital services is a broad umbrella that covers many different types of work. It ranges from digital products like e-books and online courses to specialized services such as content moderation. That’s where people review user-generated content for platforms to make sure it meets community standards, This requires human judgment about nuance and context, which AI is currently still struggling with.
Custom workflow automation is another example. It helps small businesses connect their software tools to work together more efficiently. Services for niche markets like healthcare compliance consulting for digital platforms are also an area where human expertise in navigating complex regulations is essential. Providing customer-focused service and exceptional support can act as a differentiator and allow you to thrive in a competitive market.
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