Author: Akshay Published Date: 21 July 2025
Your Instagram Addiction Could Cost You Your Career—Here’s the Fix
We’ve all been there—mindlessly scrolling through Instagram Reels for hours, only to feel drained afterward. This habit, known as doomscrolling, isn’t just a waste of time—it could hurt your future employability.
At least, that’s the stark warning from Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity AI. In a recent interview, he urged young professionals to ditch passive scrolling and instead invest time in mastering AI tools—or risk being left behind in the fast-changing job market.
“AI Fluency Is the New Job Security”
Srinivas, an IIT Madras and UC Berkeley alum who co-founded the AI-powered search engine Perplexity, didn’t mince words:
“Spend less time doomscrolling on Instagram; spend more time using AIs. That’s your way to add value to the new society.”
His reasoning? AI is reshaping work faster than ever before.
- Companies are integrating AI into everything—finance, law, marketing, even recruiting.
- Tools like Perplexity’s Comet can automate tasks like email drafting, scheduling, and research.
- Entry-level jobs that rely on routine tasks (think: executive assistants, junior analysts) are most at risk.
His blunt take:
“People who really are at the frontier of using AIs are going to be way more employable than people who are not. That’s guaranteed to happen.”
AI Is Evolving Faster Than We Can Adapt
The biggest challenge? AI isn’t waiting for anyone.
“Humanity has never had to adapt this fast. This technology is evolving every three to six months—if you don’t keep up, you’ll fall behind.”
Some experts predict 50% of white-collar entry-level jobs could vanish in five years due to AI automation. But Srinivas isn’t just sounding the alarm—he’s offering a survival roadmap.
Two Paths to Stay Relevant
1️⃣ Become a Builder
- Use AI to launch startups, automate workflows, or create new tools.
- Example: AI-powered content creators, no-code app developers.
2️⃣ Become an AI-Powered Contributor
- Learn to leverage AI in your current role—whether you’re in marketing, HR, or finance.
- Example: Use ChatGPT for drafting reports, Perplexity for research, Midjourney for design.
The key? Curiosity over credentials. Srinivas emphasizes that in the AI era, asking the right questions matters more than memorizing answers.
Perplexity’s Comet: A Glimpse Into the Future
Srinivas’s own company is betting big on AI reshaping work. Their Comet browser acts like a “cognitive OS,” handling tasks like:
✔ Summarizing job candidates from LinkedIn
✔ Scheduling meetings via natural language
✔ Drafting personalized emails
While still in beta, Comet hints at a future where AI handles mundane tasks, freeing humans for creative problem-solving.
Why This Matters for You
✅ Your time is your most valuable asset—swap 30 minutes of scrolling for 30 minutes of AI learning.
✅ Job markets are shifting—AI skills are becoming baseline requirements, not bonuses.
✅ Opportunity favors the adaptable—new roles will emerge, but only those who embrace AI will thrive.
How to Get Started Today
🔹 Experiment with free AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini).
🔹 Take an online course (Google’s AI Essentials, Microsoft’s AI training).
🔹 Automate one work task this week (e.g., use AI to draft emails or analyze data).