CNBC · 20 Oct, 16:44 · Artificial Intelligence briefing

To AI-proof your career, learn to 'build and sell,' says $100 billion cybersecurity firm founder

The founder of a $100 billion cybersecurity firm advises professionals to learn how to 'build and sell' to safeguard their careers against artificial intelligence.

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

The founder of a $100 billion cybersecurity firm advises professionals to learn how to 'build and sell' to safeguard their careers against artificial intelligence. Reported by CNBC, the commentary suggests that technical execution alone is insufficient. Instead, individuals must combine creation with commercialisation. This approach ensures that output generates tangible business value. The advice targets working professionals seeking long-term relevance. It emphasises that AI handles routine tasks, leaving strategic value creation to humans. Professionals are urged to develop dual competencies in product development and market acquisition to remain indispensable in an evolving corporate landscape.

Employer demand for Cyber Security skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

You must evolve beyond pure technical execution. AI automates routine tasks, so your value lies in connecting creation with commercial outcomes. Focus on mastering both product development and sales strategies. This dual capability makes you indispensable. Technical specialists should upskill in business communication and market positioning. Conversely, sales professionals must understand the fundamentals of what they sell. Smart professionals will immediately audit their current role. Identify where you can own the end-to-end value chain. Seek projects that require you to define a solution and pitch it to stakeholders. This shift protects your career by aligning your output directly with revenue generation and strategic decision-making, areas where human judgment remains critical.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Cyber Security, AI Strategy, Digital Marketing and Business And Management — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

Enrol in these
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These programmes position you for exactly this shift — online, self-paced, and finishing with a verifiable certificate you can share the day you pass.