A CEO who made headlines for vowing to fire any employee who does not use artificial intelligence is now admitting that the technology cannot replace her executive assistant. The admission comes as the role of administrative professionals continues to evolve in the age of AI.
CEO backtracks on AI replacement claims for executive assistants
The CEO, who had previously taken a hardline stance on AI adoption within her company, now acknowledges that her executive assistant’s job is safe from automation. According to Fortune, she admitted that AI simply cannot replace the nuanced work her assistant does. This marks a significant shift from her earlier position that everyone in the organization must use AI or face termination.
Why AI cannot replace the executive assistant role
The CEO’s admission highlights a growing recognition that while AI can handle certain tasks, it cannot replicate the full scope of an executive assistant’s responsibilities. Administrative professionals manage complex schedules, handle sensitive communications, and provide a level of personal judgment and discretion that AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude currently cannot match.
According to Fortune, the role of secretaries and administrative assistants is already in decline, and AI poses an additional threat. However, the CEO’s own experience shows that some positions require human touch that technology cannot replace.
Administrative professionals adapt to AI
Deanna Danger, 43, who has worked in an administrative role since 2003, says adapting is key. “All you do is have to evolve,” she told Fortune. Danger started using AI professionally in 2022 and sees it as a tool to get ahead rather than a threat to her job.
Her perspective reflects a broader trend among administrative professionals who are embracing AI as a way to enhance their work rather than fear replacement. The CEO’s admission reinforces that the human element in executive support remains irreplaceable.
Our Take: AI is a tool, not a replacement for human judgment
This story is a reality check for anyone who thinks AI will simply replace all human workers. The CEO’s about-face shows that even the most aggressive AI advocates recognize the limits of the technology. Executive assistants do far more than schedule meetings and take notes — they exercise judgment, build relationships, and handle unpredictable situations. Those are skills AI cannot replicate. To put it plainly, the future of work is not about humans versus AI. It is about humans using AI to do their jobs better. The administrative professionals who adapt will not just survive — they will thrive.
