For decades, executive assistants have been told their profession is under threat. I heard it when I started speaking at events for Executive Assistants in 1997, and I hear it even more now. Every few years, a new wave of technology emerges, and someone declares that EAs are on the brink of extinction.

Now, AI and automation have reignited the debate. Will EAs still have jobs in five years? Will executives replace assistants with software? Will AI finally make us obsolete?

That’s the wrong conversation.

The right conversation isn’t about survival. It’s about evolution. It’s about how EAs can reposition themselves as strategic business enablers instead of waiting to see what happens next.

That’s where the future-proof EA comes in.

What is the future-proof EA?

The future-proof EA is not a job title. It’s a mindset. I first introduced this concept in 1997 when I challenged EAs to see themselves as business assets, not just support staff. Since then, I’ve refined it into a practical framework to help EAs become indispensable, no matter how technology evolves.

A future-proof EA doesn’t just manage admin. They drive business value, shape executive decisions and secure long-term career success. They don’t focus on tasks. They focus on strategy, influence and measurable impact.

The problem is, most EA training still revolves around traditional admin. There’s no shortage of courses on scheduling, communication and tech tools, but that’s not what future-proofs a career. If a machine can do it faster, cheaper or with fewer errors, it’s not a skill that will keep you in demand.

The future-proof EA knows this. Instead of clinging to traditional tasks, they focus on business strategy, problem-solving and executive influence. They operate at a higher level, ensuring they are always seen as a valuable investment rather than an overhead cost.

What makes a future-proof EA?

• Business acumen and financial fluency
  

  Know your numbers. Understand budgets, P&L statements and what drives executive decision-making. AI can crunch data, but it can’t interpret business priorities the way a future-proof EA can. If you don’t understand how the business makes money, you can’t support the executives running it.

• Executive influence
  

  You’re not just supporting the C-suite. You’re part of it. Future-proof EAs know how to advise, challenge and influence high-level decisions. They think like business partners, not administrators. That means understanding what the leadership team is trying to achieve and positioning yourself as someone who can make that happen.

• AI-resilient skills
  

  AI can automate tasks, but it can’t replace judgment, emotional intelligence and stakeholder management. Future-proof EAs focus on skills that machines can’t replicate. When executives need strategic insight, an AI can’t read between the lines or navigate office politics. That’s where a skilled EA makes the difference.

• Proactive problem-solving
  

  Spot risks before they become problems. Identify opportunities for efficiency, innovation and strategic improvements. Future-proof EAs don’t wait to be told what to do. They anticipate what’s coming next. Executives don’t just need problems solved. They need someone who spots them early enough to prevent them in the first place.

• Internal branding and visibility
  

  Doing great work isn’t enough. You need to make sure the right people see it. Future-proof EAs know how to communicate their value, position themselves strategically and become indispensable. If your executive understands exactly how much time, money and stress you save them, you’re no longer seen as a cost—you’re an asset.

Why future-proofing matters

The assistants who struggle most with AI aren’t bad at their jobs. They’re just too focused on tasks, not impact. If your entire role is based on organising someone’s inbox or scheduling meetings, you’ve got a problem because AI is getting better at that every day.

That doesn’t mean EAs don’t have a future. It means the role is shifting, and those who evolve will come out ahead. The best EAs already know this. They’re the ones leading projects, influencing decision-making and making themselves essential to executive success.

A future-proof EA doesn’t wait for change to happen to them. They shape it. They make themselves so valuable that when companies start cutting roles, theirs isn’t on the list.

And that’s what makes the difference.

How to become a future-proof EA

The concept of the future-proof EA is central to my speaking and training engagements. If you are organising an EA event, book me as a keynote speaker or workshop trainer.

If you’re organisation’s EA team could benefit from upskilling to become future-proof, get in touch to discuss how I can help you.