“AI will make your job as a writer obsolete.” “You know you can use AI to generate your books. You don’t even have to write them. You could have one hundred books out in a year.” I have been told all of these things many times when someone discovers that I write for a living. I have never found these ideas to be true; I’ve actually had the opposite experience. The more automated and generic things have become, the more my skills as a writer are in demand. In a world filled with AI-generated content, people are yearning for a more authentic experience, not only in the writing world but in many different types of industries.
I recently had the opportunity to catch up with Liz Capants, President & Founder, Global Executive Search, EBC Associates & Erudites Networking Group. I first interviewed Ms. Capants in 2023 and wanted to get an update regarding the new hot topic of AI and how it might be affecting her business.
Liz launched EBC Associates, LLC in 2008, a global specialized executive search, business consulting, and referral networking services firm. Since then, the business has grown to a global network of affiliate partnerships to drive growth, and Erudites Networking Group was formed as a subsidiary.
EBC Associates & Erudites Networking provide four areas of focus: human capital and executive search services, business referral networking, branding and marketing, and social impact, community give-back.
Liz explained that since 2023, AI has absolutely accelerated the pace of business, but interestingly, it hasn’t replaced the core of what her company does. EBC Associates has always been a “people first” organization, and AI has actually reinforced that positioning rather than disrupted it.
They leverage AI to streamline processes, business and candidate sourcing, initial screening insights, market research and mapping, but the real value still lies in human judgment, emotional intelligence, and relationship-building. Clients don’t want boiler plate commoditized information; they want trusted advisors who can bring sound advice, understand data and nuance, and deliver the right resources.
For the Erudites Networking Group, AI has made networking more intentional. People are more aware that transactions can be automated, but relationships cannot. As a result, Liz has seen a stronger demand for authentic, strategic high-value connections and curated communities. AI is disrupting tasks, but not the business approach and creativity.
What’s happening is a shift: repetitive, process-driven work is being automated, while strategic, creative, and interpersonal aspects of roles are becoming more important. The workplace is moving toward a model where humans and AI collaborate.
Employees who embrace AI as a tool are becoming significantly more productive and valuable. Those who resist it risk falling behind. So the disruption isn’t just technological—it’s behavioral.
In today’s world employers are prioritizing a blend of technical adaptability and human-centric skills. Liz shared the most in-demand capabilities that she is seeing. These include critical thinking and problem-solving, communication and storytelling, emotional intelligence and relationship management, adaptability and learning agility, and AI literacy—knowing how to use tools effectively, even if you’re not technical.
Liz believes that in many ways, the more technology advances, the more valuable “human” creativity skills become. Networking has shifted from being helpful to being essential. With AI making it easier to apply for jobs, generate resumes, and mass-produce outreach, she says there is more noise than ever. Relationships are what cut through that noise.
Opportunities are increasingly coming from trusted networks, referrals, and communities—not job boards – they are broken. People want to work with individuals they know, trust, or are connected to in a meaningful way. That’s exactly why she has continued to grow Erudites, because curated, intentional relationships create real opportunity in a world that’s becoming more automated.
AI is making certain approaches obsolete, not entire skill sets. For example, purely transactional writing, basic data entry, or routine administrative tasks are being automated. But Liz explains that doesn’t mean writing or operations roles are disappearing, it means they are evolving.
The human touch is more valuable than ever. AI can generate content, but it can’t replicate lived experience, perspective, or authentic voice, which are becoming premium skills. AI is amplifying roles that require strategy, creativity, and decision-making. Liz is already seeing growth in areas like AI integration and operations roles, prompt engineering and AI optimization, data interpretation and strategy, human-centered leadership roles, and talent strategy and workforce planning. Liz believes that AI will also create entirely new hybrid roles—people who can bridge the gap between technology and human outcomes.
What is most important right now is mindset.
Liz believes that there is a lot of fear around AI, but the real opportunity lies in how we choose to engage with it. The individuals and companies that will thrive are the ones who combine technology with humanity—not choose one over the other.
At EBC Associates, they believe the future of work isn’t AI versus people—it’s AI powered by people.
At the end of the day, no matter how advanced technology becomes, trust, relationships, and human connection will always be the differentiators.
If you would like to learn more about Liz Capants, EBC Associates, and the Erudites Networking Group, please visit www.ebcassociates.net and www.eruditesgroup.com.
