Artificial intelligence (AI) helps make the complicated simple, but we need to avoid merely using it as a simple Q&A tool or risk making our futures complicated.

Why? AI is poised to take away jobs that computers can do better than people, such as academic researchers, generalist writers whomever leave the office, basic product support and chat functions and other “armchair experts.”

Jobs that will not be replaced anytime soon, if at all, include field reporters; police, fire and emergency services; hands-on medical professionals; and, importantly, cleaning and indoor environmental quality (IEQ) jobs where situational and environmental awareness, Locally Applied Science Environmental Routines (LASER), expanded or adjusted roles and simple acts of caring do not permit robots to replace compassionate humans who leverage AI to their advantage.

Actively leveraging AI, rather than passively acquiescing to it, means packaging physical solutions with knowledge and data-driven interventions; building human relationships, not human-machine ones; creating new jobs that leverage human-AI interaction; and training people, not Large Language Models (LLMs).AI-proofing jobs means not fearing AI, but using it to be better at what you do. Cleaning industry executives are already doing this when they use AI chatbots to get answers to questions.

The danger is in passivity. Here are five steps to AI-proof your future.

1. Fire HAL, hire JARVIS

Think of HAL 9000 versus Iron Man’s JARVIS.

In the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, the HAL 9000 computer (an advanced AI system) goes rogue. It takes control of the spacecraft when astronaut Dave Bowman treats the AI as infallible and begins to question his own logic rather than HAL’s. This is the scenario to avoid.

Conversely, Tony Stark’s/Iron Man’s JARVIS models a shared future between humans and AI, where AI is the servant, not the master. JARVIS acts as an intelligent assistant to Stark, enhancing, not replacing, his decision-making.

The JARVIS approach creates a brilliant assistant for cleaning executives, managers and staff.

So, to AI-proof your career as a cleaning industry executive, shift your mindset from viewing technology as a threat (the HAL 9000 model) to leveraging AI as a force multiplier (JARVIS model) that works for you, not vice versa.

1. Be the programmer

As businessman Stephen Covey famously said, “You’re the programmer. Write the program.”

If the customer hasn’t issued a request for proposal (RFP) or scope of work (SOW), create one by talking with your customer and, with permission, record the call so you don’t miss key details. Use software such as Vibe (free) to transcribe the audio, then input the data into ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, Grok, Gemini or another AI chatbot.

Ask AI to draft a customer-defined SOW as a starter service package, augmented by how your firm can meet and exceed those expectations while working within the client’s budget. The more data you input into the request, the better the plan becomes.

Then, and most importantly, rewrite the SOW and plan in your own words, share it with the customer, request input and revise it accordingly.

Do a whole-building health audit based on a physical walk-through of the customer’s facility to pivot from transactional sales of supplies and cleaning services to a higher-margin revenue model through a thoughtfully designed operational (Ops) program that lowers labor costs, improves outcomes and engages AI as servant, not master.

As part of the Ops program:

• Note where your firm can install sensors to track key metrics such as airborne particles, carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
• Outline specific LASER routines that will address each metric.
• Decide where robotic equipment, such as after-hours automated floor vacuums, can reduce labor costs while freeing up workers to focus on better cleaning in other areas.
• Consider how you will monitor and address conditions, and, for larger customers, invest in an online dashboard linked to sensors to enable 360-degree metric tracking and improve indoor spaces.

2. Focus on HaaS and new job descriptions

Promoting cleaning’s role in Healthcare-as-a-Service (HaaS) is an important way to apply AI research to improve cleaning operations, product recommendations and related offerings that contribute to healthful spaces. A simple prompt such as, “What steps are needed for a janitorial supply or services company to advance Healthcare-as-a-Service (HaaS)?” will provide a wealth of ideas to translate into concrete actions, depending on your customer base and market strategy.

The integration of AI, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and autonomous robotics shifts the focus from a schedule-driven, labor-heavy field to an outcome-based, data-driven HaaS enterprise. This is a huge operational and cultural shift, not a rebrand, so create roles and jobs to match the needs of this higher level of cleaning, such as these titles suggested by AI:

• Cleaning Robotics Fleet Manager
• Cobot Technician/Operator
• Cleaning Data Analyst/Operations Optimizer
• Hygiene & Audit Assurance Specialist
• Facility IoT & Automation Integrator
• Cleaning Technology Trainer

Develop an internal commitment, such as: “I will work with AI, not for it.”

3. Build relationships with human beings

Meet, greet and defeat passivity.

Consider the idea: I don’t care how much you know until I know how much you care. Do your customers know you care?

Love is a verb. How do you show it? Reach out personally, be friendly, helpful and give of yourself. AI cannot build trust with the customer or inspire others. Only you can.

Be proactive, not passive. Involve your customer following the axiom of “more involvement, more commitment.”

4. Train people, not AI

Keep your brain, and that of your workers, engaged. As Joanna Stern, author of I Am Not a Robot, said: “Step away from the bot. Do the hard work, sketch an outline, wrestle with the idea. Maybe even using paper and a pen, like some prehistoric creature.”

Ask workers for ideas and have them write them down. Challenge them to think and improve. Work as a team with AI as an enabler.

The future of cleaning does not belong to AI or robots. It belongs to professionals who combine AI with humanity. Customers and workers may forget about your policies, processes and products, but they will never forget how you made or make them feel. Being human is a competitive advantage.