Copywriter claims to lose job to AI after short leave. Founder called AI 'cheaper'

What happens when loyalty, hard work, and consistency are suddenly stacked up against artificial intelligence? A Reddit user recently shared a story that many fear but few expect will happen to them—losing a job to AI. According to the post, the copywriter had been giving her all to a role that finally felt stable, only to return from a short leave and find out she had been replaced by Artificial Intelligence because it was “cheaper.”

She explained that this was her first proper job where she felt secure and valued. In fact, she rarely took time off, with this being only her second leave in a year. The reason was unavoidable—both parents were unwell, and she needed to take care of them.

When she returned, things appeared normal at first. But in a one-on-one call, her co-founder revealed that during her absence, AI had been used to draft ad scripts. The results impressed him so much that he bluntly said there was no longer a purpose in keeping her, because AI was "cheaper". The copywriter admitted the words left her shattered. She had always chosen not to rely on AI, preferring to write original content. Her work had performed well consistently, but none of that seemed to matter once costs came into the equation.

The emotional blow was compounded by financial pressure. With EMIs and family expenses waiting, the sudden loss of income felt like the rug had been pulled from under them. Sharing her story on Reddit, she asked others if they had faced something similar—where human work was dismissed or compared unfavorably to AI—and how they coped with the feeling of being replaced.


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Some users told the copywriter that the firing was inevitable and there was little they could have done to prevent it, urging them to learn from the experience and move forward. Others, working in the same field, explained that this situation is becoming common across industries as AI continues to evolve. They pointed out that copywriting often relies on intuition and subjectivity, which makes it easier for decision-makers to dismiss in favour of tools that seem more powerful or cost-efficient.

A few suggested upskilling into areas like SEO to stay relevant. Meanwhile, others were blunt in saying that AI is faster, more scalable, and offers better returns, making it a tempting replacement. Several added that companies today care less about quality and more about cost, treating writing roles as disposable, even though their businesses depend on them.