Executive Assistants (EAs) are on the brink of a huge shift, and I’m here for it. Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn’t just a “nice to have” – it’s rewriting the rulebook for what it means to be an EA.
I spent a number of years in this very role, and after making the move into learning & development, I’m keen to bridge that gap between theory of AI and its practical application in the day-to-day.
The results speak for themselves. I’m seeing EAs ditch the dull admin and step into roles that are more strategic, more impactful, and frankly, more exciting. They’re not just supporting their execs – they’re driving innovation and becoming indispensable partners in their organizations.
This isn’t just about learning a new tool or two. AI can – and should – be reshaping what an EA can do, and how they can grow in their careers.
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From task executors to systems optimisers
AI is changing the shape of the EA role. It’s freed early adopters from a crushing load of admin tasks, creating space for higher-value work.
For some EAs, this means running more strategic initiatives for their exec, like building board decks, leading Key Performance Indicator/Objectives and Key Results-setting processes, and owning execs’ personal brand. For others, it’s created the capacity to optimize internal workflows, identifying inefficiencies and bringing in high-value solutions.
Imagine setting up a multi-step automated workflow for an exec’s important meetings — AI handles the notetaking, drafts a follow-up email to attendees, adds key sales insights into your Customer Relationship Management tool and pings internal stakeholders, files the meeting recording, and even adds actions the exec took into their to-do list. All in the background with zero manual effort required.
This evolution is putting EAs closer to a Chief of Staff or Operations-like role, where they own organizational efficiency for executive offices and for execs whose currency is time.
Data-driven decision supporters
Top EAs have always acted as a sounding board for their execs, providing perspective and counsel for critical decisions.
AI is amplifying that by putting advanced data analysis in their hands. Today no one needs to be an Excel guru to manipulate and deeply understand data – anyone with access to ChatGPT can now analyze datasets and create robust executive summaries in seconds.
Armed with AI-powered analytics tools, EAs are increasingly bringing data-led insight to aid their executives’ decision-making, making the role more valuable than ever.
The evolution into AI integration specialists
A Microsoft & LinkedIn report from May 2024 revealed that administrative professionals are some of the earliest adopters of AI in their organizations. That’s no surprise — there’s been a trend in the last 20+ years for assistants to take on a systems administrator role in the age of cloud and SaaS, and EAs are regularly responsible for training their execs on tech.
Now we’re seeing top EAs step into the role of de facto AI integration specialists. Because everyone’s bogged down with day-to-day admin at work — EAs just happen to do more of it, and be further ahead on the adoption curve to understand how AI can help.
I’ve seen EAs build a complex mass of automations to provide deadline notifications between Airtable and Slack which increased the forecasting outlook for project planning from 1-3 months to 12 months. Another EA I work with built a custom GPT to translate and auto-categorize bank transactions for a finance team, decreasing processing time by 60-70%.
What this means for professional development and career paths
The synergy between EAs and AI is still in its infancy. This is the best part – the potential is still there and that ship hasn’t sailed yet. The industry is only just beginning to shed dull, repeatable admin. My clients tell me they’re saving on average 3 hours a week (and as much as 8+ hours a week) by outsourcing work to AI. That equates to an entire month of time back per year.
Over time, more and more of this admin will fall away, and high-performing EAs who embrace AI will step into a strategic partner and innovation driver role. On the flip side, laggards who reject AI will struggle to keep up with expectations of this role. The already fierce job market for admin roles will only become more challenging for those without AI skills and an AI-forward mindset.
What does all this mean for the EA career path? Ambitious EAs have traditionally grappled with a low glass ceiling, hitting the top of the pay band 10-15 years into their career. AI will raise the ceiling. It will give EAs the capacity to support execs even more, create operational efficiencies across teams and whole organizations, and truly step into their potential.
The future of the EA role is bright for those who embrace AI. As these tools become more sophisticated and integrated into daily workflows, EAs have a unique opportunity to redefine their roles, increase their value to organizations, and carve out exciting new career paths. The question isn’t whether AI will change the EA role — it’s how quickly EAs will adapt to lead this change.
Fiona’s spent 18,000+ hours of her career redefining what modern digital learning experiences look like. Most recently she led learning programs at Hive Learning, the peer learning app that’s recognized as a top innovator in b2b learning tech. Fiona started her career as an executive assistant in venture capital. She has a degree in Economics from the University of California at Santa Barbara. Fiona is Californian by birth, but a Londoner by choice.
