Family suffering, income dropped by 90 per cent: 22-year-old Kolkata girl after losing job to ChatGPT 

ChatGPT is gradually taking away some jobs, and its impact is already being felt by people who relied on work as copywriters, ghostwriters, and side gigs to support their families. Sharanya Bhattacharya, a 22-year-old girl from Kolkata, shares how her life has been completely changed since ChatGPT became a part of the picture. She used to work as a copywriter and ghostwriter for a creative agency while studying, but now her writing assignments have reduced significantly, and the company has not provided any explanation for the lack of work.

As per the New York Post, not long ago, Sharanya diligently crafted SEO-optimized articles every week, which earned her a modest income of just over Rs 20,000 per month. She used the phone to support herself and her mother, Bandana, who sold sarees to make ends meet.

However, the promising future took a dark turn when ChatGPT emerged in the scene. By late 2022, Sharanya's workload started to decrease rapidly, and she went from writing several pieces a week to just one or two per month. The companies she used to work for remained tight-lipped about the sudden decline in assignments, but she suspects that the advent of ChatGPT was to blame, as businesses sought to cut costs.

The impact of this change was devastating, not just for Sharanya but also for her family. Her income, which once sustained them, was reduced by a staggering 90 per cent. Suddenly, they had to face the harsh reality of severe financial strain, and luxuries they once enjoyed became unattainable. The family was forced to make lifestyle changes to cover basic necessities like food and bills.

As Sharanya continued her studies in biologic science at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, the fear of potential unemployment in a cutthroat job market for copywriters loomed over her. The uncertainty about her future, coupled with the emotional toll of the situation, took a toll on her mental health. She battled anxiety, feelings of being lost, and even experienced panic attacks.

"This is how I earn my living whilst also studying, I was devastated when I started receiving less and less work," she explained. "I have been anxious, feeling lost, having panic attacks, it has not been a very good past couple of months for me," she told SWNS

Sharanya asked companies to think about how many people lose their jobs when AI takes over. She said that human-made work is different from what AI creates and that copywriters like her bring unique value.

She hopes that in the future, humans and AI can work together in a friendly way to get better results. She dreams of a world where AI supports human creativity and skills instead of replacing them completely.

Sharanya's story resonates with many others affected by the disruptive force of AI. As the AI revolution continues to reshape industries worldwide, it is vital to remember that behind every technology lies a human impact.