How Virtual Assistants Can Thrive in the Age of AI?

Virtual assistants (VAs) are facing a pivotal moment. With AI-powered agents now capable of autonomously managing emails, scheduling meetings, and handling customer inquiries, it might feel like the age of human assistance is coming to an end. But the truth is far more nuanced—and far more exciting.

In this week’s video, Bill Inman lays out the transformation clearly: This isn't the end of your VA career unless you resist the change. It’s the beginning of a new kind of VA—one that partners with AI, not competes with it.

Automation Is Here—But So Is Opportunity

According to a 2023 report by McKinsey, up to 30% of tasks in over 60% of occupations can already be automated. Companies like Microsoft and Salesforce are actively rolling out generative AI copilots that replace many of the repetitive, structured tasks once handled by administrative professionals.

But while AI is brilliant at automating the mundane, it still lacks emotional intelligence, strategic foresight, and nuanced judgment—qualities that exceptional human VAs bring to the table every day.

The Shift from Task-Doers to Strategic Partners

This isn’t a story of replacement. It’s one of evolution.

The VAs who will thrive in this new era will be those who embrace AI as an extension of their capabilities. Rather than spending hours triaging inboxes or scheduling calendar invites, they’ll leverage AI to free up time for what truly matters: high-value tasks that require empathy, creative problem-solving, and personalized human connection.

At Dectec, we believe the future of work is built around AI-human collaboration. Our decentralized twin technology gives professionals—including VAs—the tools to own, train, and monetize AI that works for them, not instead of them.