‘The downfall of a lifetime’: Copywriter's salary crashed 80% after AI took his job. Internet reacts

A copywriter's life took a dramatic turn when his salary plummeted from ₹2 lakh to just ₹40,000 within weeks, as he claimed artificial intelligence (AI) directly caused his job loss. In a Reddit post titled "Went from 2l a month to 40k a month salary; the downfall of a lifetime," the individual detailed his rapid decline from a lead copywriter earning ₹2 lakh a month to a reduced role at a Hyderabad-based agency.

The Redditor, who began freelancing eight years ago and secured his first full-time remote contract at 18, stated that his career took a turn for the worse in 2026. He alleged that his employer's decision to train AI systems using existing staff output led to his layoff, causing him to lose all his ongoing projects and employment.

Despite finding new work, he expressed frustration over his reduced pay and lack of passion among his colleagues, which he described as the biggest downfall in his career. The post garnered various reactions, with many users advising him to view the situation as temporary and emphasizing the importance of not losing hope and continuously upgrading skills.