This interview is part of an ongoing series exploring the real stories behind AI adoption. Rather than focusing on headlines, predictions, or fears, these conversations highlight how women are using AI in their careers, businesses, and personal lives—and what they're learning along the way.
AI is changing careers in different ways for different people. For some, it saves time. For others, it opens doors they never expected.
But for Rose Barfield, it helped us not just change, but actually reinvent her career. Via this interview, she shares how years of curiosity about AI eventually led her to reinvent her career. From writing about emerging AI technologies before they became mainstream to launching her own consultancy and studying Computer Science and AI, her story shows how embracing new technology can create entirely new opportunities.
Read on to learn how AI helped Rose discover a new professional path—and why she believes the best way to prepare for the future is to focus on what humans do best.
Meet the Interviewee
Rose Barfield is a CAD Consultant and Technical Product Specialist based in Belgium. She now works at the intersection of CAD, software development, and AI while running her own consultancy and pursuing a Master's degree in Computer Science and AI.
Connect with Rose here - The Felt Tip Faerie
Interview
Before AI became widely adopted, how would you describe your work and daily responsibilities?
I am somewhat unusual as I was already aware of AI, I had been writing about it for quite some time. One of my roles at the CAD software company I worked was a technical content creator.
There were two elements to this: Social and blog posts and Technical writing
As one of the few native-English speakers in the company, a huge portion of my time was spent correcting or fixing English grammar mistakes. I am not an English expert or teacher, just an English person that lives and works in Belgium. This was also not even officially part of my job. I just helped people out. The time I spent on this was drastically diminished!
My main tasks shortly before the introduction of AI was to run the project for the User Interface, including doing some light coding.
How does AI currently intersect with your work or personal life?
I use AI on a daily basis. On a personal level, it has largely become an advanced Google Search Tool.
Professionally I use it to help me generate technical documentation (this then needs heavy edits), but it saves me a lot of time on the first draft.
I also use it to search of technical answers to questions I don't know the answer two. I use it to improve the SEO and generally findability of my website. I also use it to help me develop 3rd party applications for CAD users. These applications provide additional functionality on top of existing CAD platforms, such as AutoCAD.
I am also studying Computer Science and AI. I use AI to assist with research and formatting citations.
I also use it as a grammar check.Additionally I use it as a coding agent and teacher. I make sure to ask it to walk me through the changes it suggests and explain what is happening, so that I can actively learn. I also continue to do a significant amount of ""hand-coding"" so that I am sure to retain the information.
Whilst I did do some light-coding (XML) in my previous job, I couldn't make the progress I have, as quickly as I have done without AI.
What AI tools, if any, do you regularly use?
I mostly use ChatGPT, however I sometimes use Gemini (I find it better for images, or technical questions related to Google technologies).
I have also tested Claude, but I don't like it's ""personality"".
Can you describe a specific moment when you realized AI was directly affecting your work, career, or personal life?
As part of the blog series, I wrote interesting articles on 3D design and CAD emerging technologies. I was one of the first people to write about AI generating 3D models, back in 2019.
I knew what was coming, but I didn't expect it to be so fast!
Because I worked with programmers, it came as soon as ChatGPT 3 was launched. However, I realised something big was happening when the management and non-technical staff also started using it. Which turned out to be more of a curse than a blessing if I am honest.
What was your initial reaction? Please explain why you experienced that emotion?
Curiosity. I was super excited. I embrace new technologies and this really felt like magic. Especially for someone that has studied art and design. I always assumed that creativity was something that computers couldn't do.
I spent my teenage years covered in oil paint and rejecting computers.
At university I was first introduced to CAD. After a few months of chain-smoking and shouting at the computer (I have since given up smoking). I was in love. I have never really looked back from computer-generated art since then.
I even turned it into a career becoming a technical illustrator after university working for automotive, aerospace and defence companies before I joined the CAD company.
What has been the biggest positive impact AI has had on your life or work?
With the widespread introduction of LLMs I was inspired to pivot on my career. I was given the role of Product Owner (project manager) for the Data and AI team. I was hooked.
I quit my job last year and started a freelance CAD specialist. I also started a masters degree in Computer Science and AI. (I had previously studied art and design, graduating with a BSc in Product Design).
I am also now able to program and create applications that work on top of CAD products. I feel my background in UX and design is helpful as it allows me to understand the needs and requirements of the user in a way that a conventional computer programmer can not.
What has been the biggest challenge, frustration, or downside?
I find that some, generally less technical people, rely on LLMs to generate all of their written text. This can be particularly problematic when I am given summaries from meetings that have been generated from AI.
It can be hard to know what the user said/wants and what the AI has "added in" or "suggested as a solution". LLMs also lack industry experience and knowledge. Often a user will say that they want an automation or a dialog, but it's not really what they need, or it already exists as a solution with less work.
In short, LLMs lack the ability to creatively problem solve.
Has AI changed how you think about your skills, value, creativity, or professional identity?
Absolutely. I have pivoted on my career!
Have you ever felt pressure to learn or adapt to AI faster than you were comfortable with?
No, in some ways, I often feel the opposite. That I'm leading the charge and fighting against the sceptics and those not will to adopt new technologies.
Have you experienced any situations where AI created unfairness, bias, exclusion, or unexpected opportunities?
I feel I've already covered "unexpected opportunities" 😀
For bias, it's hard, many LLMs are actually something of a "black-box". As such people may assume that the algorithm was bias, but we don't really know.
Another things that is worth noting is the people are biased in themselves. For example, an interview with HR, they may have bias against a candidate based on their age, gender, or race. So it's hard to say if the AI or the person is more or less bias.
Do you think AI has affected expectations at work (productivity, speed, output, hiring, promotions, etc.)?
No yet. But my boyfriend is a senior programmer and he is constantly worried about job security.
What is one thing about AI that most people misunderstand?
That it's dangerous. It's just a fancy calculator!
What advice would you give other women navigating AI's growing influence in their careers or lives?
Figure out what you can do that AI can not. This will ensure your job security in the future. And if that means a career change, don't be scared to embrace it!
I had a baby in 2024 and it gave me the opportunity to think about what is really important to me. Leaving my job was scary, but it's one of the best things I've ever done! It's not easy, but I am making it work and that makes me proud of my achievements.
There can often be a stigma attached to being a mother - unreliable, too tired to work, "baby obsessed", etc. I find that my daughter gives me the strength and motivation to be the best version of myself. I want her to know that women CAN be successful in business AND be a good mother.
Sometimes that can be overwhelming, but it's worth it.
For other women that are scared of having children because it will affect their career, or who already have children are scared to take a risk, I hope I can inspire them that they can do it too! Yes, having a child can change your career, but it doesn't need to be a bad thing.
With respect to AI: if it improves your job, use it and if it takes your job, it's time to find your new passion!
Are you more optimistic or more concerned about AI's future impact? Why?
I believe it will create unrest. Much in the same way the industrial revolution did. However, when we look at the potential long-term benefits: medical progress, we can use AI to help with environmental concerns and energy needs, technology is more accessible to everyone.
Complete this sentence: "AI has changed my life by __________."
"allowing me to find a new passion. One that didn't even exist when I was at university!"
Final Thoughts
Many AI conversations focus on what people might lose. Rose's story asks a different question: What if AI helps you discover something entirely new?
What struck me most wasn't that AI made her existing work more efficient. It was that it gave her the confidence to reinvent herself. She moved from technical writing and user interface projects into AI product ownership, freelance consulting, software development, and postgraduate study—not because AI replaced her skills, but because it expanded them.
Her perspective is also refreshingly pragmatic. She embraces AI without assuming it's always right. She learns from it without becoming dependent on it. And perhaps most importantly, she reminds us that technology doesn't eliminate the need for human creativity, judgement, or lived experience.
As more professionals wonder whether AI will change their careers, Rose's journey suggests another possibility. Sometimes the biggest impact isn't preserving the career you have. It's giving you the confidence to build the one you never imagined.
Are you a woman using AI in your work, business, studies, or daily life? I'd love to hear your perspective. Every experience is different, and that's exactly why I'm running this series. If AI has changed how you work, create, learn, lead, or think about your future, share your story in the comments. I'm always looking for new voices and would be happy to interview you for a future edition of this series.
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