“From Metaverse Engineer to Food Delivery: Shawn Kay’s story is a warning for everyone”
There was a time when Shawn Kay’s name was shining like a star in the tech industry. Working in cutting-edge fields like VR, AI, and web development, the 42-year-old was a metaverse engineer whose annual salary was $150,000 (approximately ₹1.28 crore). But today the same Shawn Kay lives in a small RV (recreational vehicle) in a corner of upstate New York, and makes a living through food delivery and eBay sales.
From Metaverse to falling popularity
Shawn started his career in the golden era of tech. His work has always been in areas that were shaping the future—Virtual Reality, Artificial Intelligence, and web-based platforms. When the Metaverse craze was on, the demand for engineers was sky-high. But today, concepts like the metaverse have cooled down and the new era of generative AI has sidelined old tech experts.
AI’s flight, man’s arrival on earth
Kay himself says, “I am not against AI. I am an AI maximalist. I have full faith in its potential. But AI is being misused—talent is being replaced, not empowered.” This is a strong observation, especially when he says that he sent 800 job applications but got only 10 interviews—that too with mostly AI agents, not real recruiters.
According to a Fortune report, Kay has now become a victim of a system where hiring processes have become automated. Resumes pass through AI filters before they reach a human, if they reach one. “At first I thought this silence was temporary, but now it feels permanent. Too cold, too quiet and too unsettling,” Kay said.
From an engineer to a delivery partner
Kay now makes money by selling some old stuff on eBay and through delivery apps like DoorDash. He says his financial condition has gotten so bad that he’s now thinking of getting tech certifications or a commercial driver’s license—but he also needs money for training and upskilling, which he doesn’t have anymore.
Shawn’s story is not just one person’s story—it is a signal. He says, “This is just the beginning. In the coming times, not thousands, but millions of people may have to face such situations when companies will replace employees in the name of cost cutting.”
Smarter Machines or Smaller Thinking?
On the use of AI, Kay says, “This is not the time for smarter machines, this is the time for smaller thinking. Companies are not scaling innovation, they are shrinking ambitions.” He believes that AI will be properly used only when it will not replace humans, but will support them.
The answer to a systemic problem
New hiring practices—where automated systems and chatbots have become part of decision-making—are part of a systemic problem. It is said that when experienced professionals like him leave the system, their knowledge is wasted.
What is the solution?
People like Shawn are now exploring new alternatives. They are resorting to commercial driving, local gigs, and freelancing. But the tech industry also needs to be introspective. Are we using AI in the right direction? Is it time to nurture talent again?
Shawn’s story is a warning, a reflection of the tech world that was once synonymous with growth and innovation. Today, the same world has become a struggle for survival for some people. As they say, “This is just the beginning.” And maybe they are not wrong.