From $150K Metaverse Engineer to Food Delivery in an RV: The Human Cost of AI's Rise
Shawn Kay, a former Metaverse engineer earning $150K annually, now delivers food while living in a trailer. His journey reveals how AI's rapid rise is reshaping the tech industry and displacing skilled professionals.
From Six Figures to Struggling: How AI Upended a Veteran Engineer’s Life
Shawn Kay once lived the tech dream—earning $150,000 a year, building the virtual future, and working at the cutting edge of the Metaverse. Today, he lives in a small RV in upstate New York, selling items on eBay and delivering food to get by.
It’s not the path the 42-year-old software engineer, with over two decades of experience in tech, ever imagined. But in a world reshaped by the explosive rise of generative AI, Kay’s story is becoming increasingly common.
From the Metaverse to the Margins
Just a year ago, Kay was developing advanced applications in virtual reality, AI, and web technologies. His work wasn’t just technical—it was visionary. Like many, he believed the Metaverse would revolutionize the digital world, changing how we work, learn, and play.
“When I got into the Metaverse space, it felt like we were building something that would define the next era of the internet,” he says. “The money was good, the projects were exciting, and the future seemed bright.”
But last April, that future unraveled. He was laid off as companies across the tech world began cutting back on Metaverse investments and redirecting resources toward generative AI.
Disruption by Design
Kay doesn’t hold a grudge against AI. In fact, he worked on AI-related projects himself. But he acknowledges that the industry’s sudden obsession with tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, and others has shifted priorities overnight.
“AI didn’t just change the game—it flipped the board entirely,” he says. “Investors pulled out of VR and Web3, and all the buzz shifted to generative AI. Roles like mine became redundant almost instantly.”
With job opportunities drying up and freelance gigs becoming scarce, Kay’s options became limited.
Life in a Trailer—and a Warning to Others
Today, Kay delivers food in a modest upstate town, while living in a trailer and selling items on eBay to make ends meet.
“It’s humbling,” he admits. “Going from writing code for global platforms to waiting outside restaurants for pickup orders is a tough pill to swallow.”
But he’s not bitter. He’s realistic—and deeply concerned about where the industry is heading.
“This is just the beginning,” he warns. “AI is moving so fast that even highly skilled professionals are getting left behind. We all need to rethink our roles, stay adaptable, and stop assuming that any job is ‘future-proof.’”
A Wake-Up Call for the Tech World
Kay’s story is more than personal—it’s a signal to thousands of tech workers watching their industries evolve at breakneck speed. As AI accelerates automation and decision-making, once-promising careers are being reconsidered, downsized, or entirely replaced.
Now in his 40s, Kay is learning again—studying advanced AI frameworks, reaching out to startups, and hoping for a second chance to rebuild his career, this time with AI at the center.
Final Thoughts
The tech world is no longer just about keeping up with the latest tools—it’s about anticipating where the tide is heading. And as Kay’s journey shows, even a successful past can’t guarantee a secure future.
Are we ready for what AI means for our careers, our industries, and our lives? Shawn Kay’s story is a sobering reminder: the future waits for no one.
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