Why AI Companies Are Hiring Virtual Administrative Assistants
At Avila, we are committed to staying updated on the latest trends in AI and its impact on the workforce. As automation continues to reshape industries, the prevailing narrative has often been that AI will replace human workers. However, new research is shifting this view, showing how AI is actually augmenting human roles, particularly in business support.
A recent study by the MIT Sloan School of Management challenges the idea of mass job displacement. It shows that AI is far more likely to complement than replace human workers, especially in roles that rely on emotional intelligence, creative thinking, and human judgment. The report introduces the EPOCH framework—empathy, perspective, opinion, creativity, and hope—as uniquely human traits that remain vital, even in the most tech-driven environments.
“We think it’s important to shift toward what technology can give us, rather than what it might take away,”says Roberto Rigobon, lead author.
(MIT Sloan article)
And we’re seeing this shift in real time: AI companies are hiring virtual administrative assistants. Not to do what AI can do better, but to do what only a capable human can—organize chaos, communicate with empathy, and bring order and judgment into fast-moving, tech-heavy environments.
The Paradox of Automation: The Need for Human Support
If automation is the future, why are high-growth tech companies still investing in business support services that rely on people?
The answer is simple: scaling AI requires human infrastructure. Behind every automated process, there’s a real person managing expectations, coordinating efforts, and ensuring things don’t fall through the cracks.
Before you make any hiring decisions, it’s essential to evaluate whether your business is ready for this kind of support. Here's a helpful guide: Do You Really Need a Virtual Assistant? Identify Your Business Needs Before Hiring
Virtual Assistants: Bridging AI and Human Judgment
AI companies are often lean, agile, and hyper-focused on product. But that doesn’t eliminate the need for admin and operational support—it amplifies it. These teams need help managing everything from internal communication to investor meetings and client onboarding.
Hiring a virtual administrative assistant allows them to reduce costs, scale support quickly, and maintain flexibility in fast-changing environments.
In particular, these assistants handle:
Calendar and meeting management across global teams
Inbox and stakeholder communication
Light project coordination
Preparing pitch decks, investor briefs, and reports
Want to see what else can be delegated effectively? Check out our post: Top Administrative Tasks to Delegate to VAs
Good Taste: The Human Skill AI Can’t Replace
There’s one trait AI companies deeply value in VAs—and it’s not on most job descriptions: good taste.
We’re talking about aesthetic sensitivity, tone awareness, and the subtle ability to make things feel right. Whether it’s designing a presentation for investors, choosing the right phrasing in a follow-up email, or prioritizing a message across cultures, this “invisible skill” has a visible impact.
Good taste is a soft skill rooted in judgment, empathy, and experience. It’s not programmable. And it’s exactly what makes a great VA indispensable in AI-driven teams.
How AI Enhances Human Creativity and Job Satisfaction
Supporting this human-centered approach is another compelling study from Temple University’s Fox School of Business. Professor Xueming Luo found that when highly skilled employees collaborate with AI—letting AI handle repetitive tasks—they experience a significant boost in creativity, motivation, and job satisfaction.
“Humans are fundamentally interested in creative work... With AI collaboration, you work less, but you work more powerfully and creatively.”
(Full article: “AI won’t take your job; it will make you better at it”)
This is exactly what happens when VAs work alongside AI tools. Instead of being replaced, they’re empowered to focus on high-level coordination, relationship building, and problem-solving—the parts of the job that truly move the business forward.
Why Other Industries Should Follow AI’s Lead
If AI companies are hiring virtual administrative assistants, it's not because they can’t automate—it’s because they know when not to.
That’s a huge lesson for companies in every sector. Whether you’re running a startup, managing a creative agency, or scaling an e-commerce brand, the need for reliable, cost-efficient business support services is only growing.
Learn how to unlock that potential in your own team: How Remote Talent Can Transform Your Business Operations
AI as a Tool for Human Empowerment
AI won’t replace you. But someone who knows how to use AI—will.
Virtual administrative assistants aren’t being hired despite AI—they’re being hired because of it. As workflows become more digital and fast-paced, businesses are looking for people who can manage complexity, understand nuance, and bring real human judgment to tech-enhanced environments.
But here’s the truth: AI is a tool that amplifies your potential—but only if you know how to use it. And that responsibility is entirely yours.
Those who fail to adopt AI will fall behind. But those who rely solely on AI, without refining their own abilities, will soon be irrelevant.
The future belongs to professionals who do both:
✅ Embrace AI to streamline and scale their work
✅ Cultivate uniquely human skills—communication, critical thinking, empathy, taste
At Avila, we believe that the best talent is the one that can harness the power of both. That’s why we specialize in providing top remote talent, including virtual assistants and admin VAs, to help businesses stay ahead in this new AI-driven world.
Contact us today to find the perfect virtual administrative assistant for your business and empower your team with the best of human potential and AI collaboration.
