One of the best posts I've read today, Matthew! I loved how it takes off with "In a world where many feel they are what they do, what does it mean to be unemployed?"
So, I think I would say a couple of things from the perspective of Human Loops.
First, AI is already/going to be a massive global, structural, economic change, a true paradigm shift, that affects everything downstream of it, which will be A LOT, including incomes, jobs, businesses and economies, and then of course families, friends, status and connections at the relationships level (which is also pretty structural from an individual's perspective).
I'm sorry to hear about your grandad's dementia. That's a really tough one. His and your family's story is a great example from a past generation of previous structures, purposes and relationships that did all work together—for as long as they lasted. Now a lot of them are going to get trashed and what do you do with all the memories? How do we create new ones or generate or build better or acceptable options for our kids in their lives? And we know what happened to the mines and with de-industrialisation in the UK and all of the generational, social and family turmoil that caused.
Lots of people talk about UBI as the "obvious" solution but even if governments go for it on a big enough scale, how are they (ultimately we) supposed to pay for it all? Even more never-ending public debt and deficit spending? At some point, the labour-capital-consumer equilibrium modern economies are based on falls apart, even if the credit-debt part holds that long, because if enough jobs go, there won't be enough people with enough spare money to buy all the stuff the AI and the robots are producing.
Second, even if we can create social or economic gaps or pauses while we work it out, and work something temporary out for the money side, there is going to be a giant crisis of meaning that will affect all of the key institutions since the Enlightenment and represent an ontological challenge to human creativity and meaning themselves. We could introduce or hope for some positive greater spiritual evolution there, but how many people will just be mostly content to take the UBI and watch some more Netflix? And if everybody is getting lots of free income, what happens to prices and inflation for all of the stuff most people need in some form (housing, good, clothing, etc)?
Essentially, how do whole societies rebuild logistics and income structures for their actual families when a massive percentage of modern work is now threatened by AI? And let's remember that 99.9% of normal societies are not enthusiastic tech VCs in San Francisco or New York.
Definitely a very timely piece! As someone who's worked with AI, I've seen first-hand how large language models are developed and what they're capable of. We are absolutely going to need to adapt our definitions of concepts like work, purpose, and dignity to account for this cat that is almost certainly not going back in the bag.
The shift in generational thinking and being more socialistic in thinking without giving your intelligence to what everyone thinks as a superior being like AI is what resonated with me in this piece.. interesting to say the least :)
This piece is powerful—resonant in its honesty and stirring in its concern. It speaks to the quiet ache so many feel beneath the surface of modern life: the need to matter, to be remembered, to have done something real. You’ve captured the generational shift in how we define purpose and dignity with both heart and clarity, especially in the contrast between your grandfather’s life of visible sacrifice and our current uncertainty in a rapidly automating world. But what shines through most is the refusal to surrender to apathy. There’s something deeply human—and deeply hopeful—in the idea that even if the world changes beyond recognition, the act of trying still matters. Maybe trying is the truest kind of legacy. Thank you for sharing, Matthew!
I am truly touched - It means allot that you gave it a read, and it means even more that it actually resonated! You have put what I am trying to say here, beautifully. 😌
Without a doubt, the advantages provided by AI and Machine labour is boundless, and at this point inevitable. But like you say (and I agree), it is very dangerous. Thankfully, those who are at the forefront of AI appear to realise this, however I am yet to see any enlightens suggestions or idea by any of them as how to be prepared so the social catastrophe that will likely follow labor automation. If anyone finds any sources that do, that isn't just rehashing an argument that universal Credit is all we need, let me know cheers and thanks.
One of the best posts I've read today, Matthew! I loved how it takes off with "In a world where many feel they are what they do, what does it mean to be unemployed?"
So, I think I would say a couple of things from the perspective of Human Loops.
First, AI is already/going to be a massive global, structural, economic change, a true paradigm shift, that affects everything downstream of it, which will be A LOT, including incomes, jobs, businesses and economies, and then of course families, friends, status and connections at the relationships level (which is also pretty structural from an individual's perspective).
I'm sorry to hear about your grandad's dementia. That's a really tough one. His and your family's story is a great example from a past generation of previous structures, purposes and relationships that did all work together—for as long as they lasted. Now a lot of them are going to get trashed and what do you do with all the memories? How do we create new ones or generate or build better or acceptable options for our kids in their lives? And we know what happened to the mines and with de-industrialisation in the UK and all of the generational, social and family turmoil that caused.
Lots of people talk about UBI as the "obvious" solution but even if governments go for it on a big enough scale, how are they (ultimately we) supposed to pay for it all? Even more never-ending public debt and deficit spending? At some point, the labour-capital-consumer equilibrium modern economies are based on falls apart, even if the credit-debt part holds that long, because if enough jobs go, there won't be enough people with enough spare money to buy all the stuff the AI and the robots are producing.
Second, even if we can create social or economic gaps or pauses while we work it out, and work something temporary out for the money side, there is going to be a giant crisis of meaning that will affect all of the key institutions since the Enlightenment and represent an ontological challenge to human creativity and meaning themselves. We could introduce or hope for some positive greater spiritual evolution there, but how many people will just be mostly content to take the UBI and watch some more Netflix? And if everybody is getting lots of free income, what happens to prices and inflation for all of the stuff most people need in some form (housing, good, clothing, etc)?
Essentially, how do whole societies rebuild logistics and income structures for their actual families when a massive percentage of modern work is now threatened by AI? And let's remember that 99.9% of normal societies are not enthusiastic tech VCs in San Francisco or New York.
Wow, that was v intellectually stimulating
Definitely a very timely piece! As someone who's worked with AI, I've seen first-hand how large language models are developed and what they're capable of. We are absolutely going to need to adapt our definitions of concepts like work, purpose, and dignity to account for this cat that is almost certainly not going back in the bag.
The shift in generational thinking and being more socialistic in thinking without giving your intelligence to what everyone thinks as a superior being like AI is what resonated with me in this piece.. interesting to say the least :)
This piece is powerful—resonant in its honesty and stirring in its concern. It speaks to the quiet ache so many feel beneath the surface of modern life: the need to matter, to be remembered, to have done something real. You’ve captured the generational shift in how we define purpose and dignity with both heart and clarity, especially in the contrast between your grandfather’s life of visible sacrifice and our current uncertainty in a rapidly automating world. But what shines through most is the refusal to surrender to apathy. There’s something deeply human—and deeply hopeful—in the idea that even if the world changes beyond recognition, the act of trying still matters. Maybe trying is the truest kind of legacy. Thank you for sharing, Matthew!
I am truly touched - It means allot that you gave it a read, and it means even more that it actually resonated! You have put what I am trying to say here, beautifully. 😌
Very interesting take. AI can be beneficial, but I think it also can be dangerous if abused or misused.
Without a doubt, the advantages provided by AI and Machine labour is boundless, and at this point inevitable. But like you say (and I agree), it is very dangerous. Thankfully, those who are at the forefront of AI appear to realise this, however I am yet to see any enlightens suggestions or idea by any of them as how to be prepared so the social catastrophe that will likely follow labor automation. If anyone finds any sources that do, that isn't just rehashing an argument that universal Credit is all we need, let me know cheers and thanks.