TL;DRTechnology advisor Monty McCoy argues that the most important question about AI is not whether machines will take jobs but what people will do with the time that opens up. He warns that removing the “whirlwind” of routine work without helping people develop new sources of meaning could create a vacuum filled by distraction, outrage, and division rather than creativity and connection.
When I had back surgery, I assumed recovery would be linear.
I thought each week would bring a little less pain, a little more mobility, and another step toward normal. Then I hit a setback. I had assumed I was further along than I actually was.
That experience has stayed with me because I think we are making a similar assumption about artificial intelligence.
We talk about the transition to an automated world as though it will follow a predictable path. AI capabilities will improve. Companies will adopt them. Autonomous systems will become more common. Workers will adjust. Eventually, much of the routine work that fills our days will be handled by machines.
