Futureproof

1. AI and automation will reshape the job market, but human skills remain invaluable

"We are neither technologically advanced nor socially enlightened if we witness this disaster for tens of thousands without finding a solution."

The AI revolution is underway. While AI and automation are transforming industries and threatening many jobs, they also create opportunities for those who can adapt. The key is to focus on developing uniquely human skills that machines cannot easily replicate.

Historically, technological shifts have led to job disruptions but also created new roles. During the Industrial Revolution, factory work boomed, but so did demand for teachers, ministers, and civil engineers. Similarly, as manufacturing became automated in the mid-20th century, sectors like education and healthcare expanded.

Today's most automation-resistant jobs require creativity, complex problem-solving, and social intelligence. Occupations like occupational therapists, emergency room nurses, and police detectives involve constant change and rarely look the same from day to day. In contrast, highly structured and repetitive jobs are most at risk of automation.

2. Embrace being surprising, social, and scarce to stay relevant in the age of AI

"Your life is what you pay attention to. If you want to spend it on video games or Twitter, that's your business. But it should be a conscious choice."

Be surprising: Humans excel at handling unexpected situations and filling in gaps where rules are poorly defined. Cultivate your ability to adapt to new scenarios and think creatively.

Be social: While AI can meet many material needs, humans are far better at fulfilling social and emotional needs. Jobs that tap into our desire for human connection – like therapists, teachers, and even skilled salespeople – will remain in demand.

Be scarce: Focus on developing rare combinations of skills or extraordinary talents. Work that involves high-stakes situations, unusual skill combinations, or exceptional abilities will be challenging to automate.

• Examples of "scarce" work:
  • A zoologist with a math degree
  • A graphic designer expert in folk music
  • High-stakes roles like emergency responders
  • World-class athletes or artists

3. Resist machine drift and reclaim control of your attention and choices

"If you find yourself working with, or under the direction of, a smart software system, it's probably a pretty good bet that—whether you're aware of it or not—you are also training the software to ultimately replace you."

Machine drift is the subtle way AI and algorithms shape our preferences and decisions, often without our awareness. This can lead to a loss of personal autonomy and uniqueness.

To combat machine drift:

• Take inventory of your preferences and choices
• Identify which are truly yours vs. influenced by algorithms
• Implement a daily "human hour" free from screens and technology
• Add intentional friction to your routine (e.g., reading physical books, taking scenic routes)
• Question recommendations and automated choices

Remember that resisting machine drift isn't about rejecting technology entirely, but about using it mindfully and maintaining your humanity in the process.

4. Demote your devices to enhance your humanity and relationships

"Your phone had once been your trusted assistant. But at some point, it got a promotion and became your demanding, hard-driving nightmare of a boss."

Recognize the addiction. Many of us have developed unhealthy relationships with our devices, allowing them to dictate our schedules, interrupt our interactions, and fragment our attention.

Implement boundaries:

• Keep phones out of the bedroom at night
• Disable non-essential notifications
• Set specific times for checking email and social media
• Practice device-free activities and social interactions

Cultivate mindfulness. Pay attention to when and why you reach for your device. Often, it's out of boredom or anxiety. Find alternative ways to cope with these feelings that don't involve screens.

Remember, the goal isn't complete technological abstinence, but a healthier balance that allows you to be more present, creative, and connected to others in meaningful ways.

5. Leave "handprints" by emphasizing your uniquely human contributions

"Getting to this point requires a new way of thinking about recommendations. There shouldn't be recommendation features and recommendation engines. Instead, understanding you, others, and what's available should be part of every interaction."

Handprints, not hustle. Instead of trying to outwork machines (which is futile), focus on leaving your distinctive human mark on your work. This means emphasizing creativity, emotional intelligence, and uniquely human perspectives.

Make invisible labor visible:

• Walk clients through your creative process
• Explain complex concepts in relatable terms
• Add personal touches to your work (e.g., handwritten notes, customized recommendations)

Embrace imperfection. Paradoxically, our flaws and quirks often make our work more valuable in an age of automation. Don't be afraid to show your humanity, even in professional settings.

Examples of leaving handprints:

• A real estate agent who provides personalized neighborhood tours
• A customer service rep who sends sympathy cards to clients facing difficulties
• A data analyst who creates compelling visual stories from raw numbers

6. Avoid becoming an "endpoint" by maintaining autonomy in your work

"Humans quickly becoming expensive API endpoints."

Understand endpoint roles. An "endpoint" is a job where humans primarily act as intermediaries between machines or follow rigid, algorithm-driven instructions. These roles are often the most vulnerable to full automation.

Signs you might be an endpoint:

• Your job consists mostly of data entry or transfer between systems
• You have little decision-making power in your role
• Your performance is measured solely by quantitative metrics
• You feel more like a robot than a human at work

Strategies to avoid being an endpoint:

• Seek out roles that require complex decision-making and creativity
• Develop skills in areas machines struggle with (e.g., emotional intelligence, strategic thinking)
• Propose changes to make your current role more human-centered
• If possible, transition to jobs that involve managing or improving AI systems rather than being managed by them

Remember, the goal is to work alongside machines, not to become subservient to them.

7. Treat AI like a chimp army: powerful but requiring careful oversight

"People need to understand that current AI—and the AI that we can foresee in the reasonable future—does not, and will not, have a moral sense or moral understanding of what is right and what is wrong. It's crazy to put those decisions into the hands of machines."

Understand AI limitations. While incredibly powerful, most AI systems are narrow in their capabilities and lack common sense or moral reasoning. They can make catastrophic mistakes if given too much autonomy.

Implement safeguards:

• Keep humans in the loop for critical decisions
• Regularly audit AI systems for bias and errors
• Conduct thorough testing before deploying AI in high-stakes situations
• Develop clear protocols for AI failures or unexpected outcomes

Foster a culture of responsible AI use. Encourage employees to question and challenge AI systems, rather than blindly trusting their outputs. Promote understanding of AI's strengths and weaknesses throughout your organization.

Remember: AI should be a tool to augment human decision-making, not a replacement for human judgment in complex or ethically sensitive situations.

8. Build big nets and small webs to create resilience in times of change

"It's a Mennonite barn-raising thing. When the problems at RIM started, everyone just put down their projects and went, 'Okay, time to help out.' "

Big nets are large-scale programs and policies that soften the blow of sudden employment shocks. Examples include universal healthcare, generous unemployment benefits, and government-sponsored retraining programs.

Small webs are informal, local networks that support us during times of hardship. These can include:

• Community organizations
• Professional networks
• Religious groups
• Neighborhood support systems

Strategies for building resilience:

• Advocate for stronger social safety nets in your community and country
• Cultivate diverse personal and professional relationships
• Engage in community service and mutual aid networks
• Develop a variety of skills to increase your adaptability

By combining top-down support (big nets) with grassroots community action (small webs), we can create more resilient societies better equipped to handle technological disruptions.

9. Develop machine-age humanities skills to thrive alongside AI

"We're training people to do machine things. We shouldn't be doing that. We should be training people in uniquely human capabilities."

Key machine-age humanities skills:

1. Attention guarding: The ability to focus and resist distractions in an increasingly fragmented world.
2. Room reading: Interpreting social cues and adapting to different interpersonal dynamics.
3. Resting: Recognizing the value of downtime for creativity and mental health.
4. Digital discernment: Critically evaluating online information and resisting manipulation.
5. Analog ethics: Cultivating empathy, fairness, and prosocial behaviors.
6. Consequentialism: Anticipating the potential impacts and unintended consequences of new technologies.

These skills emphasize our uniquely human capacities for social intelligence, ethical reasoning, and creative problem-solving. By developing them, we can complement AI systems rather than competing with them directly.

10. Arm the rebels: Support ethical technologists shaping a better AI future

"Technology has progressed nonstop for 250 years, and in the U.S. unemployment has stayed between 5 to 10 percent for almost all that time, even when radical new technologies like steam power and electricity came on the scene."

Engage rather than retreat. Instead of unplugging or trying to stop technological progress, focus on supporting those working to make AI and automation more ethical and beneficial for society.

Ways to arm the rebels:

• Amplify the voices of ethical AI researchers and developers
• Support organizations promoting responsible AI development
• Advocate for AI transparency and accountability in your workplace and community
• Stay informed about AI policy issues and engage in the democratic process
• Consider careers or volunteer work in AI ethics and governance

Focus on the adjacent possible. Rather than worrying about far-future AI scenarios, concentrate on realistic, near-term improvements we can make to ensure AI benefits humanity.

Remember: The future of AI is not predetermined. By actively engaging and supporting ethical development, we can help shape a technological landscape that enhances rather than diminishes our humanity.

Last updated: October 2, 2024