Note: Much of this was curated from my book Quantum Minds.
In an age where artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing at breakneck speed, headlines scream about mass job displacement and economic upheaval. The narrative is familiar: AI as the job-killer, rendering human workers obsolete. But what if this fear is misplaced? What if, instead of obsolescence, AI represents a catalyst for reinvention and prosperity? Consider the dawn of the automobile in the early 20th century. Horse trainers, carriage makers, and stable hands faced what seemed like the end of their livelihoods as cars replaced horse-drawn vehicles. Yet, those who adapted—retooling their skills to become mechanics, assembly line workers, or automotive designers—not only survived but thrived. The automobile industry didn’t just eliminate jobs; it exploded with new ones, from manufacturing and sales to road infrastructure and fuel production. The complexity of cars created far more employment than the horse-and-buggy era ever offered. AI, I argue, follows the same trajectory: it will displace some roles, but those who adapt will unlock unprecedented opportunities.
History is replete with examples where inventions predicted to decimate jobs ultimately spurred economic growth and created more positions than they eliminated. The Industrial Revolution in the 19th century introduced mechanized factories, which displaced artisans and manual labourers in the textile and agricultural industries.
The Industrial Revolution (roughly spanning the late 18th to mid-19th century, primarily in Britain and later spreading globally) is a historical parallel to modern fears about AI displacing jobs. It highlights how initial criticisms portrayed mechanization as the “death of craftsmanship,” but in reality, it sparked innovation that created far more opportunities than it eliminated. Let me break this down step by step with more context, historical examples, and data to help you expand on it in your article.
Fast-forward to the 1970s with the advent of automated teller machines (ATMs). Banks feared tellers would vanish, but the opposite happened: ATMs reduced branch operating costs, allowing banks to open more locations and hire additional staff for customer service and financial advising.
Computers in the mid-20th century were another bogeyman, expected to replace clerical workers and typists. Instead, they spawned the IT industry, software development, and data analysis roles, transforming the workforce and boosting productivity across sectors.
Let’s roll back the clock even further, with the steam engine, and tractors followed suit: they reduced farm labour needs but created jobs in manufacturing, transportation, and food processing.
These patterns reveal a timeless truth: technological progress disrupts, but it also multiplies opportunities for those willing to evolve. In my own ventures, I’ve witnessed AI’s transformative power firsthand.
Fine-tuning AI models for specific tasks, like customizing support bots to reflect a corporation’s nomenclature and culture, is a booming market. But here’s the dirty secret: poor fine-tuning can turn a versatile model into a specialist idiot, excelling at one thing while fumbling everything else. This creates demand for experts who can do it right—humans with the nuance to balance specialization and generality. And let’s not forget about AI Prompt engineering. Not those silly little questions we ask ChatGPT to do, but more complex tasks involving agentic functionality. This itself is an art form; each model responds differently, requiring skilled communicators to coax optimal results.
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room, programmers, where we hear “Their days are numbered.” Well, I hate to inform you they aren’t obsolete either. AI can churn out thousands of lines of code for mundane tasks, but it often paints itself into corners with hallucinations or inefficient paths. I’ve seen this myself: with me later needing to revert several iterations to fix AI’s missteps. The critical “brain surgery” chunks of code still need human architects to guide, oversee, and innovate. Rather than folding up shop, programmers can now develop 10 times faster, focusing on high-value work while AI handles the drudgery. It’s a partnership that elevates quality and enjoyment.
And while we are here, let’s not forget about lawyers. Many fear erasure as algorithms invade, but the astute recognize AI as a turbocharger for their expertise. Imagine ditching endless hours poring over contracts for elusive commas or clashing clauses—tasks a finely tuned AI devours in minutes—freeing attorneys to dominate high-stakes negotiations, forge deep client bonds, and strategize with razor-sharp focus. AI doesn’t supplant judgment; it amplifies it, slashing drudgery to let human insight shine. legal.thomsonreuters.com +4
Case in point: my own Contract Prescreening solution, a game-changer that harnesses AI to pre-scan agreements with precision, spotting risks and inconsistencies instantly so lawyers can pivot to value-driven advocacy. Tools like this are force multipliers, streamlining reviews to cut costs, boost accuracy, and empower professionals to deliver exceptional client outcomes. But with all that said, there will be those “glass half full” dinosaurs who become extinct.
In a field where time is billable gold, AI hands lawyers the keys to efficiency, transforming potential peril into unparalleled prowess. This optimistic view isn’t just anecdotal; it’s backed by emerging data debunking the AI job apocalypse. Recent analyses show AI is creating more jobs than it displaces, particularly in sectors like data centers and AI development itself.
Far from mass unemployment, AI augments human capabilities, making tasks efficient and birthing new roles in AI ethics, maintenance, and integration. The media panic, often amplified by unions wary of change, overlooks this. Unions rightfully advocate for worker protections and transparency in AI deployment, fearing job losses in industries like manufacturing and customer service. Their opposition stems from a desire to safeguard livelihoods, but history teaches that resisting progress leads to stagnation. Instead, unions could pivot to negotiating training programs and AI oversight roles, turning threats into gains. The days of generational job roles may be gone forever.
Progress always has casualties—those who view the glass as half empty, but humanity excels at adaptation. As we push toward artificial general intelligence (AGI) and superintelligence, humans remain essential: we are the benchmark AI strives to match, and until robots fully self-improve, we’ll guide their evolution.
To drive this home, let’s draw from Quantum Minds: A Journey into Sentience and the Future of Artificial Intelligence in 2060, a visionary exploration of AI’s societal integration. In this futuristic narrative, AI doesn’t eradicate jobs but enables “The Great Reassignment,” a system where an advanced AI called Quantheon—composed of quantum computers infused with human-like neuron data from history’s greatest minds—analyzes individuals’ skills, intelligence, and emotional quotients to match them with fulfilling roles. As described, this reassignment shifts people from mundane, unfulfilling jobs to positions that align with their passions and abilities, fostering purpose and productivity. “The Great Reassignment was a groundbreaking initiative… signalling a shift away from the status quo and towards a brighter future,” the book notes, highlighting how people adapted to initial resistance, gaining more free time, funds, and a sense of contributing to something greater. Even amid automation’s job losses in labour-intensive fields, the narrative emphasizes tailored opportunities and retraining, creating a “vibrant and sustainable workforce.” Chapters on transition and mentality underscore adaptation’s rewards: “The new system offers more funds, more free time, and provides me with a sense of purpose… This has been an incredibly positive experience.”
Here, AI isn’t a villain but a tool for equity, ensuring everyone has “the same chance to succeed and make the most of the world around them.”Ultimately, AI’s rise boils down to mindset: half-empty glass doomsayers versus half-full opportunists. When I think of AI, I see nothing but potential—for innovation, efficiency, and human flourishing. Progress is inevitable; those who embrace it, retooling skills like the carriage makers who became auto pioneers, will not only survive but excel. Humans will always have a role because we define intelligence itself. AI needs us more than we need it—let’s leverage that to build a future of abundance.
Mark
marksdeepthoughts.ca 
Leave a comment