Where will we work in the age of AI? (second edition)

About this event

What IdeaVerse is about

We meet usually once a month to discuss some of the current challenges as well and perhaps come up with new ideas on how to overcome them. The format of the meeting includes an initial sharing of viewpoints by each participant without judgment, and in the second half we will discuss our ideas and try to find things to learn from each other.

In this next meeting we'll be discussing a second time (focusing on discussing strategies and solutions to adapt or work around this issue this time)...

the future of work in the age of AI. I know, people are talking too much about this already in tech meetups where they just praise it to Kingdom Come. We're tired of it. But whether we like that it exists or not, we are confronted with a choice that I'd like us to discuss: Do I lean into AI like I'm told I HAVE TO, or choose a different path, one more into physical labor or working with people? Or do I just say goodbye to work and start my own business?

We hear thhat AI is going to replace a large number of jobs, starting with call centers, Uber drivers, writers, graphic designers, translators, etc. That a senior expert will replace 4 others in his team using AI. That the only jobs that will remain are those which require human touch like holding meetings, talking face to face with customers, jobs that require empathy or jobs that require dexterity like plumbing.

But the path forward seems so unclear:
1. Who should learn AI: young people who want to compete with seniors\, or seniors because juniors don't know enough to spot errors?
2. Should I double down on AI courses and certificates or jump a sinking ship and learn a craft or improve my social work skills? Or start my own business to escape irrelevance at work?
3. Do we go with the flow and adapt to this rapid overwhelming change\, or demand from policy makers that they do not let companies do as they please if that means lower wages and unemployment at scale?

Some suggested reading/watching:

• If AI Takes All Of Our Jobs... Who's Going To Buy Everything? (the answer may shock you! :) - a 12 minute video) - good summary of the most likely future scenarios for automation and economics. Does not answer our questions but sets the scene for it.
• AI Experts: These Are The Only 5 Jobs That Will Remain in 2030! (15 minute video) - a collage of various human and AI experts discussing options for work in the future (mostly from the famous DOAC).
• Why Companies Are Quietly Rehiring Software Engineers (9 minute video) - some good news, at least for experienced developers; AI can be overhyped.

The meeting is free to attend, but please buy a drink or two at our patron's place, to make them happy. They also have food in case you find the meeting too early (see menu).