My husband no longer wants to have children because he’s worried about the rise of AI

Title: Navigating Parental Aspirations Amid AI Concerns: A Personal Journey

As a 30-year-old woman, I find myself at a pivotal crossroads in my life regarding family planning. My husband, who is 45, and I had plans to begin trying for a child next month, with all the necessary preconception preparations already in place. However, a recent conversation has left me both puzzled and concerned about our future family plans.

My husband has been delving into research on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the job market. He shared with me his findings from sources like Goldman Sachs and discussions with individuals he considers knowledgeable about the future. His conclusion? He believes that the rise of AI will severely limit job opportunities for future generations, making it unwise to bring children into a world filled with uncertainty and economic strife. He feels that it’s statistically improbable for our child to be one of the few who would thrive in such a challenging environment. This has led him to a drastic decision against having children.

While I understand his concerns and appreciate his diligence, I can’t help but find his reasoning overly simplistic and somewhat alarmist. His expertise lies in finance, not in the fields of sociology or futurism, so I wonder how he can make such sweeping predictions about the future with such conviction.

To counter this perspective, I seek your insights. Are there resources or studies that provide a more balanced view on the influence of AI on future job markets? I believe that opening a dialogue around these fears would help soften the rigidity of his outlook.

Update: A heartfelt thank you to everyone for your thoughtful responses! It’s possible my husband could be feeling the weight of age-related concerns, but what was more revealing is that he expressed these opinions during a moment of fatigue and discouragement. After further discussion, he reassured me that he hasn’t completely abandoned the desire to become a father. His fears stemmed from a place of self-doubt about his readiness for parenthood, rather than a definitive stance against it.

This is a testament to the importance of communication in relationships—allowing for doubts and fears to be voiced openly can lead to deeper understanding and growth. Thank you all for your supportive insights!