370. “AI Doesn’t Steal Our Work—It Reveals That Many Positions Were Originally Just Intermediaries

The Real Conversation About AI and Employment: Are We Just Acknowledging the Truth?

In recent discussions surrounding artificial intelligence, a prevailing concern has emerged: the fear of AI displacing workers across various industries. However, upon closer examination, it becomes evident that the issue may not be about AI ‘taking jobs’ at all. Instead, it sheds light on a startling reality—many jobs that exist today may fundamentally serve as intermediaries without adding significant value.

As the buzz around AI intensifies, the focus seems to narrow exclusively on job loss, with little consideration given to the nature of the roles being threatened. The truth is, numerous positions have historically centered around tasks such as managing paperwork, relaying emails, or acting as a bridge between different teams—functions that, with the efficiency of AI, can now be streamlined or even automated.

What if the apprehension surrounding AI is less about the technology itself and more about the uncomfortable truths it reveals? The advent of AI prompts us to reconsider the essential purpose and effectiveness of many job roles. Instead of fearing AI as a competitor, we might benefit from viewing it as a tool that holds the potential to elevate our work and prompt us to redefine what value truly means in our professional lives.

In this era of rapid technological advancement, it’s vital that we engage in a deeper dialogue about the roles we occupy and their relevance in a world increasingly defined by efficiency and innovation. Rather than resisting change, let’s embrace the opportunity to reassess and reshape our job functions for a more impactful and meaningful future.