I strongly believe a job cannot define a person. Unfortunately, if it is something we spend a lot of time doing, it feels like all we are is that job (been there), but the truth is, we are not.
One of my biggest aims while working was to optimise myself and everything around me to finish the task in the least time possible so I could have more free time. I've done research for years, which is not a regular 9–5 job. It can very easily become a 24/7 job, so one has to draw the line on when to stop. So, I would define goals (or have them defined for me) and I'd do my best to attain them, so I could have more free time. I have done very different jobs since then, and I've realised my goal never changed. Because there is a lot beyond "a job" that I love investing my time in, even if I love the job I am doing.
The way I think about it: if AI is going to give us more free time, why not enjoy that to pursue the things we've always wanted to try? If we get paid less for what was our primary source of income but have free time, we can also find a way of designing an income from something else we enjoy doing. We will have more time to create, which I feel is what humans are designed to do. More time for ourselves, more time to simply enjoy being human.
AI is a tool. Let tools do whatever repetitive, not-so-interesting tasks we previously had to do, and let us enjoy the extra free time we get from that. Whatever skills and knowledge we learnt before will stay with us, but we should focus on this new, maybe challenging and scary, opportunity — the chance to have more time to find ourselves. Because no matter how much AI evolves, "being human" — with intuition, creativity, emotional intelligence, the ability to feel deeply and to look for connection — I don't think that will ever be replaced by AI.
And in my humble opinion that no one asked for, hahah, I think that is something worth being excited for.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, Maria. Your reflections are great!
New technology could be a way to free up time, but so far - with every major shift - we haven't done that. Now it's up to us to shape the opportunity ahead.
I strongly believe a job cannot define a person. Unfortunately, if it is something we spend a lot of time doing, it feels like all we are is that job (been there), but the truth is, we are not.
One of my biggest aims while working was to optimise myself and everything around me to finish the task in the least time possible so I could have more free time. I've done research for years, which is not a regular 9–5 job. It can very easily become a 24/7 job, so one has to draw the line on when to stop. So, I would define goals (or have them defined for me) and I'd do my best to attain them, so I could have more free time. I have done very different jobs since then, and I've realised my goal never changed. Because there is a lot beyond "a job" that I love investing my time in, even if I love the job I am doing.
The way I think about it: if AI is going to give us more free time, why not enjoy that to pursue the things we've always wanted to try? If we get paid less for what was our primary source of income but have free time, we can also find a way of designing an income from something else we enjoy doing. We will have more time to create, which I feel is what humans are designed to do. More time for ourselves, more time to simply enjoy being human.
AI is a tool. Let tools do whatever repetitive, not-so-interesting tasks we previously had to do, and let us enjoy the extra free time we get from that. Whatever skills and knowledge we learnt before will stay with us, but we should focus on this new, maybe challenging and scary, opportunity — the chance to have more time to find ourselves. Because no matter how much AI evolves, "being human" — with intuition, creativity, emotional intelligence, the ability to feel deeply and to look for connection — I don't think that will ever be replaced by AI.
And in my humble opinion that no one asked for, hahah, I think that is something worth being excited for.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, Maria. Your reflections are great!
New technology could be a way to free up time, but so far - with every major shift - we haven't done that. Now it's up to us to shape the opportunity ahead.
Amazing article!
Thanks, Syl! And thanks for the feedback earlier!