What is your purpose in case you lose your job to AI? We’re getting mixed messages on whether AI takeover is actually affecting our chances of finding a job or not.
Some estimates show that artificial intelligence has taken over very few jobs despite all the recent fears. Instead, it’s rather seen as a job creator. But then there’s the other side of the argument, which says that even if businesses are slow in implementing AI, it is inevitable.
There’s even speculation on whether the recent mass layoffs were blamed on the AI even though artificial intelligence actually had nothing to do with them. We can argue about all of it, but we shouldn’t hide from the ultimate truth:
AI evolves every single day, and as it does it will take over a huge amount of our jobs in the near future. Why? Simply because capitalism requires maximised profits with minimal costs. Humans are an expensive resource whereas AI
- doesn’t need to sleep
- isn’t affected by feelings and emotions
- doesn’t have any biological limitations, like getting sick.
So, what the hell will we do when there are no more jobs to do (for a lot of us, that is)?? I attempt to conjure up some ideas, which will hopefully help some of us to find a new direction in life instead of chasing money.
Listen to this article on
AI Takeover – How To Cope Without a Purpose (= Job)?
We’ve all grown up in a system that requires us to centre work and money. I mean, what is your purpose if not working hard to make money to give it away for a house, a car, raising a family, etc? We’ve been brainwashed to think that our only purpose in life is to pay to exist. That doesn’t sound quite right, does it?
So, first we need to unlearn all of this extremely toxic propaganda and replace it with actual life values. Those life values, which shouldn’t revolve around an asset that doesn’t have any value, will be essential going forward. Many of you detest change, but in case it hasn’t become obvious yet, the world changes and you can’t do anything about it. You can only learn to cope with it.
And once the AI takeover starts to become reality for many us, here’s a rough idea of different alternatives for work for each of us to consider.
Alternative purposes instead of a job
- Lifelong Learning: There will always be industries that AI can’t manage because humans are fundamentally more complex beings: we can create new, AI can’t. So, explore fields that AI can’t manage, like the arts, culture, psychology, and innovation.
- Creative Expression: Following from that, now you can finally focus on personal interests such as art, music, and writing, blogging, which provide joy and a sense of real purpose.
- Volunteerism: When money isn’t an issue (once it’s no longer relevant to our survival) we can allocate time to community services in different fields, which means we can finally have a positive impact on society.
- Pursuit of Hobbies: Many of us have hobbies that we’d like to spend much more time on than what has been possible so far. Now is your chance to focus on skill-building in these areas!
- Physical and Mental Well-being: Fuck the rat race and the hustle, now we focus on Number One: ourselves. What is your purpose if not participating in fitness, mindfulness, and mental health practices to find a balance in life that you didn’t know was even possible.
- Social Connections: In case work took you away from friends and family, now it’s time to return to them. Focus on those most important relationships and create new ones through clubs, groups, or online communities. Don’t isolate yourself!
- Entrepreneurial Ventures: As AI takes over, we can explore opportunities for small businesses and personal projects that actually align with our passions and values.
Yes, I know you’re like “But how can I afford to stay alive?!” Well, that’s another thing with the AI takeover; our economic system will crash. Simply because AI doesn’t pay tax or buy anything. Find ideas for alternative economic systems here.
De-Centering Money = What is Your Purpose in Life Really?
Once work becomes something that we no longer need to bother with, we may feel a bit empty at first. What is your purpose without that fancy job title? Sure, it’s understandable to be confused since we’ve been programmed to think we’re only worth selling our time and energy.
In return we get a pittance and mental health issues. Can we really call that ‘purpose’, though? Sounds more like slavery to me…
So, as AI is taking over, we need to re-focus our lives completely. This can be hard for some of us and it’s okay! We’re only human, and being human means we react to change differently, sometimes both mentally and physically. Always ask for help when you feel you’re not be able to cope!
And then we can start refocusing our time and effort on other things. Things that should be much more worth our while than work ever was! Ways to enrich our quality of life rather than gifting it away to billionaires who don’t deserve it. What do you think about these?
1. Get involved in building a community
We may think we’ve evolved to a point where we’re starting to resemble robots, and sure, some of us do by now. But fundamentally we’re still the same as 100 000 years ago. We need a community to survive and thrive. Especially once the AI takeover leads to our economic systems collapsing, we will only survive if we stick together.
So, you should start considering what is your purpose by getting involved in building a community. You can start small focusing on friends and family: organise an event and ask them to invite their friends and family as well. Then you could start or join a community garden and expand to creating neighborhood art projects.
It doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive, all we need is an excuse to gather together. By strengthening community ties and promoting sustainable practices in our communities we cultivate a shared identity. And that’s how we’ll survive through any storm!
2. Creative projects bring a sense of fulfillment
Did you ever consider that creativity is a superpower that AI doesn’t have? It’s the one massive thing that separates us from machines and robots. And as such, it is an aspect of us all that we need to start nurturing if we want to survive.
Creativity encompasses everything in our lives: cooking, cleaning, writing, talking, you name it. It means that you can be creative in every aspect of your life! Capitalism has shunned culture and arts because their value can’t be measured in money. They’re literally priceless!
So, start or get involved in artist collectives, creative workshops, or producing cultural events involving singing, dancing, speaking, writing, etc. Even the sky isn’t a limit. It’s finally time to celebrate the beauty of human creativity!
3. New values = New life goals
Here’s the good news that many of you will discover, even if it will initially be a shock to the system: You are more than your job! So much more, in fact! Actually, a job is just a necessary evil you’ve had to waste your time and energy on, whether you liked to or not. Because work ≠ life.
So, now it’s time to reclaim – or claim for the first time – your own life. You can figure out what is your purpose by asking these questions:
- What is it that you actually want to achieve in your life?
- Is there something you’ve always wanted to do but don’t quite know how to approach it?
- What are your most outrageous, most high-flying hopes and dreams in this lifetime?
Contemplating those questions can give you the spark after the AI takeover. Powered by that spark, find classes, online courses, or start your own research projects. Dig deep and aim high!
This will be a unique opportunity for us to foster intellectual growth and satisfy curiosity about the world around us. Try new things, take risks, fail → learn → try again → succeed!
4. Get to know yourself better by exploring philosophy and spirituality
In a world where everything has been revolving around money for so long we’ve lost touch with ourselves and each other. AI taking over gives you a lovely opportunity to reverse that toxic development. The reason we don’t really know who we are anymore is fundamentally caused by us being completely separated from Mother Nature.
Sure, it may sound hippie. But the Nordic peoples are proof against any doubts on the importance of living in balance with the natural world around us. Don’t worry about not having a plot of woodland if you live in a metropoly. There are other ways to get started, find motivation and get inspired while wondering what is your purpose really.
For example, you could participate in discussion groups on ethics, philosophy, or spirituality. It doesn’t need to be complicated, small steps are still steps forward. While AI churns away we can engage with deeper questions about actual existence and one’s place in this world.
5. Healthy environment is the base of our survival
All of the above will inevitably make it clear even to the most stubborn of us that without clean nature, water and air, there are no humans. We exist 100% at the mercy of Mother Nature. Which many of us have witnessed first-hand but still try to ignore the fact.
When the AI takeover becomes reality, it doesn’t mean that our lives will end. Sure, those living in huge cities with no land worth cultivating will have a harder time to adjust.
But, for example, in Europe, Asia and Africa many will be able to adjust their way of life to ensure shelter, sustenance and community. Which are the base of any species’ survival. In fact, many of us will be surprised how easily we will adapt!
Of course, those who start adjusting before the crash will have it easier. So, volunteering for conservation projects, engaging in eco-friendly practices, or advocating for policy changes could be smart moves to make already today.
Final Thoughts on the AI Takeover
For a long time we’ve outsourced the responsibilities of ourselves and our lives to the welfare systems. While I hope those systems will survive, we need to start taking responsibility for our own lives again. Nobody has time or capability to look after anybody else but Number One in a world of chaos. Which is what follows any massive change, so now is the time to get clear on what is your purpose!
There’s no need to fret, though! By taking small steps already this week we can soften the blow at least on a personal level. Because the AI takeover is inevitable but it doesn’t have to have a negative impact on us. Quite the contrary, despite the horror stories and predictions full of doom, AI can finally free us!
