Will humanity become obsolete?*
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping economic sectors at a staggering rate. By the end of 2024, surveys showed that 30.1% of adults in the US had already used Generative AI at work – a figure that continues to grow at an unprecedented rate. Meanwhile, new breakthroughs emerge every month, with AI systems writing, programming and even performing complex diagnostic tasks once reserved for experienced specialists. Many fear that if technology evolves into Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) – machines capable of reasoning at or beyond the human level – millions of jobs could be automated. But will humanity become obsolete?
History suggests otherwise. Technologies initially seen as “job destroyers” have ended up creating new opportunities for those who have learned to adapt. According to the World Economic Forum’s “Future of Jobs” 2025 report, the global economy could see net job growth of 7% – the equivalent of 78 million new jobs – by 2030, even as 92 million current occupations disappear. These changes reinforce the vital importance of reskilling and lifelong learning. As routine tasks are automated, new roles are emerging in areas such as data analysis, AI-powered software development and human-machine collaboration.
In fact, humanity’s greatest asset in a world shaped by AI will probably lie in qualities that no algorithm will be able to fully replicate: empathy, creativity, leadership and a sense of ethics. Studies such as McKinsey’s show that workers are often more prepared for AI than their leaders think. However, only 1% of business executives believe that their organizations have already reached “maturity” in the adoption of AI, indicating a great deal of room for growth1. Instead of giving up our potential in favor of machine intelligence, we can channel it to our advantage. AI can serve as a partner that expands our reach and skills – what some experts call a “superagency” – allowing us to focus on strategic thinking, long-term vision and personal relationships.
To avoid becoming obsolete, it is imperative that workers proactively update their skills. Companies must invest in training programs that teach not only technical skills – such as “prompt engineering”, data analysis and software integration – but also strengthen the human abilities that make us irreplaceable. Teamwork, ethical decision-making and emotional intelligence cannot simply be automated. Governments, educational institutions and companies can work together to offer structured retraining, combining the development of new technological skills with the improvement of interpersonal skills.
The best optimists see AGI as a transformative wave, like the steam engine or electricity – disruptive, no doubt, but also empowering. By freeing us from repetitive and mundane tasks, AI systems give humans more room to explore, create and solve problems. Far from a narrative of mass unemployment, the future of work could be a process of meaningful reinvention. If we remain adaptable, encourage policies that support professional transitions and maintain ethical oversight of advanced technologies, the age of AI – and, one day, AGI – could elevate our human capacity rather than diminish it.
We are at a crossroads: let the fear of machines override our value, or invest in strategies and mindsets that keep us at the heart of innovation. The choice we make will dictate the future of employment, the way we work and the essence of our common future. Let’s commit to creating a workplace where people, empowered by AI, solve broader problems, drive new industries and keep the unique touch of human creativity alive.
