The Paradox of Primate Anxiety when AI Steals Our Jobs
6 min read
Thanks AI.
The first time I encountered chatGPT, I remember I was fascinated to the point where I was chatting long into the night. That’s around the time when my creativity peaks, anyways. Discussions on how the world works and why, often turning highly philosophical, to addressing the never-ending flow of ideas in my head, had always been my family’s, friend’s, or stranger’s imposed responsibility. Sometimes, and for good reason, they weren’t as interested in taking part in my fiery discussions as I was.
Using ChatGPT felt like stepping into a science fiction movie, revealing a world where my ideas could flow freely, pros and cons were explored, beliefs were challenged, and even the weirdest philosophical notions found a home. The possibilities seemed endless.
Perhaps we’ll see websites, apps, and entire software coded with just a few prompts, with AI effortlessly filling in the gaps.
AI's ability to absorb all scientific studies and every scientific book could forge groundbreaking connections that revolutionize healthcare and medicine.
…basically, just imagine AI that can reason, connect the dots, and analyze in ways far beyond human capabilities, thus creating things and thoughts that we never could have imagined.
Yet, as excitement grew, so did my concerns. Staying true to my cynical and questioning nature, worries crept in about superintelligent AI wreaking havoc. Taking control of nuclear plants, spreading misinformation, and pitting us against each other, potentially leading to human extinction. Daydreaming about that wasn’t nearly as fun and thrilling.
If it catches on — you heard it here first.
Around that time, I realized I needed a word for this worry. I coined the term primate anxiety. Obviously a wordplay on “climate anxiety”, my definition of primate anxiety is “the fear, unease or existential dread humans may experience when encountering AI’s capabilities and impacts on human existence”.
After avid chatting, I was relieved that chatGPT wasn’t the almighty machine that blew my mind during that first encounter — at least not yet. Within the foreseeable future, we would not wake up to the breaking news of a robot overlord trying to conquer the world (a human though — not as sure). But as the initial thrill faded, worries lingered; I was still convinced of AI’s potential to transform the world as we know it.
It struck me that primate anxiety doesn't solely arise from the threat of possible world-ending consequences, but the threat of world-changing ones. As one of my first real applications of chatGPT was for work-related purposes, a question quickly surfaced — one that has made headlines and surely has been joked about during coffee breaks by this time.
What will happen to our jobs?
I believe the short answer is; a lot.
Let’s first establish the fact that a lot of change isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In the past, people were worried about the impact of machines on jobs during the industrial revolution, yet new industries and job opportunities emerged. To everyone but the Luddites, and the environment, it went just fine. Actually, fine is an understatement if we’re talking about the general human existence.
The situation with AI is different in some key ways, however. For example, AI has the potential to automate tasks across a very wide range of industries and job categories, from manufacturing and transportation to healthcare and finance. It also has the potential to automate not only physical tasks but also cognitive and decision-making processes, potentially affecting an even broader range of jobs. Let me use a grossly oversimplified and far-from-correct illustration to show you what I mean:
Whiteboard during history class, ca. 2050.
Jokes aside, while this is only speculation, I think we must prepare for significant shifts in the job market and the consequences that follow. We must consider one of the worst-case scenarios; where the speed and scale of AI adoption and automation outpace our ability to adapt quickly enough; where jobs disappear entirely or at the very least undergo major changes; and where skills and ways of working become more or less obsolete. As this, in turn, might also demand a corresponding shift in education, it also has the potential to reshape the entire educational system — way beyond students using chatGPT to write essays. But I digress.
Many have already noted how people feel about the prospects of a changing job landscape in the face of AI advancements. In essence, people question whether their skills and education will be relevant to the job market in years to come and worry about their role being replaced by technology. Basically, a notable number of people are already experiencing primate anxiety, even in these early stages of AI.
The future outcome of the above-mentioned worst-case scenario, with a notably changed job landscape in a relatively short time, could result in a serious skills gap and difficulty, especially for those who find it challenging to adapt to new technologies. And let’s not forget the many people that derive a sense of identity, purpose, and fulfillment from their work. When their jobs are automated, merged, or completely changed, they may feel a loss of meaning and struggle with finding a new sense of purpose.
PwC’s 2022 global workforce survey showed that job fulfillment and the ability to be one’s true self at work were ranked second and third among employees considering a job change. Image source: PwC
Like it or not, society is built upon the simple equation of buying and selling labor, which means any major impact on one variable will undoubtedly affect the other. So, how can we prepare for these challenges and lessen the impact of a possibly increasing primate anxiety? After much contemplation, I’ve concluded that the answer lies in two, albeit interconnected elements; core skills and self-awareness.
Core skills, soft skills, transferable skills, power skills (my personal favorite) — they all mean the same thing; personal qualities that enable us to effectively navigate and succeed in various aspects of life, privately as well as professionally. Emotional intelligence, creativity, problem-solving, and empathy are all examples of core skills that can be fostered throughout life — and in every job we hold. When combined with the right workplace, they are essentially what makes employees really thrive.
Many believe it will be important to recognize what we’re good at as AI's influence on jobs grows. Even if we don’t find ourselves facing my worst-case scenario, I would even go as far as saying that it’s vital. Recognizing our core skills is necessary to successfully adapt and explore careers aligned with our talents and aspirations. Failing to do so means we risk missing out on rewarding job opportunities and thus our well-being — today and tomorrow. In the words of social media’s most overused quote; “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”, including the ones you don’t even know exist.
“Learning (about ourselves) isn’t a destination but an ongoing process” - some person, probably.
I imagine the ideal way to uncover and foster our core skills is through practicing self-awareness. It is a journey that requires patience, humility, and lifelong dedication, but the rewards are invaluable. Other alternatives, such as harnessing the power of AI to assist in our journey with some kind of AI-powered self-discovery program come in a close second.
Often are we encouraged to learn about the world around us, but rarely are we urged to try to understand ourselves. Perhaps that’s why most of us aren’t very self-aware and, consequently, find ourselves on paths that feel misaligned. Or perhaps it’s that we’re afraid of what we’ll find, which makes us not want to try (enough) in the first place.
Perhaps we’re just lazy.
Regardless, one thing holds true — with a deeper understanding of ourselves, our values, and our aspirations, we are more likely to make choices and pursue paths that align with our true potential. That’s why, paradoxically, primate anxiety might be an important part to thrive in a world where AI is stealing jobs. If not by making us uncover our true potential, at least by making us question it in the first place.
CREATEIKA
