As Machines Take Over, What’s Left for Us?

It's a done deal. The age of AI isn’t just arriving—it’s already here. Every day, a new article is published about machines that can write essays, diagnose diseases, code entire apps, and even create music or art. It’s not science fiction anymore; it’s reality. And as exciting as it is sometimes to imagine how this will make our lives easier, there's also a creeping fear that many of us are feeling—but maybe not talking about.

What will be left for humans to do?

We’ve built our societies around productivity—on what we can produce, how fast we can do it, and how perfectly we can repeat the same tasks over and over. But those are exactly the things machines are becoming better at. For many people, the fear isn't just about losing a job—it’s about losing a sense of usefulness, of worth. If a machine can do what you trained for, what your degree is in, what you built your identity around, what then?

I don't think this is paranoia—after all, it’s already happening. Customer service? Automated. Basic coding? Outsourced to AI. Writing content? Algorithms are doing that too- this very website offers it to me every time I write a blog. In response, companies are slashing teams and “streamlining” services. Some human roles are getting squeezed into more isolated, administrative, or machine-monitoring positions—hardly the engaging, purpose-driven work we crave.

Weirdly, even creative fields aren't safe. Machines can generate poems, illustrations, and music at the click of a button. It can feel like there’s nowhere left to run. When ChatGPT came out, my husband used it to write a poem for me after I'd had a hard day...and it was beautiful. Heart-felt, and touching, it still means a lot to me. But there’s something machines still can’t do well, and maybe never will: understand and truly connect with people.

We find ourselves in an era where emotional intelligence, flexibility, and deep, contextual critical thinking aren’t just valuable—they’re vital. Your ability to read a room, help a struggling co-worker, tell a compelling story, or build genuine trust in a client meeting are not just “soft skills.” These are now survival skills. They are our humanity, and our home-base for what makes us connect and feel.

We also need to rethink how we define success. It’s not going to be about what you know anymore—Google and AI have that covered. It’s about what you do with what you know, and how you relate to the people around you. It's also not about what you can produce- AI can now produce more than you ever could. Now, we have to re-focus on what can possibly fulfill us, give our lives meaning, and make us feel successful when in many ways we've made ourselves second-best.

So what can you do?

1. Invest in your human skills. Take courses, attend workshops, or read books on emotional intelligence, communication, collaboration, and leadership. These are not fluff—they are your edge and you will probably feel amazingly confident once you've mastered these skills.

2. Practice adaptability. The more flexible you can be, the more likely you’ll stay relevant. Be willing to pivot, learn new systems, and try roles that may not have existed five years ago. It might be scary, but if you're worried don't forget to use that worry to make a smart plan of attack!

3. Double down on connection. Cultivate strong relationships in your personal and professional life. Machines may be efficient, but they don’t build trust, empathy, or loyalty the way humans do. You'll always need this, and although AI can mimic empathy, it always lands with a tin-like hollowness that is anything but human.

4. Redefine your value. Instead of tying your self-worth to tasks or titles, shift your focus to impact. Ask yourself: How do I help people? How do I show up in ways a machine never could?

5. Advocate for policies that protect people. AI is here to stay, and in many ways that's probably a fairly good thing—but that doesn’t mean we can’t shape the way it’s used. Push for ethical guidelines when you can and a shift in how you value labor.

The age of AI doesn’t mean we become obsolete—but it does mean we do have to evolve. Not by trying to outpace machines, but by leaning into what makes us human. Start with your emotions, your connection, and your own personal purpose in life. And remember, we're all doing this for the first time, so be gentle with yourself as you navigate this brand-new world!