Rethinking humanity's currency in the AI age

As technology continues to advance at an unprecedented rate, automation and artificial intelligence are rapidly transforming our world. While these innovations have brought about incredible improvements in efficiency and productivity, they have also sparked concerns about the future of work and the role of humans in an increasingly automated world. In light of these developments, it is time to shift our focus away from money as the primary currency and towards enlightenment.

In the past, the concept of enlightenment was associated mainly with spiritual or religious traditions. However, in recent years, there has been a growing recognition that enlightenment can also be understood in secular terms, as a state of consciousness that is characterized by wisdom, compassion, and a deep sense of connection to oneself, others, and the world around us. This shift in understanding has been driven by the realization that the traditional economic models based on growth and consumption are unsustainable and are leading to environmental degradation, social inequality, and human suffering.

One of the key challenges of the new era of automation and AI is the displacement of human workers by machines. This is not a new phenomenon, as the history of technological progress is marked by periods of job displacement and creation. However, what is different about the current wave of automation is the scope and speed of the changes, as well as the fact that many of the jobs that are being automated are not just low-skilled, routine tasks but also high-skilled, creative, and complex ones.

According to a report on Zippia.com, automation is expected to displace 20 million manufacturing jobs by 2030 and has the potential to eliminate 73 million US jobs by 2030, accounting for a staggering 46% of current jobs. There are currently 310,700 industrial robots in the US, and that number increases by at least 40,000 each year. While 25% of American jobs are highly susceptible to automation, 57 million jobs are classified as "low-risk." However, it is clear that almost every job will be affected by automation in some way. Estimates show that at least 50% of the work done by those without bachelor's degrees could be automated with existing technologies. Automation also has the potential to raise the United States' GDP by 5% within the next five years. However, the cost of employee labor has risen by over 200% since 1990, while the cost of robots has dropped by over 50%. Although automation is predicted to create 58 million new jobs, it is essential to focus on creating a more equitable and inclusive society that can accommodate the changes and disruptions caused by automation and AI. This requires a fundamental shift in our values and priorities, away from the pursuit of individual wealth and power and towards the common good and collective flourishing.

This raises the question of what kind of skills and values will be most valuable in the new economy. According to a report by the World Economic Forum, the top skills required in 2020 and beyond will include complex problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, people management, and emotional intelligence (World Economic Forum, 2020). These skills are not easily automated, as they involve the ability to work with ambiguity, uncertainty, and complexity, and to navigate the human dimensions of work and life.

In addition to skills, there is also a growing recognition of the importance of values such as sustainability, social justice, and community building in the new economy. The traditional economic models based on growth and consumption are no longer tenable, as they are leading to environmental degradation, social inequality, and human suffering. As economist Kate Raworth argues in her book Doughnut Economics, we need to shift from a model of growth at all costs to a model that balances the needs of the planet and the needs of the people (Raworth, 2017).

The concept of enlightenment is becoming increasingly relevant in this context, as it provides a vision of human flourishing that is based on wisdom, compassion, and interconnectedness rather than material accumulation and competition. In the words of the Buddhist monk and author Thich Nhat Hanh, "Enlightenment is not separate from daily life. It is not something that comes to us from outside. It is not something that we can achieve or possess. Enlightenment is the ground of our being. It is always there, waiting for us to recognize it" (Nhat Hanh, 2013).

One of the key aspects of enlightenment is the recognition of the interconnectedness of all things. This is not just a spiritual or philosophical idea but also a scientific one, as modern physics has shown that everything in the universe is interconnected and interdependent. As the physicist Fritjof Capra writes in his book The Web of Life, "The key property of a network is its pattern of connections, and it is this pattern that gives a system its characteristic properties and behaviours" (Capra, 1996). This insight has important implications for how we understand and approach the challenges of the new era of automation and AI.

One of the most pressing challenges of the new era is the need to create a more equitable and inclusive society that can accommodate the changes and disruptions caused by automation and AI. This requires a fundamental shift in our values and priorities, away from the pursuit of individual wealth and power and towards the common good and collective flourishing.

As Mahatma Gandhi once said, "The world has enough for everyone's need, but not enough for everyone's greed" (Gandhi, 1925). This is a powerful reminder that the pursuit of material wealth and consumption is not only unsustainable but also morally questionable. It is time to shift our focus towards a more enlightened vision of human flourishing that is based on compassion, wisdom, and interconnectedness.

This shift will require a new way of thinking about and valuing human labour and creativity. Instead of treating work as a commodity that can be bought and sold, we need to recognize the inherent dignity and value of all human beings and their contributions to society. This means valuing not just the tangible outputs of work, but also the intangible qualities such as creativity, empathy, and human connection that are essential for human flourishing.

It also means recognizing the value of non-work activities such as leisure, education, and community building that are essential for a healthy and vibrant society. As the philosopher Bertrand Russell once said, "The good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge" (Russell, 1930). This is a vision of human flourishing that is based on the pursuit of knowledge, creativity, and connection rather than the accumulation of wealth and power.

In conclusion, the new era of automation and AI presents both challenges and opportunities for human flourishing. In order to navigate this transition successfully, we need to shift our focus away from money as the primary currency and towards enlightenment. This means valuing and prioritizing the skills, values, and activities that are essential for human flourishing, such as creativity, empathy, sustainability, social justice, and community building. It also means recognizing the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of working towards the common good and collective flourishing. By embracing this vision, we can create a future that is more equitable, sustainable, and fulfilling for all.