Lately, I catch myself worrying about my kids—and what kind of future will be waiting for them. If I’m honest, I sometimes worry about my own future too.
The playbook we grew up with was simple: work hard in school, get a degree, and the jobs will follow. But today, that playbook feels broken. Families in the U.S. spend $200K+ on education, only to see their kids graduate and struggle to find meaningful work. Layer on the speed of AI adoption, and it’s hard not to feel anxious about the job market—for both the next generation and today’s workforce.
History as a Teacher
But here’s what history teaches us: every era has faced disruption. Every era has feared the unknown. And yet, progress always found a way.
As a kid, I hated history almost as much as I hated vegetables. But on the back nine of my life, I’ve grown to appreciate both. Because when you trace the evolution of work, a clear story emerges:
The Evolution of Work
- 3500 BCE: The wheel shortens distances and expands trade.
- 1200 BCE: Metal tools multiply human strength and precision.
- 1700s: Steam engines turn factories and cities into powerhouses.
- 1600s–1900s: Calculators and adding machines pave the way for mainframes.
- 1970s–80s: Desktop computers put power on every desk.
- 1990s: The internet makes work borderless.
- 2010s–2020s: AI reshapes judgment, creativity, and possibility.
The Story of Work
From stone to steel, steam to silicon, and now algorithms to autonomy—the story of work is the story of humans learning to do more with less.
Yes, the pace of change is faster than ever. But if history is any guide, productivity gains should continue to improve living standards. Many millionaires—and even billionaires—will be created in this AI era.
A Hope for the Future
My hope? That progress doesn’t just enrich the few, but lifts us all.