The opinion piece reflects on firsthand encounters with individuals whose jobs and skills have been impacted by AI automation, illustrating how technology is reshaping work and human identity. The author recounts meeting a multilingual immigrant translator and a young accounting graduate — both of whom struggled to find traditional work because AI now performs many routine professional tasks more cheaply and quickly. This personal framing underscores the broader societal shifts underway as machines take over functions once considered the domain of human expertise.
Despite these disruptions, the article acknowledges the real benefits of AI in areas like medicine, emergency translation and creative support for entrepreneurs. The author makes clear they are not opposed to technological progress, and they recognise that AI can save lives, improve efficiency and reduce costs. However, admiration for AI’s capabilities is tempered by a deeper questioning of what is lost when technology replaces human interaction and labour.
A central concern raised is the erosion of genuine human connection. As people increasingly interact through screens and AI interfaces, traditional face-to-face encounters risk becoming rarer. The article argues that empathy, nuanced understanding and shared presence cannot be replicated by algorithms. It draws on religious and ethical reflections — including Jewish teachings on human dignity — to emphasise that human worth comes from presence, relationship and compassion, not mere productivity or efficiency.
Ultimately, the piece calls for a balanced approach: using AI as a tool to augment human work without letting it redefine what it means to be human. Doctors should let AI help with diagnostics while maintaining compassionate patient interaction, and entrepreneurs should use AI for design while still cultivating creativity and trust. The author stresses that qualities like empathy, connection and moral engagement are uniquely human and must be preserved in the age of powerful AI systems.
