In the essay, the author argues that we are experiencing what he terms a “reverse industrial revolution.” Historically, technological progress freed human bodies from manual labor—from farms to factories, from factories to offices—but now artificial intelligence is moving into the realm of cognition, taking on reasoning, synthesis and judgment.
He observes that as AI begins to handle roles previously seen as “knowledge-work”—such as analysis, report generation and decision-making—it threatens to erode the training ground for future human experts. Entry- and mid-level jobs in law, finance and journalism are diminishing, which he calls the “Analyst’s Dilemma.” These are the jobs where humans once learned intuition, judgment and domain expertise.
Beyond jobs, the essay warns of a more subtle transformation: the mechanization of the mind. As humans increasingly rely on AI recommendations and outputs, there is a risk of intellectual atrophy—less curiosity, less critical thinking, and a shift toward machine-style modes of thought and communication. The author cites research suggesting that heavy users of AI tools begin to mimic AI’s tone, structure and phrasing.
In concluding, the piece urges us to preserve human thinking as a unique value. If we treat AI purely as a productivity machine, we may lose what it means to think, to learn, and to develop expertise. The challenge, he says, isn’t just to keep humans working—it’s to keep them thinking and growing amid the AI era.
