“We don’t have long to get ready. It’s going to be tumultuous. tech could replace nearly all human labour within 20 years and societies urgently need to prepare.” ~ J. Michael Dennis, ll.l., ll.m.

The global economy stands on the precipice of an unprecedented technological revolution, one that may render human labor obsolete within a generation. Current advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) suggest that nearly all forms of human employment could be displaced within the next two decades. The implications are profound: societies must urgently adapt to avoid systemic disruption.

The Inevitability of Automation

Historical precedents, such as the automobile replacing horse-drawn carriages or electricity supplanting gas lamps, demonstrate how technological innovation can rapidly dismantle established industries. Today, automation poses a similar existential threat to human labor. Across all sectors, machines are achieving parity with, or surpassing, human capabilities at a fraction of the cost. As cost-efficiency and performance continue to improve, the transition to automated labor will be not only inevitable but irreversible.

The Accelerating Pace of Disruption

Technological adoption follows a predictable trajectory: once a breakthrough secures even marginal market penetration, dominance is typically achieved within 15 to 20 years. AI and robotics are no exception. Humanoid robots, enhanced by increasingly sophisticated AI, will soon permeate every industry, rendering human workers noncompetitive. While certain niche roles reliant on uniquely human attributes may persist, they will be insufficient to sustain global employment for billions.

A Crossroads for Society

If managed effectively, this transition could herald an era of unprecedented abundance, liberating humanity from menial labor. However, mishandled, it risks exacerbating inequality and consolidating power within a technological oligarchy. The window for preparation is narrowing; the shift will be rapid and tumultuous. Some industries may experience a brief interregnum where humans and machines collaborate, but human labor will ultimately become redundant.

The Looming Challenge

Past predictions of a leisure society have proven premature, but the convergence of AI, robotics, and machine learning suggests that this time, the transformation is real. The critical question is no longer whether automation will dominate, but how societies will adapt. Policymakers, economists, and industry leaders must act decisively to mitigate disruption and ensure equitable outcomes.

The clock is ticking. The age of human labor is ending, and the time to prepare is now.

Michel Ouellette JMD, ll.l., ll.m.
Continuity Strategist

JMD Live ONLINE BUSINESS CONSULTING, a division of King Global Earth and Environmental Sciences Corporation

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Email: jmdlive@live.ca

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Michel Ouellette / J. Michael Dennis, is a Former Attorney, a Trial Scientist, a Crisis & Reputation Management Expert, a Public Affairs & Corporate Communications Specialist, a Warrior for Common Sense and Free Speech.