The deeper I go into the world of language models (LLMs), the more one idea keeps going around in my head.
I've been working as a designer for more than 17 years.
And like many creatives, I've had to reinvent myself over and over, learn new tools, adapt to new technologies and make my way in an industry that changes constantly.
Since the beginning of this year, for the first time in my life, I'm on the other side. I'm helping to design and build digital products powered by artificial intelligence.
And that has led me to an uncomfortable question:
Are we building technology to make people more capable... or simply to need fewer people?
Lately I hear one phrase a lot, or some variation of it:
“AI won't replace people. People who know how to use AI will replace them.”
I understand the intention... And in fact, until recently I thought something similar.
But the more I work in this world, the more I feel we keep optimizing for exactly the same things:
- More speed. - More productivity. - Fewer people.
We only change who survives.
We keep talking about efficiency, and very little about human development.
And I'm not sure that should be our goal.
The potential of artificial intelligence excites me deeply.
I use it every day.
I don't want a world without AI.
What I want is a world where AI doesn't only make us more efficient, but also better human beings.
That helps us think better. Learn faster. Develop new skills. Improve our health. Create more. Solve problems that used to look impossible.
Not only produce more with fewer people.
Maybe the question isn't “what jobs can AI replace?”
But “what human capabilities should it help us develop?”
I don't have the answer... And honestly, I don't know what the future will look like either.
What I do know is that I want to spend the coming years of my life building things that help people grow, not only produce more.
I want to be part of a future where artificial intelligence doesn't make humanity less necessary, but more capable.
Because in the end, I believe the real advance won't be building the most intelligent AI.
It will be building tools that help us become more intelligent, freer, more creative and more human.
And if I can contribute even a small part to building that future, I think it will have been worth it.