Work as a Hobby...?

A little over a year ago, FuturePoint Digital published an article entitled, Dear AI, Where will the Humans Fit In,? followed by a second version of the article posted here. Both versions of the article contemplated a world without work, where AI produces all of the goods and services consumed by humankind. Our purpose in publishing a second version was to test how far generative AI had advanced in just one year when prompted to contemplate this topic.

In the initial version of the article, the older ChatGPT-3’s basic response was that in a world where AI produces all goods and services, humans would survive based on a Universal Basic Income scheme. However, when prompted further (usually about 12-15 prompts in) about where the tax base would come from in such a system, it eventually tipped its king and admitted that our system of exchange for goods and services would eventually have to be reimagined.

Flash forward just over a year later and OpenAI’s latest GPT version, ChatGPT- “O,” gets to this conclusion in just 1 or 2 carefully constructed prompts. It quickly “understands” that the concept of ownership and, therefore, sources of tax revenue, would be obsolete. In a world operated by Artificial General Intelligence (AGI; see the FuturePoint Digital article on this topic here) AI could harvest all raw materials, build anything (see our article on Robotics), provide any service required, equally and equitably administer governing policies, and self-maintain and fix, as needed, all AI systems—so, essentially, there would be no human ownership of AI systems—they could operate, in theory, autonomously.

ChatGPT-”O” also quickly suggests that the means of exchange for goods and services could be in the form of tokens, distributed and regulated by AI governing systems. Each human would receive an equal, yet finite set of tokens that could be exchanged based on needs and wants. A certain number of tokens could be mandated for basic necessities (e.g. food, housing, clothing), while the remainder could be earmarked for disposable exchanges (e.g., entertainment, travel, non-basic consumer goods and services, etc.).

The concept of a world without work, compliments of AGI, is certainly nothing new—it’s been contemplated for quite sometime. Nevertheless, technology leaders and others who often explore this concept, usually stop short of suggesting exactly how humans might survive in such a world. Sure, we won’t have to work, but what does that really mean for humans?

Last week, however, Elon Musk took a step closer to this vision, though he still avoided addressing the finer details. Speaking remotely at the Viva Tech event in Paris, France, Musk stated, “If you want to do a job that’s kind of like a hobby, you can do a job. But otherwise, AI and robots will provide any goods and services you want.”

Again, nothing new with this general notion, but Musk then introduced the concept of Universal High Income—a nuanced, yet perhaps critical advancement of Universal Basic Income. While he didn’t elaborate, it’s nevertheless an important distinction—essentially, it’s the idea of living well versus merely subsisting. But what exactly does living well look like for humans in such an arguably not-too-distant world?

If we assume (and admittedly, it’s a big assumption) that the system of exchange for all goods and services has somehow been ironed out—and that all humans have equal access to all of the wonderful things that any society has to offer, how will we address our other needs? How will humans find meaning, and therefore satisfaction and a sense of well-being in such a world?

If we think of Maslow’s famous hierarchy of needs, it might be easy to imagine how the bottom sections of the pyramid would be addressed (i.e., physiological and safety needs), but what about the higher order needs, such as belongingness and love, as well as esteem needs? Would the notion of self-actualization (i.e., achieving one’s full potential) even exist in such a world? Or might it be even more attainable?

Below, we take a look beyond the basic economic and materialistic needs and desires that an AI-driven world might one day provide for humans, and explore how some of our most basic psychological and sociological needs might be met.

Purpose and Identity in an AGI-Dominated Word

In a world where AI produces all goods and services, and traditional work becomes obsolete, the foundations of human purpose and identity would likely undergo a profound transformation. Historically, work has not only provided the means for survival but also shaped our identities, structured our days, and offered a sense of accomplishment and contribution. Without these traditional structures, humanity would need to seek new avenues for meaning and fulfillment. Some ways that this might be achieved could be:

A Re-evaluation of Hobbies and Interests: With work no longer a necessity, individuals could invest significant time and energy into hobbies and interests that were previously sidelined. Activities such as art, music, writing, gardening, and crafting could take center stage in people's lives, providing both personal satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment. The intrinsic joy derived from these pursuits could become a primary source of identity and self-worth.

More Community Involvement: The absence of work could lead to a resurgence in community involvement. People might find purpose in volunteering, participating in local governance, or engaging in community-building activities. The bonds formed through these interactions would help satisfy the human need for belongingness and love, as outlined in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Such involvement would foster a sense of collective identity and mutual support, reinforcing social cohesion.

Lifelong Learning: The concept of lifelong learning would gain unprecedented importance. Without the constraints of a traditional job, individuals could pursue education in diverse fields purely out of interest and passion. This continuous quest for knowledge would not only keep minds active and engaged but also allow for personal growth and the exploration of new facets of identity. Educational platforms, both virtual and physical, could become vibrant hubs of intellectual and creative exchange.

Personal Development: The focus on personal development could lead to a renaissance in self-improvement practices. People might engage more deeply with activities like meditation, physical fitness, and psychological self-care. The quest for self-actualization, achieving one's full potential, could become a central life pursuit. Individuals might strive to develop their talents and abilities to the fullest, driven by intrinsic motivation rather than external pressures.

A Redefinition of Success and Achievement: In this new paradigm, traditional metrics of success such as job titles, salaries, and professional accolades would lose their relevance. Success could be redefined in more personal and subjective terms, such as the mastery of a skill, the depth of personal relationships, or the impact one has on their community. Esteem needs would be fulfilled through the recognition and appreciation of these new forms of achievement.

Cultural and Artistic Flourishing: With AI taking over routine and labor-intensive tasks, human creativity could flourish. The arts might experience a golden age, with people dedicating themselves to creating, experiencing, and preserving beauty in all its forms. Cultural activities, performances, and artistic expressions would provide rich sources of meaning and identity, reflecting the diverse interests and talents of the populace.

Challenges and Adaptations: Despite these opportunities, the transition would not be without challenges. The initial loss of traditional work roles could lead to a crisis of identity and purpose for many. Psychological support systems would be crucial in helping individuals navigate this transition. Society would need to adapt its educational and social frameworks to support the development of new identities based on personal fulfillment rather than professional achievement.

In conclusion, the shift to a world without traditional work, facilitated by AI, could lead to a reimagining of purpose and identity. By placing greater value on hobbies, community involvement, lifelong learning, and personal development, humans could find new ways to derive meaning and fulfillment. This transformation, while challenging, might hold the potential for a richer, more varied human experience, where the pursuit of personal passions and communal bonds take precedence over the grind of daily labor.

About the Author: David Ragland is a former senior technology executive and an adjunct professor of management. He serves as a partner at FuturePoint Digital, a research-based AI consultancy specializing in strategy, advisory, and educational services for global clients. David earned his Doctorate in Business Administration from IE University in Madrid, Spain, and a Master of Science in Information and Telecommunications Systems from Johns Hopkins University. He also holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology from James Madison University and completed a certificate in Artificial Intelligence and Business Strategy at MIT. His research focuses on the intersection of emerging technology with organizational and societal dynamics.Thanks for reading FuturePoint Digital’s Blog! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.