Finding your dream job has never been easy.
When we add A.I. to the mix, it gets even harder.
Many people have suggested using the “Ikigai” framework. This article describes how you can use this idea to find fulfillment.
Consider what you love, what the world needs, what you are good at, and what you can be paid for. “Ikigai” lies at the center of these four intersecting domains.
It’s a great idea to consider what you love and what you are good at! Learning what the world needs is a bit tricky because it’s more of a moving target. Still, understanding these three domains is always worth your reflection.
In the age of A.I., we’re seeing fewer opportunities related to the domain of “what you can be paid for”. Most college degrees you can earn today do not provide a reliable pathway to building wealth.
Jobs like Nursing still require a human touch. Engineering and some Computer Science degrees are still useful in today’s job market. However, many entry-level jobs can already be handled entirely by A.I.
I am concerned about what happens when we cannot be paid for the contributions we consider most meaningful. There’s a part of me that wants to write non-fiction books. Unfortunately, most books written today are not being widely read.
I blame social media to a degree. Our attention spans have decreased as the availability of small dopamine hits has increased. Social media companies are rewarded based on the time users interact with online content. This incentive may increase “market share”. Unfortunately, it does not help us to really connect with the people we know.
I don’t have a compelling solution to this problem. And I’m not the only one! Loneliness is growing while in-person gatherings are shrinking.
A.I. cannot do everything that humans do; nevertheless, it’s getting VERY GOOD at doing many things we have previously considered “human”. A.I. can beat chess grandmasters and solve many “intractable” math problems. It’s only a matter of time before it can do even more!
Many of us want to make the world a better place. Is this possible in the age of A.I.? Absolutely! Humans still get to decide what’s important in our world.
I believe there will continue to be good opportunities for people who invest in doing work that they love. Having said that, if I were starting college today, I would prioritize fields that are known for having a “human touch”.
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