AI could disrupt up to 300 million full-time jobs globally, particularly affecting knowledge and white-collar workers. They’re told to “adapt” but FOBO—Fear of Becoming Obsolete—is on the rise.

Many entry-level roles are disappearing as routine tasks are automated, making it harder for new professionals to gain experience and grow into more complex roles. Meanwhile, seasoned experts face a strange paradox: the more they automate, the more their hard-earned expertise risks being devalued under outdated compensation models.

As the structure of work shifts, so does the foundation of how people understand their place in the world. For decades, work has been a primary source of identity, purpose, and social connection. Adopting new technologies without reflecting on their human and relational consequences risks deepening an already growing meaning crisis—marked by rising rates of loneliness, burnout, and disconnection.

We urgently need to rethink how we define meaningful work, how we value human insight, and how we build systems that serve people—not just profit or efficiency.