What to Do to Thrive in the AI Era

05 Mar 2026 #misc

Whether you see it as a tool or a breakthrough, AI is changing jobs.

Translators are panicking. Some coders brag about “coding” from their phones. Every new tool and model fuels AI FOMO.

Real numbers about AI adoption tell one story. CEOs tell another. Maybe we’re all doomed. Predictions are hard. I hope I wasn’t wrong with mine.

Here are 2 ideas about how to AI-proof yourself:

#1. Learn to learn

From 21 Lessons for the 21st Century, the only skill to learn is the ability to learn new things.

The only certain thing is change. And being able to adapt is crucial. Pick new skills you enjoy. Bonus points if they earn money.

#2. Literacy and health

Papyrus made me think about the future.

It’s a book about the invention of books in the ancient world. But the past teaches us about the future.

In ancient Greece, free men learned to read, talk, and think, and took care of their bodies. Manual labor was for slaves. Of course, that wasn’t a good thing.

If AI takes over repetitive work, as slaves once did in ancient Greece, we’ll be like free to focus on creativity and growth.

Maybe AI will kill most knowledge jobs, because it thrives on tasks humans do and hiring people may no longer make economic sense.

Until then, while waiting for universal basic income or or something darker, I’m doubling down on writing and chasing my curiosity—simply because I enjoy it.