Additional Coverage:
- Uber cofounder says human workers will be extremely ‘valuable’ until super AGI steps into the picture: ‘That’s my white pill’ (fortune.com)
Tech Titans Say AI Could Spark “Superhuman” Careers, Not Job Apocalypse
While the buzz around artificial intelligence often conjures images of job losses and widespread automation, some of the biggest names in tech are painting a remarkably optimistic picture. Forget the doomsday scenarios; these leaders believe AI isn’t just here to stay, it’s here to empower humans and usher in an era of unprecedented opportunity.
Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick, for instance, believes that far from making humans obsolete, AI will actually make us more valuable. Speaking on the TBPN podcast, Kalanick suggested that “until we get super [artificial general intelligence], humans are valuable.
And they are going to become more and more valuable, because they will be the long pole in the tent to progress.” He even used the example of plumbers: if every other job were automated, these essential workers would become “extremely valuable” due to their critical role in infrastructure development.
This sentiment is echoed by other industry giants. DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis envisions a “golden era” where AI creates “better” jobs and radically transforms society for the good.
In a 2025 interview with Wired, Hassabis predicted that within the next decade, AI could lead to cures for diseases, increased lifespans, and new energy sources, ultimately bringing about “maximum human flourishing” and allowing us to “travel to the stars and colonize the galaxy.” He sees AI as “incredible tools that supercharge our productivity and actually almost make us a little bit superhuman.”
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman shares this excitement, suggesting the coming decade could be the most thrilling in history for career starters. He, too, sees vast potential for new human roles, particularly in space exploration, with future “universe-explorers” earning hefty salaries and marveling at the “boring, old work” of today.
Nvidia leader Jensen Huang also champions the idea that AI will give workers “superhuman” skills. He told journalist Cleo Abram in a 2025 episode that being “surrounded by superhuman people and super intelligence” hasn’t made him feel unnecessary. Instead, he sees it as an opportunity for rapid innovation and collective advancement.
So, while concerns about AI’s impact on employment persist, these tech luminaries offer a compelling counter-narrative: one where AI serves as a powerful ally, elevating human potential and opening doors to a future far more exciting than we might imagine.