My Warnings on AI and Automation: A History
For years, I’ve warned my friends and loved ones about the future of automation and artificial intelligence. I saw the rate of improvement, the exponential growth of capabilities, and the inevitable displacement of human labor. Many didn’t listen. Now, many have found themselves replaced, scrambling to adapt to a world they weren’t prepared for.
Here’s a brief history of my warnings on AI, documented in past vlogs and discussions.
2017: A Conversation with Gary Vaynerchuk
In 2017, I had a conversation with Gary Vaynerchuk about the rapid advancement of automation. We discussed how companies like UPS, American Express, and Uber were already automating jobs at a rate few anticipated. I expressed my frustration with people relying on political figures to secure their futures, rather than adapting and learning new skills. The market doesn’t care about nostalgia—it only rewards those who adjust.
Gary echoed my sentiments, pointing out that most people refuse to take personal responsibility for their careers. He emphasized that AI and automation wouldn’t just be small disruptions but a complete reshaping of the workforce. We talked about industries already facing shortages, like heavy machinery operations and automotive technicians, and how outdated perceptions kept people from filling these lucrative roles.
Unfortunately, my warnings went largely ignored.
2024: My Personal Experience with AI
Fast forward to 2024. AI has taken over vast portions of the workforce, and I hate to say it—I was right.
Even within my personal circle, I witnessed the impact. My ex-wife, a talented digital artist and content creator, lost her job to AI-generated art. I had warned her for over a decade that AI would disrupt her industry, but she didn’t believe me. Now, she’s back in school for psychology, forced to pivot away from her passion. AI creates art faster, cheaper, and often better than human artists, making many creative professions obsolete.
I have been working in automation since 2008, when I was hired by Talist. Even before that, I automated Linux and Windows servers, making processes more efficient and eliminating the need for multiple employees. At Talist, my automation replaced four workers. This isn’t speculation—it’s my direct experience with AI’s relentless efficiency.
Today, AI is expanding into every sector:
- Tesla’s Optimus Generation 3 Bot is set to take over domestic chores, deliveries, and even construction labor.
- Boston Dynamics’ Atlas Robot is already performing manual labor tasks like sheetrock installation and framing.
- McDonald’s in Philadelphia now operates a fully automated restaurant, where machines handle everything from food preparation to order fulfillment.
People aren’t listening, and soon, they’ll be left behind. This new Industrial Revolution is moving at an unprecedented pace, and those who fail to adapt will suffer. I tell people: learn automation, learn AI, or be replaced by it.
The Urgency of AI’s Acceleration
I started VeracityIntegrity.com, an AI company, because I understand the urgency. AI isn’t on the horizon—it’s already here. The ground floor for AI is long gone, just like the early days of Bitcoin. The opportunity to lead has passed; now, it’s about survival.
This revolution isn’t just about blue-collar jobs. White-collar professionals—lawyers, accountants, doctors—are already seeing AI encroach on their work. AI diagnoses diseases, drafts legal contracts, and automates financial analysis. Soon, the job market will be a caste system: those who control AI and those who are controlled by it.
Elon Musk has echoed these concerns. He has repeatedly warned that AI is growing faster than anyone anticipates, and that the consequences could be dire. In his own words:
“The danger of AI is much greater than the danger of nuclear warheads—by a lot.”
He has called for regulation, for a slowdown, but the momentum is unstoppable. Most so-called AI experts fail to grasp the true scale of the transformation. They underestimate AI’s potential, dismissing concerns as paranoia. But Musk, like me, understands that AI is improving at an exponential rate. The intelligence gap between AI and humans will widen faster than anyone expects.
We are, in effect, the biological bootloaders for AI—building it, training it, and soon, becoming obsolete in comparison.
The Need for Urgent Action
AI will reshape everything: the economy, labor, society itself. Regulations will come too late, just as they did with seatbelt laws, environmental protections, and countless other technological advancements. By the time policymakers react, the damage will be irreversible.
What can you do? Learn AI. Learn automation. If you’re waiting for governments or corporations to “save” your job, you’re already lost. The only way to stay ahead is to embrace the change before it consumes you.
Mark my words: AI is the greatest disruptor in human history. Adapt now, or be left behind.
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