Are you building AI to work alongside people… or to quietly replace them?
One interesting thing I came across this week was that the CEO of Duolingo first declared intentions to use AI to replace contract workers in some positions. However, they later withdrew that comment, making it clear that AI will not replace its employees.
Ahh, this type of discrepancy appears to be happening more often, to be honest. The same thing happened to Klarna not long ago. That AI will take care of everything in one minute, and then, hold on: in reality, we still need human workers.
I would thus like to know what you think.
👉 Is your actual objective while creating or using AI to help people, making their tasks simpler, faster, and with greater quality?
👉 Or, even if that wasn't the initial plan, are we unintentionally approaching replacing them?
Personally, AI helps me with activities like content drafting and quick research in my own profession. It's really beneficial, but it also makes me think about what might happen in the future.
What about you? Where do you draw the line between automation that creates jobs and automation that does good? When leaders make audacious statements like "AI will take away jobs," how do you respond?
Let's talk about it....👇
Replies
I'm betting on a future where AI enhances humans and vice versa. So, no such thing as replacing...
@dg_ 100% agreed!
WinifyAI
Personally I think the whole point is to enhance or make humans more productive. Yes, a side-effect of this is that less humans can do the work of what once took many, but if you think of how the industrial revolution played out - that was a positive thing.
I think for now, AI still needs to be 'monitored', 'reviewed' or just 'delegated to' in existing workflows. Human-in-the-loop is still super important to make sure what the AI does is right.
minimalist phone: creating folders
Personally think they need to find some kind of synergy. Klarna had also cut off and then re-hired people back.
@busmark_w_nika You're right, there has to be a better balance. If companies keep flipping like this, it shows they’re not fully prepared for what AI actually means for their teams. ):
Cloudglue
I think anyone who's worked with AI properly knows that AI can't really replace people. It might be able to do 80% of the work, but the 20% missing is the bread and butter of work that AI can't replace without enough context or experience.
@matt_pua yeah right, but still people make those statements on that big level and then reverse ):
With AI powering things, we should be aspiring to make the world better at a faster pace.
So, reset the goals and move towards them at 10X speed.
And enjoy the ride.
That's the perspective I would adopt instead of the negativity being spread.
I am using AI and building using AI and loving it.
@manu_goel2 Yeah, things go side by side; it depends on how we use it :)
Thanks for bringing up this important conversation, Hamza. I believe the true power of AI lies in augmenting human capabilities rather than outright replacing people. When designed thoughtfully, AI can handle repetitive or mundane tasks, freeing up humans to focus on more creative, strategic, and interpersonal work that machines simply can’t replicate. That said, the transition can be challenging, and it’s crucial for leaders and organizations to prioritize reskilling and support for employees impacted by automation. Bold statements about AI “taking away jobs” can create fear, but I see it as an opportunity to rethink how work evolves and how we can collaborate with AI to build better, more fulfilling roles. Ultimately, transparency and a human-centered approach will be key to ensuring AI serves as a tool for empowerment, not displacement. Would love to hear how others are navigating this balance!