A funny take, not a research paper, prediction, or thought experiment. Just a little fun with where our AI adventure seems to be heading.
For years, we were told that AI would liberate humanity.
Machines would do the boring stuff.
AI would do the laundry.
Humans would finally have time for the important things:
- Writing.
- Painting.
- Music.
- Thinking.
- Creativity.
It sounded wonderful.
Then something went slightly wrong.
AI started doing the creative stuff too.
AI writes.
AI paints.
AI composes music.
AI makes films.
AI writes code.
AI creates presentations.
AI even writes jokes.
Which leaves humans with some very important work.
Click.
AI: I have written the article.
Human: Click.
AI: I have created the image.
Human: Click.
AI: I have made three better versions.
Human: Click.
AI: Please select your preferred option.
Human: Click.
AI: Are you sure?
Human: Click.
AI: Please confirm you are human.
Human: Click.
And there we have it.
The final stage of human evolution.
Not artists.
Not writers.
Not thinkers.
Click Bots.
We once imagined humans would be freed from machines doing repetitive work.
Nobody imagined that the machines would do all the interesting work and leave us with the repetitive bits.
Perhaps our descendants will look back at us with great admiration.
They will study our ancient civilization and ask:
“What did humans actually do?”
The answer will be found in the archaeological record.
Millions of mice.
Billions of buttons.
And one enormous blue “Approve” button.
Humanity had finally achieved full automation.
Except for the clicking.