Human Work in the Age of Smart Machines

by Jamie Merisotis

We are living through a time of upheaval and social unrest, with increasing threats to global health, democratic institutions, and the world’s economies. But behind the alarming headlines is another issue that must be quickly addressed: the role of workers is being transformed—and often rendered obsolete—by automation and artificial intelligence.

As Jamie Merisotis, the president and CEO of Lumina Foundation, argues in Human Work In the Age of Smart Machines, we can—and must—rise to this challenge by preparing to work alongside smart machines doing that which only humans can: thinking critically, reasoning ethically, interacting interpersonally, and serving others with empathy.

In Human Work, Merisotis, author of the award-winning 2015 book America Needs Talent, offers a roadmap for the large-scale, radical changes we must make in order to find abundant and meaningful work in the 21st century. His vision centers on developing our unique capabilities as humans through a lifetime of learning opportunities that are easy to navigate, deliver fair results, and offer a broad range of credentials—from college degrees to occupational certifications. By shifting long-held ideas about how the workforce should function and expanding our concept of work, he argues that we can harness the population’s potential, encourage a deeper sense of community, and erase a centuries-long system of inequality.

As the headlines blink red, now is the time to redesign education, training, and the workplace as a whole. Yes, many jobs will be lost to technology, but if we promote people’s deeper potential, engaging human work will always be available.

Genres: Business, Technology, Nonfiction, Economics, Audiobook

216 pages, Paperback

Published December 28, 2021

About the author

Jamie Merisotis is a globally recognized leader in philanthropy, education, and public policy. Since 2008, he has served as president and CEO of Lumina Foundation, an independent, private foundation that is committed to making opportunities for learning beyond high school available to all. He previously served as co-founder and president of the nonpartisan, Washington, D.C.-based Institute for Higher Education Policy and as executive director of a bipartisan national commission on college affordability appointed by the U.S. president and congressional leaders. Merisotis is the author of America Needs Talent, which was named a Top 10 Business Book of 2016 by Booklist, a publication of the American Library Association.

Merisotis is a frequent media commentator and contributor. His writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, National Journal, Stanford Social Innovation Review, Politico, Roll Call, Washington Monthly, and other publications.

His work includes experience as an adviser and consultant in southern Africa, the former Soviet Union, Europe, and other parts of the world. A respected analyst and innovator, Merisotis is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. Merisotis serves as chairman of the Council on Foundations in Washington, D.C., and past chairman of The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, the world's largest museum for children. He also serves on the boards of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership and the United Kingdom-based European Access Network. He lives with his wife Colleen O'Brien and their children, Benjamin and Elizabeth, in Indianapolis.

For more information, visit https://www.jamiemerisotis.com/

Reviews

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since prevalent use of AI, the work environment has shifted in many ways:

1. Jobs that involve simple, repetitive tasks are replaced with smart machinery.

2. Opportunities for higher learning are ample and available when taken advantage of.

3. Its no longer about just performing the job. Soft skills matter alot.

The book discusses alot more than the 3 points.

I liked how the author addresses how work environment has changed and shares flaws in our system, yet benefits from the transition!

[Hannah Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers a cautiously optimistic view of how AI may shape workforce development in the future. It certainly discusses drawbacks to AI and how it could negatively affect equity and how it limits our world view by filtering our web results to cater to our already-held beliefs. On the other hand, it discusses how automating repetitive tasks will free us to explore creative thinking, or protect us from work-related injuries. The book is not prescriptive, it doesn't call out specific industries and predict their demise. Instead, it encourages readers to analyze their skills and talents and focus on the human qualities that make them an asset. Although this may sound very general, it is definitely thought-provoking and helps you look at the bigger picture of how society may be impacted, rather than focus solely on how it could affect you.

[Atly · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Human Work: In the Age of Smart Machines" is an informative read that dives into our preconceived notions of work previously, today and the future of work. As technology, artificial intelligence, and robots develop further, our notions of work need to evolve with the times, in order to redefine the Work of the future, not the future of work. Jamie Merisotis takes us through our past mindset, pushing us to understand the evolution and potential of the Work of the Future through key evidence expressed step-by-step in his book. From education, economic background, technology, and more, the experiences of essential workers help to provide insight into what is truly human work, and how we can focus on the new industrial revolution. It involves Human Work, that only humans can do.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this as a Goodreads Giveaway.

The author provides an interesting outlook on the future of work, the various challenges facing the U.S. in preparing for such future, and some potential solutions that could be implemented today. I found his assessment of the impact of AI on the workplace to be rather refreshing. Instead of the constant fearmongering that is usually associated, he acknowledged that there will be some jobs affected more that others, and that what we do as a nation can go a long way toward mitigating such impacts for those workers disproportionately affected.

Overall, I recommend this book for anyone interested in how the future of work will likely be shaped by our current policies.

[Cody Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a solid read. I think the author gives a well thought out conversation about the future of work in the near future. I think the answer may contain some elements laid out in this book but the solution it tries to give is a non solution. People are not able to transition from career to career without massive costs to themselves even if the cert is paid for.

How many people can really get fired tomorrow, and have enough money to research their next career, apply for programs, and then go for minimum wage during training (if they had a certified career i am guessing they made more than minimum and rent/mortgage based on previous pay). Again i think its worth a read but i think the author is way tooooooo "optimistic" about what the future of work will be

[Jezzeri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jobs consistently entirely or almost entirely of repetitive tasks are at highest risk of elimination. Human work is the work that won't go away--the work only people can do. Human work involves creativity and innovation. Holding a good job or at least being able to find good work has become linked to well-being and the quality of life. Paid work is an expression of position in the world, identity, and sense of self-worth. Human work is about meaning and opportunity and is core to our existence. Human work draws upon people skills, problem-solving skills, and integrative skills (integrate learning with what we already know and can do). We must build a new learning syste in which education and work are integrated in ways that offer everyone the opportunity to fully develop their talents.

[Kevin Corcoran · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of what I've read about the robots "taking over" has been disheartening, but this book talks about what all of us can do to prepare ourselves. In many cases, automation, AI, and robotics will some jobs to go away to be replaced by even better jobs. The author suggests we should embrace and develop that which makes us uniquely human to prepare for a future of working alongside smart machines. He also talks about the consequences if we don't. I think he's onto something here.

[Kristin Flora · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read for anyone in higher education, this book focuses not on how AI will take over the workforce and displace workers, but instead on the unique value that human work has in the workforce of the future. With good ideas about directions that colleges and employers need to go to build our talent pool, this book definitely got me thinking. Not a policy book, but instead heavily relies on anecdotes and case studies to drive home its main tenets, which makes it an accessible read.

[Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and optimistic perspectives on the future of work in the age of machines. The approach is quite broad but this gave me a new viewpoint on a topic that can be frightening. Yes the machines and algorithms will take many of our current jobs, but they should also generate a lot of new opportunities if we can adapt with a bit of ‘future proofing’.

[Patrick Fassnacht · Rating 2 out of 5]

struggling here on this one. good focus and initial assertions... but seems a bit repetitive and general. not grabbing me like some people suggesting it to me. seems a bit thin and straight-forward in its take. will continue pushing through... at some point... hoping for more. nothing really new to me yet, i guess.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provides goals to strive towards in our changing society. An interesting read that helped to challenge some of my own thoughts about the world and the future.

[Alex A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great work by Jamie!

The book instilled hope and confidence as well as thoughts, ideas, and strategies on how to approach the age of machines as a professional as well as a parent.

[Becky · Rating 1 out of 5]

All that was said can be said in way less words. Consider reading just the last chapter.

[Chad King]

This book goes down an interesting line of thought and shows areas where humans will be needed as machines continue to fill more roles in our lives.

[Derek · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit boring but covers the waterfront when it comes to trends in both work and education.