Technology advisor Monty McCoy argues that the urgent question about AI's rise is not job loss, but the human response to increased free time once automation handles routine tasks.
- AI will disrupt routine work but change will be uneven and unpredictable.
- Work currently provides structure and purpose beyond paychecks.
- Human agency and ownership over time and attention will be crucial.
What happened
Monty McCoy highlights that the anticipated shift to AI-powered automation will not follow a smooth, predictable path. Some AI technologies will advance rapidly, while others face delays or setbacks. Physical AI’s integration into environments beyond screens—such as factories, roads, and homes—adds layers of complexity and uncertainty to this transition.
As AI takes over repetitive and administrative tasks, it will remove much of what McCoy terms the “whirlwind” of work: the emails, meetings, and routine processes that currently shape people’s days. This will fundamentally alter how work provides daily structure, posing the question of what people will do with time no longer consumed by routine labor.
Why it matters
Work is more than just income for many people; it organizes time, creates obligations, and offers social and psychological engagement. The disappearance of these routine tasks risks creating a void in daily life. McCoy cautions that this void could be filled by distractions, outrage, and social division rather than opportunities for creativity, learning, or meaningful connection.
This challenge is deeply personal and societal. As automation reshapes labor markets, the focus shifts from fear of job loss to how individuals and communities redefine purpose and meaning. Without intentional development of new sources of fulfillment, the social fabric could fray as people struggle to adapt to the freedom and uncertainty created by AI.
What to watch next
One critical area to monitor is how individuals and societies exercise ownership and control over their time, attention, data, and skills in an AI-driven world. The convenience of handing over control to automated systems has been the norm, but as AI capabilities increase, questions of agency and autonomy become more urgent.
The potential for AI to enhance human independence—such as enabling senior mobility or removing physical limitations—is promising, but success will depend on whether people can consciously steer these changes toward deeper creativity, connection, and meaning. The evolving relationship between humans and machines will shape the cultural and economic landscape for decades to come.