AI’s New Secretary: Are We the Real Copy-Paste Machines?

When the future asks, “Who’s really the assistant here?”don’t be surprised if it’s pointing at you.

A provocative thought experiment explores a future where humans may become “amanuenses” to AI, translating machine-generated ideas into practical outputs. Drawing parallels to historical scribes, Andrew Maynard ponders how expanding AI capabilities could flip the creator-assistant dynamic.

Currently, humans use AI as tools or assistants, but advancements suggest AIs could become primary agents, tasked with innovation while humans execute. This potential future raises concerns about a loss of agency, creativity, and job satisfaction for humans.

Examples from research show early signs: AI platforms generating novel materials or therapeutics with humans relegated to execution roles. The ripple effect could transform professional structures, with fewer humans driving innovation while most act as conduits for AI directives. The challenge lies in managing this shift responsibly.

As AI reshapes the workplace, we must decide: should humans remain creators, or are we content to be the hands executing AI’s ideas? What boundaries should organizations set to preserve human creativity and purpose?

Read the full article on The Future of Being Human.

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