In the 1980s, popular children's series depicted a future with machines easing human labor, yet today, technology and AI lead to increased productivity without reducing work hours. AI has replaced or enhanced roles across various industries, from transportation to creative tasks. Despite the advancements, anxiety levels are rising, as evidenced by increased antidepressant prescriptions. Factors contributing to this anxiety include negative global events, social injustice, and the lingering effects of the pandemic, suggesting a society pressured by rapid progress rather than improved quality of life.
AI is either partially replacing humans in a broad range of professions—from transportation to data management, marketing to creative writing, legal to music— or becoming a tool to augment efficiency.
Anxiety is characterized by a person trying to slow down symptoms such as a fast heartbeat or uncontrollable sweating. The state of panic, or peak anxiety, exhibits a faster pace of speech and agitation.
Statistics on antidepressant consumption confirm that we seem to be becoming more, not less, anxious. Factors contributing to this include negative news bombardment and regional wars.
While early expectations of technology included working less, the direction of AI's development is towards increased efficiency and productivity, not improved work-life quality.
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