February 09, 2024

Modern Luddites

“Some people worry that artificial intelligence will make us feel inferior, but then, anybody in his right mind should have an inferiority complex every time he looks at a flower.”
― Alan Kay

Once upon a time, assembly language programmers feared Fortran. Then Fortran programmers feared C. Then C programmers feared Java and Ruby. (Nobody feared BASIC or PHP programmers.)

In each case, the best of the best kept their jobs because the old tech didn’t just disappear. Those who adapted found new jobs because the new innovations drove demand through the roof. The rest became “back in my day” curmudgeons.

Now we face modern innovations like no-code platforms and artificial intelligence (AI). Once again, many people are worried about job security. However, history has shown that every technological shift brings new opportunities.

So, become exceptional in your core skills. Develop fundamentals that transcend the era, like leadership and communication. Learn to adapt and adapt to learn. Move forward and embrace change.