In a World of Bots, be Human

The Robot Paradox: Why Human Touch Matters More in the Age of Automation

Let’s talk about robots. I’m often teased about being Mr. Skynet because of my involvement with robots and my enthusiasm for generative AI. But I think this is a different take on robots. And I’m referring to all types of robots, the ones taking over our factories, our art studios, and even our kitchens. You’d think with all this automation, human skills would be going the way of the dodo. But here’s the kicker — they’re not. In fact, the more robots we have, the more valuable human touch seems to become.

Let me share an example I often use to illustrate this point.

Imagine passing by an art studio every day for a year. You see an artist pouring his heart and soul into his canvases. Weekends, late nights, doesn’t matter — he’s always there, brush in hand. You watch blank canvases slowly transform into vibrant masterpieces.

Now, picture the exhibition. One painting has a $12,000 price tag. Steep? Sure. But after witnessing the year-long journey that went into it, you get it. The price makes sense.

Contrast that with someone using AI to whip up a similar-looking piece in minutes, trying to sell it for the same price. Feels different, doesn’t it? That’s what economists call “labor illusion.” We value things more when we see or know the work that goes into them.

This isn’t just about art, though. I’ve seen this play out in industries across the board. I recently spoke at several community colleges about teaching automation to welding students. There were three types of schools: those leading in automation, those with some automation but not fully utilizing it, and those with none because their area didn’t have automation yet.

You know what I told the schools without automation? Become the trusted advisors for your region. Because if those industries are to survive, they’ll eventually need automation. And these schools could be prepared to advise and provide talent.

But here’s the thing — even as automation grows, skilled human welders are becoming more valuable, not less. The manufacturing industry is short 300k welders. So, robots are going to take the place of welders because we don’t produce enough welders.

But it doesn’t stop people from asking, what happens when the robots take over? My answer: It’s not about trying to beat the bots at their own game. It’s about doing what they can’t — being creative, adaptable, uniquely human.

So what does all this mean for education? For jobs? For our future?

We need to rethink how we’re preparing people for this new world. Sure, tech skills are important. But we can’t forget about creativity, critical thinking, and craftsmanship. The stuff that makes us human.

If you’re just starting out in your career, my advice would be this: don’t try to out-robot the robots. Instead, develop skills they can’t touch. Find your unique voice. Your style. Learn to connect with people in ways a machine never could.

We’re already seeing this play out in interesting ways. Take books, for example. Audiobooks are great for commutes, no doubt. But people are heading back to physical bookstores. They want to hold real books, join real book clubs, sip real coffee while they read. Heck, Barnes & Noble is even opening new stores — smaller, cozier ones. Because people crave that human experience.

I think we’ll see more of this trend. More appreciation for the human-made. The hand-crafted. The unique.

Don’t get me wrong — technology isn’t going anywhere. But ironically, it’s making human creativity and craftsmanship stand out even more. In a sea of machine-made sameness, the human touch becomes a beacon of uniqueness.

So here’s the bottom line: Automation isn’t killing craftsmanship. It’s giving us the opportunity to appreciate the craftsman. The future doesn’t belong to those who can outperform machines. It belongs to those who can offer what machines can’t — that unmistakable human touch. Creativity. Passion. The ability to connect and empathize.

In a world increasingly populated by robots, being unapologetically human is your greatest asset.