The Future Job Market
The Self-Actualisation of the Citizenry
As we accelerate toward the future, everyday life is poised to undergo a seismic shift. We are due for an inevitable symbiosis with artificial intelligence, and the conventional concept of "employment" is being reimagined in the context of emerging technologies, social changes, and the proposal of new economic models.
The Ten-Tier System (TTS) imagines one future, where commercial and industrial ownership is shared by society, and individuals are incentivised by reward of generalised contribution rather than traditional wages. At the heart of this transformation lies the idea of the Integrated Digital Profile (IDP)—an intelligent synthesis of job history, qualifications, interests, aspirations, and personality traits—all integrated through advanced AI to curate jobs perfectly suited to each individual.
A Digital Symbiosis with Humanity
In this vision, we begin by examining the idea of work itself. With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, many jobs today will disappear—but this is not a cause for alarm. On the contrary, it's an opportunity for reinvention, and a necessary part of evolution.
Of course, automation and AI won’t replace all jobs. Many roles are deeply human and may resist technological encroachment, such as nurses, musicians, and hospitality positions like baristas and waiters. Certain “lifestyle jobs” could become highly valued not because they are difficult, but because they offer human connection and experience—elements that are irreplaceable. Even in an AI-driven world, people will seek out experiences that require the warmth and empathy of human beings. The machines may take over repetitive or predictable tasks, but that will free humanity to explore its creative, intellectual, and interpersonal potential.
AI, in its supporting role as a facilitator, can now help with guiding people through their education and into vocations that align with their personal goals and talents—much like an insightful mentor, or avuncular personal guide. Imagine your Integrated Digital Profile like a living CV—a constantly evolving virtual representation of who you are, equipped with not only your job history and qualifications but also an understanding of your personality type (perhaps using models like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) and even your deeper life aspirations. As jobs are increasingly tailored to individuals, AI can match you with roles based not only on your skill set but on what you want to achieve in life.
For example, if you're a creative thinker looking to make a meaningful social impact, AI could guide you toward industries where your talents in problem-solving and innovation will flourish. Conversely, if your objective is to maximise your learning potential, AI may recommend roles where you can constantly upskill, fuelling personal growth and societal benefit simultaneously. In this intelligent pairing and active development, there may be prioritised focus on what the individual will gain in terms of learning and upskilling, rather than on their immediate provision of work. As the system continues to refine, we are likely to see metrics of employee satisfaction and happiness as the primary guiding metrics that define a successful pairing.
But AI algorithms are only as good as the data they are trained on, and biased data could lead to biased outcomes in job recommendations, potentially perpetuating existing inequalities. It’s likely we would need to further explore measures to ensure fairness and prevent discrimination in AI-driven employment systems. As proposed in the functions of the Digital Democratic Platform (DDP), the citizenry can play an active part in tweaking and refining the algorithms if something is noticed to be unfair or imbalanced, leaving the ultimate authority in the hands of the masses.
The future job market is likely to rely heavily on these Integrated Digital Profiles (IDPs) and AI algorithms to guide individuals toward suitable jobs. However, this raises important questions about data privacy, consent, and the ethical use of personal information. As these are already issues that exist in the world today, the primary challenge might not be how we protect personal information, but rather how we extinguish the whimsical trading of personal information by privately owned conglomerates. Part of the added security in this upgraded system will take place as a cultural shift that comes with commercial ownership restructure. Simply, there will be less need and benefit in exploiting the system, even if it is possible. Biometrics are likely to be integral in the newer systems, making them more difficult to trick, with any exploitation more easily traced and undone.
A deeper exploration could be warranted, such as how these digital profiles could be protected from misuse, who controls access to them, and the potential for abuse. It might also be worthwhile to discuss the possible development of decentralised or blockchain-based identity systems to maintain security and transparency, although there are also benefits to a centralised system if such a model can be trusted. While this is a conversation we can pick up in other essays or even through the processes of development and implementation, it’s likely that the cultural evolution that comes with society will free us of typical corruptive practices and desires that exist in the world today. Big Brother can be a frightening notion regardless of whether or not you’re a law-abiding citizen, but we can always maintain parallel or traditional systems so that there is an alternative for people who desire to opt out of digital integration.
A Personalised Life Journey
Despite how it is implemented and protected, digital symbiosis could have profound benefits for the job market. No longer would people be relegated to a single career or specialty for life. With a greater understanding of one's evolving skills, interests, and personality traits, our societal model could encourage job diversification, actively suggesting that individuals explore different fields, all while maintaining a cohesive career narrative. This could lead to more robust intersections of expertise, where cross-disciplinary knowledge yields innovation and problem-solving at levels previously unseen. An architect might delve into environmental engineering, for example, combining fields to create more sustainable cities. A computer scientist could branch into neuroscience, blending disciplines to innovate in artificial intelligence and brain-computer interfaces. The possibilities are endless. Escaping from a world dominated by production lines and separatist philosophy, this integration could see an explosive cross-pollination across every field and discipline, with profound and unfathomable results.
As more jobs become increasingly automated, particularly in manufacturing, retail, and transportation, what does the future hold for those whose skill sets are rendered obsolete? The answer lies in the development of personal strengths and the capacity for individuals to contribute to society in unique ways. Guided personalised education systems will likely begin in childhood, helping students discover and nurture their innate gifts. By focusing on what individuals are passionate about, society can foster future citizens who are not merely cogs in a machine, but self-actualised individuals contributing to a community of peers.
Education itself would no longer be about standardisation and conformity. With AI-enhanced personalisation, the future of education would emphasise individuality over rote obedience to authority. Imagine a school system where instead of being told what to learn, children are guided based on their interests, strengths, and aspirations. A future artist might be steered toward the digital arts, encouraged to work with AI to create new forms of visual storytelling. A budding scientist could explore quantum physics from a young age, creating breakthrough discoveries later in life. In this world, learning isn’t about fitting into an existing job market, but evolving it.
The resulting society would have a surplus of well-rounded individuals, overqualified for simple jobs but better equipped for humanity's most pressing and profound challenges. As efficiency increases for maintaining society’s core functions, the balances of job type would be more likely to shift, bringing more specialised attention to areas that are causing harm through overextended efficiency, such as large-scale farming and mass schooling. This revolution in efficiency and freedom is unlikely to result in laziness; rather, horizons will expand to such a degree that humanity will be profoundly occupied with all its new endeavours, going through a rapid expansion of knowledge, technology, culture, infrastructure, and spirituality.
The New Face of Business
Another key aspect of this future is the proposal in the Ten-Tier System to restructure the ownership of commercial and industrial entities, where businesses are owned not by individuals but by society as a whole. Within this framework, workers are no longer “employees” but rather shareholders in the company. They are in part incentivised by ‘financial’ rewards from their overall contributions, quantified within the Contribution Index, which could measure factors of performance, innovation, and dedication both inside and outside of an official workspace. While this Index speaks of diversified income sources—a breadth of societal contribution that could extend to one’s efforts in their local community, or even democratic engagement—it’s still likely that for most people their primary income will come from a chosen career path.
Within a company or role of employment, this shareholder system means that an individual would likely not simply get an hourly wage, but in many cases would have their success tied to the success of the company, although it is sure that a variety of employment contracts and styles would still exist as they do today. This change of the status quo offers profound societal benefits. People are no longer working merely for a paycheque, but are directly invested in the success of their company, driving higher performance, innovation, and personal fulfillment.
As the job market continues to evolve, continuous learning will be a necessity. AI will aid in reskilling and upskilling workers to keep them relevant in their fields, perhaps even recommending specialised certifications and condensed qualifications rather than long-term degrees. The speed and efficiency of this learning system could unlock new careers in emerging fields like bioengineering, virtual reality, and quantum technologies. Likewise, space exploration and terraforming could become major industries, while the checks and balances of this digital democracy will ensure that society stays on a sustainable path. Ethics will be of major importance in moving forward with these technologies that could be so easily abused or mishandled.
In a future job market, the metrics of value for a job are likely to change as well. While technicality and requirement of depth of training is still likely to be a contributor to higher pay, the rewards for performing a job or a role in a business could be quantified by a number of variables that are consistent across the job market, like associated personal risks, perceived unpleasantness, or job rarity; it could also include factors specific to the job, such as hours worked, degree of responsibility, and personal achievement. If demand for a job goes down, the reward for taking that job in the job market could go up, thus maintaining equilibrium in the market and ensuring sufficient saturation of critical roles. Read more about this in the Contribution Index article.
The Activation of Work
As facilitated by the Contribution Index, the ability for the individual to diversify their life and income sources would be a profound and possibly core function of society. The popularised idea of ‘side hustles’ keeps life interesting, varied, and balanced, and could bring a more entrepreneurial feel to one’s existence should they have the intention.
Current trends show an explosive expansion and decentralisation of media, both as information (news & education) and entertainment. Anyone can be a teacher, entertainer, or talking head, which—despite the messiness of social media—is a profound part of a greater evolution. Much can be gained from this kind of content production and sharing, stepping into an era of a truly connected world. We have already come a long way from the dawn of YouTube in 2005. Systems are self-refining and in the process of finding a kind of economic equilibrium as the internet gets flooded with content. As this continues to evolve, the randomised, algorithm-based internet mayhem will further streamline for personal and societal benefit. In this, the advent of the Digital Democratic Platform (DDP) is likely to act both as a driving mechanism to conduct society, but also to make more sense of the infinite bird’s nest of overwhelming amounts of information. It’s currently impossible to have full confidence in authenticity and accuracy in internet materials; but as our digital systems mature, we will be sure to accompany this with better legislation, source tracking, and accountability over provisions of information.
Despite the diverse and attractive offerings and opportunities, society would not be set up to demand work from anyone. The established system would seek to enthuse people in various ways, with reward incentives such as increased finance or privileges of some kind, as well as fostering intrinsic motivation by supporting self-fulfilment and increasing self-value. A personalised AI ‘mentor’ could support life balance, leading to social benefits, physical benefits, mental health benefits, and even possibly advantages for democratic management of society. However, it’s important to remember that these are only optional facilitiations of a digital technology, and would not mandate participation or use.
The TTS has proposed a Dual Currency concept that includes a concept like Universal Basic Income (‘living credit’) as one of the two currencies that is offered equally, regardless of demographic or occupation, while the other currency (‘economic credit’) is earned through contributions to society such as registered work—explored in the aforementioned Contribution Index and Digitalisation of Money articles. With this as a universal safety net, people would be cared for as human beings first and foremost. But while they would be enabled to live an entirely inactive life should they choose to (without existing in poverty and physical malnourishment), there would be systemic encouragement to work or contribute, or even just self-improve (e.g. upskill, continue learning).
The ability to survive without contributing to society would not be encouragement to do nothing or be lazy, as some kind of contribution would be necessary to earn luxuries and certain privileges. It is expected, however, that people’s intrinsic drive to create, work, or contribute will be fostered by a healthier, happier society. When work represents joy and fulfilment rather than enslavement and drudgery, the human spirit is bound to be uplifted, activated at the prospect of meeting its full potential. The diversification of what counts as ‘contribution’ also takes pressure off the individual to find sustained, dedicated work, allowing for more compromise in how a person self-sustains or chooses to live their life.
The Profound Implications
It’s unpredictable exactly how the future will look and what trends will emerge. The world is already moving into an age of remote work, and is being facilitated by AI in novel, unforeseen ways. It’s inevitable that the future of work will involve a closer integration of humanity and digitalisation, and so it ought not be resisted but steered. While this may raise initial concerns about privacy, the information stored in our digital profiles will not be accessed or traded by humans without authorisation, but in most cases used solely by AI to help guide us toward a fulfilling and rewarding existence. As automation and AI improve efficiency and reliability, they will reduce the need for operational work, allowing more people to focus on creation, design, and more profound endeavours like environmental care, sustainability, literature, and societal beautification.
Imagine a world where the shackles of efficiency are broken, and the job market is no longer driven by profit margins, but by creative expression, intellectual curiosity, and the pursuit of meaning. In this future, the creative industries would blossom in ways unimaginable in today’s economy. No longer constrained by the need to perform repetitive, menial tasks, humanity would be free to engage in a renaissance of art, media, experimentation, and philosophy. Every person would have the opportunity to contribute to society not by mere labour but through their unique, creative spirit.
The Ten-Tier System could fundamentally alter how we view ownership and work, creating a society where the line between worker and entrepreneur blurs, and every individual has a stake in the success of the whole. As technology unlocks new possibilities, humanity will evolve into something more creative, innovative, and fulfilled. The future isn't about mere survival—it's about flourishing in a world where work is not a burden but a pathway to personal and collective growth.
A More Connected World
When creativity and exploration are at the forefront of our evolution, the very fabric of daily life would change. Freed from the constant pressure to perform for economic gain, people would have time to nurture deeper relationships with their families and communities. The burden of work would no longer be something that isolates us, but rather a platform for connection, self-expression, and societal contribution. Daily life would slow down, offering space for contemplation, artistic endeavors, and personal growth.
Families would rediscover rituals of togetherness: sharing stories from the immersive worlds they’ve explored, creating art together, and engaging in philosophical debates around the dinner table. Parents would no longer be defined by long hours away from home, but by the meaningful interactions they could share with their children as they co-create worlds, stories, and ideas together. These dynamics would foster a deeper sense of belonging, not only within the family but within the larger community.
With automation handling much of the labour that once consumed our days, the concepts of leisure and work would merge, blurring the distinction between them. People would work not because they had to, but because they wanted to—because it brought them fulfillment and purpose. In this society, fulfillment would come not from material gain, but from the joy of creating something new, from the knowledge that one’s work could inspire others, heal wounds, or change the world in some small but significant way.
Social interactions would be enriched by this shift as well. Communities might gather not just for festivals or markets, but for collaborative creative projects, whether that’s building communal art installations, planting bioengineered gardens, or orchestrating mass virtual performances that span the globe. These activities would foster a renewed sense of collective identity and shared purpose, reinforcing the bonds that hold society together.
Perhaps most importantly, this shift would usher in a new era of human happiness. No longer trapped in jobs that drain the spirit, people would be free to pursue their true passions, leading to deeper fulfillment. Studies in today’s world already suggest that the happiest individuals are those who engage in meaningful, creative activities, who feel that their contributions matter. In a society where creativity, innovation, and self-expression are the driving forces, we could expect a surge in overall well-being, as people align their work with their personal values and desires.
Freed from the grind of the 9-to-5, individuals would have the time and energy to explore new horizons, undertaking lifelong learning endeavours, and mastering multiple disciplines over the course of their lives. They could travel, create, collaborate, and explore without the constraints of time or resources that currently limit them.
This world is far from impossibility; it is very much achievable through an intelligent restructure, a redesign of industrial ownership and reimagining of government. The future is unimaginably brilliant and excitingly mysterious through what we know is possible. We can start on this path today.