Imagine life without the innovations that reshaped humanity’s most basic rhythms — electricity, transportation, communication technology, computers, the internet. Each one disrupted the world as we knew it, and each time, we adapted. New careers emerged. New industries were born. Entirely new ways of living took shape.

Now we stand at the edge of another transformation: AI. And the question becomes — how will we adapt this time?

Not long ago, most people worked close to where they lived. They saw each other at school events, local stores, banks, and community gatherings. Their wages and tax dollars stayed within their towns. My parents were part of that world. Their legacy was built through service to their rural community. They didn’t order groceries online or pay bills from a phone. Their friendships were rooted in childhood, college, and neighbors.  They’re no longer with us — and neither is the world they knew.

My life took a very different path from the ranch in Nebraska where I grew up. As an older Gen X professional, I’ve lived through recessions and the rise of a global, digital economy. Over the last 17 years, I had the privilege of helping transform a California‑based company into a global organization — launching more than 20 international entities and four global shared service centers. I’ve executed technology implementations, process redesigns, and innovations that reshaped how we delivered services. I worked remotely long before it was mainstream, traveled the world, and collaborated with teams across countless cultures. For years, I spent more time in airports and foreign offices than in my home in Colorado. Unlike my parents, my community became global. My friendships span continents. My time, energy, and wages have touched places far beyond my local zip code.

Our lives, our commerce, and our sense of “local” have changed forever. And now, like many thousands of others, I find myself recently laid off. 

 Did AI take my job? Not directly. 
Will AI shape my next chapter? Absolutely. 
Will our lives improve with thoughtful, responsible AI? I believe so.

It’s hard to imagine a future without it — just as it’s hard to imagine life without the innovations that came before. But like every major shift, adaptation takes time. My hope is that businesses and governments work together to create models that strengthen—not hollow out—our local communities and ensure that progress benefits more than just the elite few. We all have a role in shaping what comes next. And despite the uncertainty, I’m optimistic about the journey ahead.