What Do We Do With the Time AI Gives Us?

There's this quote that's been on my mind lately. It's from Zack Kass; his job title on his website is AI futurist and former Head of Go-To-Market at OpenAI.

The quote that stood out for me was:

 "What will we do with ourselves when we're no longer defined by our work?"   

His point was that as AI continues to evolve, taking over the routine tasks we dread will challenge us to redefine our identities beyond our work. It's more about how we spend the time AI gives us back.

I mean, thanks for the existential crisis, Zack.

But the more I think about it, the more I think he has a point worth exploring. For most of us, work isn't just something we do to pay the bills. It's how we introduce ourselves at parties. It's where we spend most of our week. It's even how we justify our existence half the time.

So, what happens when AI starts automating all of the tasks that consume so much of our time every day? Taking care of the boring stuff, emails, admin, those soul-sucking reports.

Amazing, right?

In theory, this should free us up to focus on the fun, strategic stuff we actually like talking about.

But here's the thing I keep hearing: "Great! Now you can do more strategic work." More, more, more.

And that's why Zack's point keeps playing on my mind.

What if we don't do more?

What if we don't give this extra time back to work that's convinced us being busy is some kind of personality trait?

It got me thinking about a friend of mine who recently quit drinking, and it’s been fascinating to watch him figure out how to spend all the extra time he now has. He's diving headfirst into hobbies—jiu-jitsu, salsa dancing with his fiancée and the likes. It's inspiring, but it also makes me wonder: what happens if you don't know who you are outside of work?

What then?

This is where AI challenges me to think differently. Maybe it's not that it is just a tool; it's an invitation.

But what will I do when I am no longer defined by the grind?

Maybe the answer isn't to cram my days with hobbies or side hustles.

Maybe it's to just ask better questions.

So instead of "What should I do with my time?" but "What makes me feel alive, gives me joy?"

As Zack says, the real question isn't whether AI will disrupt our jobs. The question is whether we'll let it disrupt our lives in the best possible way.

And as I sit here wondering how I am going to fill those hours, I can't help but think: 

What does my life look like when I finally get to imagine it differently?