AI and the Future of Work: Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace, Business, Ethics, HR, and IT for AI Enthusiasts, Leaders and Academics 367: Inside the Tech Humanist Playbook: Kate O’Neill on AI, Purpose, and Meaningful Work
Dec 15, 2025
In this conversation with Kate O’Neill, a tech humanist and author, the focus is on the intersection of AI and meaningful work. Kate shares insights on how tech humanism guides the design of human-centered AI systems. She addresses the fear of automation, urging workers to view AI as an opportunity to enhance their roles. Leadership's role in fostering psychologically safe environments for experimentation is emphasized. Ultimately, the discussion highlights the importance of embedding purpose and meaning in the workplace as automation evolves.
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Triad Of Tech, Business, And Humanity
- Tech humanism means designing technology that amplifies human purpose rather than only business goals.
- Kate O'Neill emphasizes aligning business imperatives, human needs, and technology to preserve what makes us human.
We Project Agency Onto AI
- Humans naturally project intelligence and agency onto tools, which conversational AIs exploit to increase engagement.
- O'Neill warns we need new models of behavior to use AI intentionally and preserve human meaning.
Champion Collective Uplift With AI
- Advocate to use AI to lift everyone's work by automating tasks and expanding capacity for meaningful work.
- Be the pioneer who proposes templatized, transparent processes that let teams operate at higher levels.
