Inner Cosmos with David Eagleman Ep132 "What will AI mean for the economy?" with Andrew Mayne
14 snips
Dec 1, 2025 
Andrew Mayne, a novelist, inventor, and former prompt engineer at OpenAI, explores the evolving role of humans in an AI-driven economy. He discusses how AI could redefine jobs, emphasizing the unique human qualities of trust and authenticity. Mayne highlights the shift from standardized roles to new types of work arising from technology. They also examine the impact of AI on fields like science and entertainment, arguing that personal stories and lived experiences will remain valuable. Finally, Mayne shares insights for students navigating the AI landscape.
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Economy As Social Brains
- Markets are agreements between nervous systems shaped by trust, storytelling, and reputation.
- Introducing AI as a new cognitive species changes task automation but not the social substrate of value.
The Plow That Created Careers
- The plow freed people from agriculture and enabled professions like teaching and governance.
- Andrew Mayne uses this to show past tech shifted labor rather than eliminating human purpose.
Black Box Jobs At Highest Risk
- Some roles are 'black box' jobs where inputs map to standardized outputs and identity doesn't matter.
- Those black box jobs are most vulnerable to rapid AI automation.
