I got a haircut this week.
But as I sat in the chair—I realized something: AI can’t give you a haircut.
Later that same day, my air conditioning gave out in the middle of a brutal heat wave. Within an hour, an HVAC technician showed up, tools in hand, crawling through attic ducts and condenser units. AI can’t do that either.
These two moments—one mundane, one urgent—brought into sharp focus a simple truth: in the rush toward automation, there are still entire worlds that require human hands, human presence, and human judgment.
The Invisible Backbone of Civilization
While we marvel at ChatGPT writing code or DALL·E generating art, there’s an entire class of work that is less visible—but absolutely vital. It’s the world of plumbers, electricians, HVAC techs, roofers, mechanics, builders, barbers, estheticians, line cooks, nurses, caregivers. The people who keep our homes comfortable, our machines running, and our bodies functioning.
This work doesn’t trend on Twitter. It doesn’t headline tech conferences. But when your toilet backs up or your power goes out, you’re not calling OpenAI—you’re calling Joe the plumber.
These professions—often underappreciated—don’t fear AI. Not because they’re resistant to change, but because they represent the kind of embodied intelligence that machines can’t replicate.
For the Next Generation: Careers that Are AI-Resilient
If you’re a young adult unsure about tech—or simply not wired for a desk-and-screen life—this moment is not a limitation. It’s an invitation.
Here’s what I’d tell any young person wondering about the future:
1. Learn a Trade, Master a Craft
Skilled trades are recession-resistant, AI-resilient, and increasingly lucrative. Electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and mechanics are aging out of the workforce, and demand is skyrocketing.
The modern tradesperson doesn’t just work with their hands—they work with diagnostic tools, apps, and advanced systems. It’s brains and brawn, upgraded.
2. Build a Service Business Around Trust
From hairstyling to dog training to appliance repair—these careers rely on trust, relationships, and reputation. Skills that AI can’t fake. And with the right tools (a good CRM, an Instagram page, a scheduling app), they scale better than ever.
3. Healthcare, Wellness, and Care Work
You can’t outsource empathy. As populations age, the need for nurses, therapists, and caregivers grows. These roles are hard, yes—but they’re also meaningful. And irreplaceable.
4. Teach, Mentor, Lead
Education—especially early childhood or special needs—is fundamentally human. The best teachers are part sage, part performer, and part counselor. AI can assist, but it will never replace the spark of a great mentor.
The Big Skill: Being Human in a Machine World
The point isn’t to resist technology—it’s to be augmented by it. Whether you’re a roofer using drones to inspect damage, a hairstylist booking through an app, or a plumber diagnosing issues via smart sensors—tech is a tool, not a replacement.
And in a world increasingly obsessed with algorithms, there’s something radical—and refreshing—about being grounded in the real.
So to the teenager trying to figure it all out: You don’t have to be in tech to have a future. But you do have to choose work that matters, do it with skill, and own your humanity as a competitive advantage.
Final Reflection
AI will reshape the world. But it won’t cut your hair. It won’t fix your furnace in a snowstorm. It won’t hold your hand when you’re scared at the dentist’s office.
The future doesn’t just need engineers. It needs electricians. And estheticians. And caregivers. And teachers.
We build the future with circuits and servers—but we still live in homes, cities, and bodies. And those need humans.
Every. Single. Day.
