EPISODE · Nov 10, 2025 · 33 MIN
Post-Work Society: AI Automation, Human Purpose & "Automationism" - Landon Shumway | Ep 96
from The Iferia Techcast · host Ezekiel Iferia
What happens when AI eliminates human jobs? Landon Shumway, a software engineer and author of "We Can Be Perfect," dives into the profound implications of AI automation, from economic disruption to the very meaning of human purpose.As a builder who uses AI daily, Landon shares his firsthand experience with its transformative power and explores the concept of "automationism"—a radical new economic model for a post-work society. Discover how he co-wrote his novel with AI, maintaining a creative voice that avoids "AI slop" while exploring the potential for collective well-being. This episode offers practical advice for engineers and tech workers to future-proof their careers and for innovators to design products that distribute, rather than concentrate, the benefits of automation.In this episode, you’ll discover:· The specific technical experience that sparked the idea for "We Can Be Perfect."· How close we are to AI replacing entire departments and current AI capabilities.· A deep dive into "automationism" as a system architecture for a post-work society.· Landon's unique collaborative workflow for co-writing his novel with AI, maintaining soul and voice.· Practical advice for engineers to future-proof their careers beyond technical skills.· The most surprising reactions from technologists to his book's vision.· Humanity's biggest cultural challenge in adopting shared economic models.· Concrete ways innovators can design products to distribute automation's benefits.· What gives Landon the most hope for humanity's transition into an AI-dominated world.· Landon's personal definition of innovation: challenging the status quo for a better future.This is a vital conversation for anyone navigating the future of work, technology, and human potential.Connect With Landon Shumway:· Book: We Can Be Perfect, The Paradox of Progress https://www.amazon.com/We-Can-Be-Perfect-Automationist-ebook/dp/B0FKB3L4FK· Website: ttps://www.personaipublishing.com/Chapters:00:00 Welcome Landon Shumway: AI, Automation & Human Purpose00:59 Technical Work Sparking "We Can Be Perfect"06:22 Atomos & AI's Reality: How Close is Fictional Scenario?10:14 "Automationism" Explained: A Post-Work System Architecture13:47 Co-Writing with AI: Workflow & Maintaining Creative Soul16:54 Future-Proofing Careers for Engineers & Tech Workers20:24 Most Surprising Reaction from Technologists: The Sharing Challenge23:21 Designing Products for Distributed Automation Benefits26:19 Hope for Humanity's AI Transition: Compassion & Lowering Barriers29:42 Innovation Defined: Challenging the Status Quo for Change31:36 Connect with Landon Shumway & "We Can Be Perfect"
What this episode covers
What happens when AI eliminates human jobs? Landon Shumway, a software engineer and author of "We Can Be Perfect," dives into the profound implications of AI automation, from economic disruption to the very meaning of human purpose.As a builder who uses AI daily, Landon shares his firsthand experience with its transformative power and explores the concept of "automationism"—a radical new economic model for a post-work society. Discover how he co-wrote his novel with AI, maintaining a creative voice that avoids "AI slop" while exploring the potential for collective well-being. This episode offers practical advice for engineers and tech workers to future-proof their careers and for innovators to design products that distribute, rather than concentrate, the benefits of automation.In this episode, you’ll discover:· The specific technical experience that sparked the idea for "We Can Be Perfect."· How close we are to AI replacing entire departments and current AI capabilities.· A deep dive into "automationism" as a system architecture for a post-work society.· Landon's unique collaborative workflow for co-writing his novel with AI, maintaining soul and voice.· Practical advice for engineers to future-proof their careers beyond technical skills.· The most surprising reactions from technologists to his book's vision.· Humanity's biggest cultural challenge in adopting shared economic models.· Concrete ways innovators can design products to distribute automation's benefits.· What gives Landon the most hope for humanity's transition into an AI-dominated world.· Landon's personal definition of innovation: challenging the status quo for a better future.This is a vital conversation for anyone navigating the future of work, technology, and human potential.Connect With Landon Shumway:· Book: We Can Be Perfect, The Paradox of Progress https://www.amazon.com/We-Can-Be-Perfect-Automationist-ebook/dp/B0FKB3L4FK· Website: ttps://www.personaipublishing.com/Chapters:00:00 Welcome Landon Shumway: AI, Automation & Human Purpose00:59 Technical Work Sparking "We Can Be Perfect"06:22 Atomos & AI's Reality: How Close is Fictional Scenario?10:14 "Automationism" Explained: A Post-Work System Architecture13:47 Co-Writing with AI: Workflow & Maintaining Creative Soul16:54 Future-Proofing Careers for Engineers & Tech Workers20:24 Most Surprising Reaction from Technologists: The Sharing Challenge23:21 Designing Products for Distributed Automation Benefits26:19 Hope for Humanity's AI Transition: Compassion & Lowering Barriers29:42 Innovation Defined: Challenging the Status Quo for Change31:36 Connect with Landon Shumway & "We Can Be Perfect"
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Post-Work Society: AI Automation, Human Purpose & "Automationism" - Landon Shumway | Ep 96
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