For 200+ Years, Capitalism Needed Humans

Greg Twemlow explores a critical shift in capitalism where artificial intelligence is rapidly eliminating the entry-level roles that historically served as practical apprenticeships for young people. He argues that while schools still provide academic foundations, the "conversion mechanism" into adulthood is breaking because AI now performs the foundational tasks where beginners once developed professional judgment and confidence. This transition creates a structural gap that leaves future graduates, such as the class of 2028, without a clear path to meaningful employment. Twemlow asserts that capital values efficiency over human development, meaning society cannot rely on market forces to protect the next generation's growth. To counter this, he calls for a new "formation plan" and an AI-Era Apprenticeship Guarantee that prioritises human mentorship and real-world problem-solving over mere technical literacy. Ultimately, the text warns that without deliberate social architecture, technology will dismantle the traditional bridge between education and a dignified adult life. Read the article.About the Author - Greg Twemlow writes and teaches at the intersection of technology, education, and human judgment. He works with educators and businesses to make AI explainable and assessable in classrooms and boardrooms — to ensure AI users show their process and own their decisions. His cognition protocol, the Context & Critique Rule™, is built on a three-step process: Evidence → Cognition → Discernment — a bridge from what’s scattered to what’s chosen. Context & Critique → Accountable AI™. © 2025 Greg Twemlow. “Context & Critique → Accountable AI” and “Context & Critique Rule” are unregistered trademarks (™).