What can history tell us about AI?

As the AI era unfolds around us, historians reflect on lessons learned from the rollout of the internet and other technological revolutions.

In an essay posted to X on February 10, artificial intelligence entrepreneur Matt Shumer put it bluntly: “I am no longer needed for the actual technical work of my job.”

Shumer’s words, which have racked up 86 million views to date, rattled the nerves of an already-rattled public—and fueled fear for what the future may hold as ...