It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, isn’t it? The news cycle around AI is a constant flood: a new LLM here, a groundbreaking agent there, another headline about the next big thing. It feels like everyone else is racing ahead, and we’re all just trying to keep from being left behind.

That feeling of AI FOMO, the fear of missing out on a technological shift that could redefine everything, is real and it’s valid.

But let’s pause for a second.

The thing is, the future isn’t a switch that gets flipped. There’s no single, dramatic day when AI suddenly “surpasses” human intelligence and everything changes overnight. This is a gradual process, more like a tide coming in than a tsunami. The breakthroughs we see are incredible, yes, but they’re also part of a much longer story of human progress. Just as past generations adapted to the printing press, the industrial revolution, and the internet, we’ll adapt to this.

So what happens when AI becomes smarter than us? The truth is, no one knows for sure. It’s the great unknown of our time. But instead of focusing on a potential doomsday scenario, let’s consider some more thoughtful possibilities.

Maybe the next human generation will be the first to truly partner with an intelligence far beyond our own. Imagine having a tool that can solve problems we can’t even comprehend, a collaborator that accelerates scientific discovery at a pace we can’t imagine. It could mean we finally cure diseases, unlock the secrets of the universe, and solve global crises that have plagued us for centuries.

The skills the upcoming generation will need may not be the same as ours. The value might shift from rote memorization and repetitive tasks to uniquely human traits like creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. The ability to navigate an ever-changing world, to lead with empathy, and to ask the right questions will be more valuable than ever.

The anxiety you feel is a sign that you’re paying attention. It’s a natural response to massive, unprecedented change. But instead of letting it paralyze you, let it fuel your curiosity. We’re living through one of the most exciting and uncertain periods in human history. We aren’t just observers; we’re participants.

The decisions we make now in how we develop, regulate, and integrate AI will shape what comes next. And that, in itself, is a powerful and hopeful thought.