In the near future, no human—no matter how brilliant—will likely be the top expert in any field. Artificial intelligence is rapidly redefining what it means to be accomplished, and our children and grandchildren will grow up in a world where intelligence is no longer a uniquely human advantage. 

Writing in The Free Press, economist Tyler Cowen and Avital Balwit of Anthropic describe a looming identity crisis sparked by AI’s ascent. As machines outperform us in knowledge, strategy, and creation, the question becomes: How do we stay relevant?

Their answer: Double down on the things only humans can do.

Here’s how we adapt:

Get Your Hands Dirty. Carpenters, electricians, and tradespeople remain irreplaceable for now. Blue-collar work might evolve into a new status symbol of skill and independence.

Inspiration Will Still Matter. Coaches, speakers, and leaders who move people emotionally will continue to be essential. The ability to stir hearts isn’t something AI can fake.

Charisma Is Currency. People who can genuinely connect will stand out. In a world where machines are smart, being human will be rare.

Human-Only Spaces. Hobbies, art, relationships, and family—areas in which presence and emotion matter—will grow more valuable.

As AI surpasses human expertise, our relevance will depend on embracing uniquely human traits—like emotional connection, hands-on skills, and personal charisma—that machines can’t replicate.