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    Human Purpose in the Super‑Automated Economy

    WWDN Insight Brief – Newsletter Edition, May 2025

    Prepared by: WhatWeDoNext (WWDN) Research Collective

    Executive Snapshot

    As advanced automation and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) expand across economic sectors, paid employment is no longer the default conduit for meaning and social contribution. This brief examines emerging frameworks for individual and collective purpose when routine and many creative tasks are performed by machines. It distils interdisciplinary scholarship, scenario analysis and early empirical signals to inform ongoing discussion among WWDN readers.

    1 Context: From Labour‑Centric Identity to Post‑Labour Pluralism

    Historically, the wage relationship has linked survival, status and societal contribution. National statistics, organisational structures and personal milestones (first job, promotion, retirement) reinforce a labour‑centred narrative of worth. When automation displaces large shares of cognitive and manual work, societies confront a two‑part challenge:

    Anthropology reminds us that human cultures long pre‑date labour markets. Subsistence farming, ritual artistry and communal governance offered purpose without formal wages. The super‑automated era may echo pre‑industrial pluralism, albeit with digital infrastructure rather than village commons.

    2 Five Dimensions of Human Purpose

    An extensive literature—from Maslow's hierarchy to Deci & Ryan's Self‑Determination Theory—identifies recurrent drivers of purposeful experience. WWDN summarises these into five overlapping dimensions:

    DimensionCore NeedIllustrative Modern Channels
    AgencyAutonomy, self‑directionPersonal learning pathways; citizen science platforms
    RelationshipBelonging, mutual recognitionLocal cooperatives; digital communities; inter‑generational mentoring
    MasterySkill development, challengeOpen‑source projects; craft and art residencies; competitive e‑sports
    ContributionPositive impact on others or environmentUrban biodiversity restoration; peer‑to‑peer care networks
    TranscendenceEngagement with ideals beyond the selfCultural heritage curation; climate stewardship initiatives

    Automation can support each dimension—e.g., by providing personalised tutoring for mastery—yet the human protagonism remains central.

    3 Glimpse of 2035: Portraits of Purpose

    The portraits below extrapolate from pilot programmes now operating in several UK regions and allied international initiatives. They illustrate how the productivity dividend released by super‑automation can be channelled into endeavours that deepen community resilience and individual flourishing.

    “The real promise of intelligent machines is not that they will work for us, but that they will buy us the time to become fully human.”— Field interview, WWDN Newcastle Purpose Pilot, March 2035

    These portraits converge on three themes: ecological restoration, cultural renewal and relational care. Each leverages automation to remove drudgery while amplifying human judgement, creativity and empathy.

    4 Institutional and Cultural Evolutions

    The transition to post‑labour purpose is shaped as much by social norms as by technology. Selected developments already observable or under active exploration include:

    5 Open Questions for Further Inquiry

    6 Conclusion

    Purpose is neither scarce nor solely mediated by paid employment. The super‑automated economy can unlock time and resources for diverse expressions of agency, creativity and care—provided that institutional frameworks and cultural narratives evolve in tandem. WWDN will continue to monitor pilots and emerging research to inform our community of practice.

    References

    1. Deci, E. & Ryan, R. (2000) “Self‑Determination Theory and the Facilitation of Intrinsic Motivation.” American Psychologist.
    2. OECD (2024) How's Life in the Digital Age? Indicators of Well‑Being in 38 Countries.
    3. Susskind, D. (2025) The End of Professions? AI and the Future of Expertise.
    4. Bletchley Declaration (UK Government, 2023) – Sections on societal impact.

    WhatWeDoNext (WWDN) is a non-partisan UK think tank analysing the social and economic implications of emerging technologies. Contact: insights@wwdn.org