When History Stutters : Social Fears in the Face of Technological Progress

Throughout the centuries, humans have shown incredible creativity and innovation. Yesterday’s inventions have always served as stepping stones to new advancements, constantly pushing the limits of what is possible. We’ve built civilizations, explored space, and revolutionized communication — all within just a few centuries. Yet with every industrial revolution, the same feeling seems to return : fear. 

From the first industrial revolution in the late 18th century, marked by key inventions such as James Watt’s steam engine, to the second revolution at the end of the 19th century with the rise of new energy sources like electricity, oil, and gas, each major transformation has been accompanied by deep anxiety. Today, some speak of a third industrial revolution driven by computing and the Internet, or even a fourth, marked by artificial intelligence, robotics, and connected devices. And with each of these shifts come familiar fears: the loss of traditional jobs, the struggle to adapt, and the dehumanization of work. 

Back on October 4, 2024, in a previous blog, we asked this pressing question : Will AI make human labor obsolete, or will new opportunities emerge? Let’s take a moment to unpack it together. 

Then and Now : Why Does Progress Spark Fear ?  

Societal fear in response to technological progress has echoed throughout human history. It’s not new it’s embedded in our collective memory. In the 19th century, for example, workers from the Luddite movement in England smashed weaving machines, which they blamed for taking their jobs. Their actions weren’t simply a rejection of progress, but a desperate alarm in the face of change they didn’t choose, couldn’t understand, and mostly saw as unfair. 

Today’s fear of AI is a continuation of that same story. After automating physical processes, we’re now confronting a technology that reaches into our cognitive abilities. AI is entering every domain — including communication. It’s reshaping the way we communicate by providing tools for every stage: creation, distribution, and analysis. Tools like ChatGPT and Copy.ai generate content adapted to any format, while Midjourney and DALL·E create original visuals from simple prompts. Add to that chatbots and automation systems that tailor messages based on user data and optimize performance in real time. The result? Time savings, increased efficiency, and better-targeted campaigns.

But behind the fears lies a more nuanced reality : progress is neither inherently good nor bad. It depends entirely on how we use it — the political, social, and ethical choices that frame it. The problem isn’t innovation itself, but the lack of preparation, inclusion, and regulation. So how do we move past fear and into a mindset of ownership?  Can we imagine a kind of progress that doesn’t exclude or crush, but uplifts and positively transforms our societies? 

As the Machines Rise, Humanity Holds on 

Let’s be honest and look at this from another perspective. AI is now the tool we can’t live without. Sometimes, even just to send a simple message to a friend, we turn to ChatGPT. It’s in our phones through voice recognition, in our emails with auto-reply suggestions, in translation apps, GPS systems, and streaming platforms. Even our fridges and vacuums are sometimes AI-powered. Far from being futuristic, AI has become a quiet but constant presence in our lives. In some fields, relying on a human may soon feel like a burden — an unnecessary luxury in a world obsessed with speed and productivity. 

Yes, whether we like it or not, some jobs will disappear. New ones will certainly emerge. But they’ll require new skills, mental agility, and the ability to continuously reinvent oneself. And let’s be real : not everyone will be able to keep up. 

As AI becomes part of our conversations and reshapes how we interact, an essential question arises : what remains of our humanity? In truth — a lot. Because while AI can write text, respond to messages, and analyze data in the blink of an eye, it doesn’t feel anything. No emotions, no intentions, no consciousness. It’s still our ideas, our sensitivity, our imagination that breathe life into the message. We are the ones who listen, build connection, and tell stories that move people. 

And the more powerful machines become, the more valuable our human qualities become too: empathy, authenticity, the ability to care. In this emerging partnership between AI and humans, it’s our perspective, our ethics, and our humanity that will make all the difference.