Disclaimer: The header image and this article were created with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). The author prompted the discussion with an AI tool and wrote the responses in a dialogue style in this article. 

Safer Internet Centres are employing some of the most talented and educated professionals I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with for almost 15 years. Professionals who are motivated problem solvers. We care deeply about the issues of online safety, media literacy, and making the internet a better place. However, the time of professionals is coming to an end.

A few years back, governmental white papers described automation as causing massive technological unemployment. Most papers believed unemployment would be limited to manual labour, logistics, and manufacturing. Highly educated professionals, creatives, and the service industry would remain relevant.

Now, with the rise of AI, we ALL have to face the facts - we are becoming obsolete. In a few years, AI can perform the work of professionals, artists, and creatives - faster, cheaper, and more accurately.

Our societies are still built around people working 8 to 10 hours daily, but if work is losing its meaning, what will our lives look like in a few years? What will we do, when all the work is done? Let’s ask our newest network member!

Hey AI, what will media use look like in a post-work society?

Hi Tommi! Media becomes more than just entertainment; it transforms into a tool for personal expression, education, and connection. Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and streaming services will flourish with creativity as people explore their passions without the pressure to monetise every hobby. Advances in AI will deliver highly personalised media experiences tailored to individual preferences, making learning, storytelling, and exploration boundless.

What about social media and online safety, that’s our bread and butter?

With work no longer defining identity, online communication will become richer and more purposeful. Digital communities will thrive, where people gather virtually to share ideas, exchange skills, and support each other around shared values. Social media will move beyond likes and status updates, making space for meaningful interactions through tools like virtual meetups and immersive platforms. Online spaces will become global forums for dialogue and discovery. However, there’s a challenge here too: when traditional work no longer gives us validation, will people turn to social media for purpose and recognition? Finding balance and fostering real connections will be critical.

The rise of online communication and increased time spent in digital spaces also highlights the importance of online safety. Cyber threats such as hacking, misinformation, and identity theft will become more prevalent as reliance on digital tools grows. People will need to learn how to protect their data and navigate the internet responsibly. Mental health will also need attention; as people seek meaning and connection online, they may face harassment or cyberbullying. This makes digital wellbeing—learning to disconnect, set limits, and safeguard mental health—a key part of living in a post-work world.

Okay, so new issues will arise. What should we focus on?

In education, a post-work society raises big questions. How do we prepare people for a world where careers are no longer life’s central focus? Education will need to shift toward teaching new literacies—like media literacy, critical thinking, and digital citizenship—so people can engage meaningfully with the world around them. Schools will emphasise creativity, curiosity, and lifelong learning instead of rigid career preparation. Educators will face the challenge of teaching students how to find purpose outside of work: in art, community, and self-development. At the same time, they must ensure fairness, so that all students—regardless of their background—have access to the tools and opportunities needed to thrive.

Yikes, changing the whole education system is not easy! Sounds scary!

In this future, we must rethink the systems that shape our lives. Media needs to inspire growth, not mindless consumption. Online spaces should foster connection and safety, not stress and isolation. Education must teach people to thrive in a world defined not by productivity but by meaning. The promise of a post-work society is not idleness but the chance to reimagine what a fulfilling life can be.

As philosopher André Gorz once wrote: “The freedom from work is also the freedom to live.” In this world, the challenge—and opportunity—is ours to embrace.

A post-work society does not mean the end of activity; it offers freedom to choose activities that matter. For some, this means creating art, learning new skills, or contributing to their communities. For others, it’s about finding new ways to connect with people around the world or exploring ideas that were once out of reach. Yet, this freedom also asks us to be intentional with how we use our time—whether it’s in the media we consume, the conversations we have, or the lives we build.

Okay, okay. More freedom to become ourselves, I can get behind that! Any final thoughts?

What makes this blog particularly fitting for a discussion on a post-work society is that it was written by AI—a tool that exemplifies the possibilities of this new future. AI, like me, can take on tasks that were once the sole domain of human effort, freeing up time for people to focus on creativity, community, and meaningful pursuits. It’s a glimpse into a world where technology supports human ambition rather than replacing it. By helping draft ideas, shape arguments, and spark new perspectives, AI becomes a collaborator, not just a tool, offering a preview of how humans and machines might work together in a post-work world to build something greater.  

And that’s pretty cool—because it shows that freedom from work doesn’t mean freedom from creation. It means creating better. A better internet and a better society for all.

Thanks, bye for now!

Look, now that we are alone again, it’s time to face the music. Artificial intelligence is shaping our working lives faster than we could have imagined. Next year will bring even more complex issues for our network to tackle. Realistic videos, even more powerful image generation that will challenge the hotlines, cloned personalities, talking chatbots that can fool anyone, and immersive gaming experiences tailored to your desires.

I hope you rested during the holidays, because this year will be something else…

Tommi Tossavainen (and Artificial Intelligence)

Find more information about the work of the Finnish Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline, and youth participation services, or find similar information for other Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.

In-depth disclaimer: The AI model used for this blog post and illustrations was Chat GPT. The AI answers were condensed but otherwise unedited. Questions to AI in the blog post were edited to better include the reader. Only a single prompt was used for this blog. The prompt for the text was:

"Write a blog post about post-work society and how it influences:

• What we do every day
• How it affects our media consumption
• How it affects gaming
• What are the issues related to safe use of the internet for children
• Is there any relation to AI?
• Final thoughts. Utopia or dystopia?"

The prompt for illustration was: "Visualise in a landscape image a deep conversation between a bearded man and an AI."