It's funny you mention the work-from-home COVID-era (was that really real???) thing. I was thinking about that as I finished writing this. A lot of companies suddenly realised that they could slash so much from their overheads and never went back, including the company I was working for at the time.

A year ago, I would have agreed with your take about switching back after mass AI adoption. However, I listen to far too many podcasts on AI effects as we move forward, and some of the recent iterations are mind-blowing.

Elon's Optimus, or similar-style robots will be implemented in factories in the coming weeks and months; I don't think 80% of manual workers will be back. Similarly, most office-style tasks will be farmed out, and I cannot imagine humans being in the same arena as them ever again.

In genuine human-facing roles, the best, most empathetic, skilled communicators and those with an exceptional level of customer service will become valuable, rightly so.

Investors, shareholders and capital expenditure departments will nudge companies toward that elimination you mention. I don't think we will go back, though. That is a disconcerting feeling!

Hope the weekend is treating you and yours well 😎