As the world shifts into an era of advanced technology and automation, the relationship between
humans and machines has become integral to the job market.

The "Future of Jobs Report 2025" by the World Economic Forum outlines this transformation,
forecasting significant shifts in job creation, displacement, and the skills required for future jobs.

Amid these changes, Nietzsche’s concept of the “Superman” (“Übermensch”), introduced in Thus
Spoke Zarathustra, offers insights into how we can thrive by transcending conventional values and
embracing self-overcoming in a technology-driven era.

A Shifting Human-Machine Frontier

The report predicts a transformation affecting 22% of today’s formal jobs by 2030, with 170 million
jobs created and 92 million displaced.

Automation and AI, particularly generative AI, are at the core of this shift. By 2030, tasks performed
solely by humans are expected to shrink from 47% to 33%, with automation and human-machine
collaboration filling the gap.

This raises a crucial question: How can individuals maintain their relevance and purpose in a world
where machines increasingly perform human tasks?

Nietzsche’s Superman: Rising Above the Challenge

Nietzsche’s Superman provides a compelling framework for navigating this upheaval. The Superman
transcends traditional values, creating new ones and turning challenges into opportunities for
growth.

In the context of automation, this philosophy encourages individuals to view technological change as
a chance to redefine their roles and expand their potential.

The Superman sees technology not as a threat but as a tool for amplifying human creativity,
empathy, and strategic thinking—qualities machines cannot replicate.

By embracing lifelong learning and reimagining meaningful contributions in a technology-driven
world, individuals can embody the adaptability and innovation of the Superman.

This vision transforms technology from a source of disruption into a catalyst for self-overcoming and
human evolution.

Conclusion: Becoming the Superman in the Future of Work

As technological advancements reshape the workforce, Nietzsche’s Superman offers a powerful
vision for rising above fear and resistance to create new values and roles.

The future of work is not just about adapting to change—it is about leading it.

By embracing the ideals of the Superman, we can turn technological disruption into a catalyst for
individual and societal progress, proving that the greatest potential lies in our ability to innovate,
adapt, and elevate ourselves in a rapidly changing world.


* This article is written by Dhaanyalakshmi Muralikrishnan, participants of "The Collision Room" by Astro AWANI, an initiative within Project Sigma, a global program by the Google News Initiative (GNI).