A number of years ago, the first Avatar film arrived from legendary director James Cameron.
Since then, several sequels have followed, each continuing a similar thread. In that first movie, it was hard not to be moved by the destruction of the forest people and their great tree. Yet what felt like cinematic imagination then mirrors events unfolding in the real world today – and not as some AI-generated script.
There was a time when science fiction was comfortably distant from reality. Films like The Terminator painted futures that seemed far off, almost impossible.
Even earlier, the Dick Tracy comics imagined technology like wristwatch communication – something that once felt fanciful but now is reality.
The future has arrived, and it looks very much like what we once imagined.
Cameron himself has spoken about revisiting the Terminator story, but admitted the challenge of creating something that would not feel outdated within a year.
That’s how quickly technology, particularly artificial intelligence, is evolving.
What once took decades to become reality now happens in a matter of months.
So, should we be concerned about AI and its impact on the workforce?
It’s a fair question. For those in roles that can be absorbed or reshaped by automation, the shift may already be underway. For some seniors, it may even be worth considering new ways to earn or adapt in a changing landscape.
AI will shape the future – there’s little doubt about that. Robotics in manufacturing, automation in services, and intelligent systems in everyday life are already changing how we live and work. It’s no longer speculation; it’s happening now.
AI is still in its early stages, but the pace of progress is undeniable. Seventy years ago, we played simple ball games on small black-and-white television screens. Today, we experience ultra-high-definition visuals on massive displays, with immersive sound to match.
For many older Australians, the speed of change can feel overwhelming.
And whether we welcome it or not, the shift is already here.
