AI Should Help Us, Not Just Replace Us: Rethinking the Future of Work, Human Skills and Artificial Intelligence

This paper examines how artificial intelligence can be designed and deployed to strengthen human capabilities rather than focus exclusively on automating human tasks.It explores the distinction between automation and augmentation, the economic and organisational incentives that influence AI adoption, and the implications of these choices for workers, employers, educators, developers, and policymakers.The paper proposes a five-part framework for human-centred AI based on meaningful human agency, legibility and contestability, collaboration by design, worker participation and fair distribution, and public-interest evaluation. It argues that the value of AI should be assessed not only through efficiency and productivity, but also through its effects on human judgement, learning, autonomy, accountability, and the distribution of benefits.Using a conceptual, literature-informed approach, the paper identifies limitations and outlines directions for future research into human-AI collaboration and responsible workplace AI.The paper contributes a practical framework for discussions about the future of work, human skills, AI governance, and the responsible integration of artificial intelligence into society.