Rooftop Revelation: AI Can’t Replace Physical Labor

Corey Brooks, a pastor and founder of Project Hood, emphasizes the importance of “honest work” learned through trade school as a potential solution for poverty. He believes that many individuals struggling in today’s job market genuinely want to improve their lives.

Reflecting on the longstanding impact of liberal policies since the 60s, Brooks raises concerns about the creation of a permanent lower class in America. This issue is particularly evident in neighborhoods like the south side of Chicago, where educational institutions are lacking and opportunities have been supplanted by government assistance. There’s a disturbing trend of violence affecting too many families, yet there are untapped possibilities for these communities.

While listening to Mike Rowe in “Dirty Work,” Brooks resonated with his assertion that society has been urging children to learn coding for years. Although he received similar advice to promote coding as a career opportunity, Brooks firmly believes in the value of trade skills.

Rowe pointed out that while AI has taken a toll on various coding jobs, its reach hasn’t extended to essential trade professions like welding, plumbing, and electrical work. AI simply cannot take on physical labor.

Over the last couple of decades, the U.S. has shifted its focus, prioritizing university degrees over vocational training, a move Brooks considers misguided. In his view, this has led some in his community to undervalue manual labor, mistakenly believing that a college degree is the only ticket to success. Regardless of this perception, he argues that there is dignity in work done with one’s hands.

Brooks recalls hearing Larry Fink, the chairman and CEO of BlackRock, state that there is a pressing need for half a million electricians in the coming years. His nonprofit offers electrical training to individuals, including some Chicago police officers who transitioned to full-time roles in the field.

Moreover, the demand for skilled technicians is high—over 80,000 crash repair technicians are needed, along with more than 140,000 skilled workers to aid in constructing nuclear submarines for the navy. The energy sector, too, anticipates needing 300,000 to 500,000 workers.

Importantly, AI cannot fill these roles, but Brooks recognizes that there are capable individuals in neighborhoods like his, ready to step into these positions.

The focus now must be on training these individuals, many of whom may be living in poverty with limited education but possess a strong desire to improve their circumstances. Brooks advocates for prioritizing pathways to opportunity in order to counteract the decline attributed to liberalism since the 60s.

He suggests that failing to fully commit to their potential might serve as a lesson for others about what happens when one does not give their all.

Addressing the broader societal challenges, Brooks notes that America is experiencing a crisis—one that doesn’t simply affect people like his neighbors.

Ultimately, pursuing a trade can be a golden opportunity for many Americans seeking a sustainable livelihood.