AI and the Changing Nature of Work: A Prophetic Reflection
A prophecy from 1835 and what today’s AI developments may mean for the future of work.
The Scriptures show that God sometimes reveals future events through prophecy. These prophecies often relate not only to spiritual matters but also to the ordering of nations and the circumstances of daily life. At times, such insights are understood only much later, as events begin to unfold.
In this context it is interesting to consider a message recorded by John Wroe on 9 January 1835 concerning labour and the future ordering of work within society:
“O England, hear thy peace, if thou wilt receive it! The day shall come, when he that labours above the number of hours that are passed in both houses of Parliament shall be as though he had robbed his government… his neighbours shall rise up against him, and say, Thou hast entered into other men’s labour, and robbed our children.”
At the time these words were spoken, industrial society was still developing and the idea of limiting working hours was only beginning to emerge. In many places long hours of labour were common and labour laws were only beginning to develop.
Yet the prophecy seems to describe a very different kind of society — one in which the number of hours a person may work is limited by law. In such a setting, taking more than the permitted hours could be viewed as taking work that should be shared with others. The message suggests a time when employment itself may be scarce enough that governments regulate how work is distributed so that more people have the opportunity to participate.
Today, the nature of work itself is changing in ways earlier generations could scarcely have imagined. Advances in technology, particularly artificial intelligence, are beginning to reshape industries and alter the demand for human labour. In some fields, technologies are increasingly perform tasks that once required many workers.
As these developments unfold, societies may begin asking new questions. If technology allows more work to be done with fewer people, how should labour be shared? Should working hours be reduced so that more people have the opportunity to work? Might the structure of employment itself look different in the future?
Prophecy does not always reveal exactly how events will unfold, but it can offer insight that helps us observe the course of the world with greater understanding. Words spoken nearly two centuries ago may yet shed light on developments we are only beginning to see.
As artificial intelligence continues to develop and influence the labour market, it will be interesting to watch how these technologies shape the future of work. For those who value prophecy, such moments invite careful observation, thoughtful reflection and trust that God’s purposes continue to unfold in ways that may only become clear with time.