Summary: College alumni are expressing deep concerns about AI’s impact on their careers and the future of their children. The discussion reflects broader anxieties about technological change and its societal consequences.

At my 30-year college reunion, one topic dominated conversations: the impact of AI on our lives and the future of our children. As we reconnected with old classmates, it became clear that many of us are grappling with the implications of large language models (LLMs) and their growing influence on knowledge work. From job security to ethical concerns, the conversation seemed to circle back to how AI is reshaping our world—both professionally and personally.

While it’s tempting to view this as just another generational anxiety, the unique context of 2026 makes it feel different. Unlike past decades, where uncertainty was often tied to geopolitical events or economic shifts, today’s fears are rooted in a technology that is rapidly evolving and deeply integrated into daily life. Our generation, now in its 50s, has witnessed the rise of the internet, smartphones, and social media—but AI feels like a new frontier, one with both promise and peril.

Beyond AI, there was also a recurring theme of nostalgia for the early days of computing. Some of us reminisced about classic games like ‘Wesleyan Tetris,’ a chaotic version of the popular puzzle game that made playing against others more than just a test of skill—it was a battle of wit and strategy. This nostalgia highlights how far we’ve come, but also how much we’ve changed in the process.

As we look ahead, the question remains: How will these technologies shape the next generation? And what role should we, as adults and professionals, play in guiding that evolution?

Tags: #AI #Tech #LLM #FutureOfWork

Source: https://bcantrill.dtrace.org/2026/05/25/a-portentous-reunion/