Human superiority isn't about outworking a machine, it's about knowing how to fix it

Building an AI-driven society with advanced machinery requires people who deeply understand how systems work. Unlike high-productivity workers, whose efforts will always fall short compared to machines, these individuals can create and operate the systems that power automation.

Let me tell a story to show how this works.

A power plant suffered a system failure that went unresolved for two months. Workers and management were at a loss. Despite bringing in numerous technicians, no one could identify or fix the problem.

Desperate, the plant's owner offered a high reward to anyone who could fix the system. A young engineer arrived, examined the system, and quickly identified the issue: a missing electromagnetic coil. After replacing it, the system was up and running again.

The owner was stunned. Hundreds of employees and dozens of hired technicians had failed, yet one person solved the issue with a single coil. When the engineer requested a $10,000 payment, the owner protested: "It was just a small coil. Why so expensive?"

The engineer responded: "How many workers checked this system? How many technicians tried to fix it? Why couldn't they? Because they only knew how to replace broken parts, not what the system needed to function. If a spring had been broken, they would have replaced it. But when a part was missing, they couldn't figure out the solution. The coil is cheap, true. But knowing the system needed that coil - that's what's valuable."

Realizing the truth in these words, the owner gladly paid the young engineer and hired him as the plant's technical director.

A person is coding on their laptop. Illustration photo by Pexels

Another similar story shares the same idea. A car broke down, and the owner took it to multiple repair shops. None could fix it. Finally, one mechanic tapped a hammer in the right spot, and the car started working again. He charged $20.

Surprised, the car owner said, "One tap with a hammer, why so expensive?"

The mechanic replied, "The hammer strike costs $1. Knowing where to strike costs $19. You already saw other shops fail to fix it."

The car owner paid without further complaint.

These stories highlight why understanding how systems function is crucial. Those with deep knowledge of how things work typically earn more than those who simply work hard.

This is why education must shift its focus. Schools should spend less time forcing students to memorize facts and more time helping them develop a deep understanding of subjects. If students grasp core principles, they can one day build and repair automated systems.

Machines and AI will always be faster and more efficient than humans, but humans design, run, and fix automation. That requires deep system knowledge. Education must prepare students by making automation part of the curriculum.

Memorizing multiplication tables does not mean students understand multiplication. They must learn the logic behind math to apply it correctly. The same applies to reading and writing—without understanding spelling rules, students make mistakes. But once they grasp patterns, they can spell correctly. Many struggle simply because they lack foundational knowledge.

Schools must adapt. Learning should be automated, but students should not try to compete with machines. Instead, human intelligence must be used to make sure we stay ahead in building, maintaining, and improving automated systems.