What Nick Bostrom Wants Entrepreneurs to Know About the End of Work

In a world speeding toward artificial general intelligence, philosopher and futurist Nick Bostrom is asking the most provocative question of all: What happens when there’s nothing left for humans to do?

Appearing on the Young and Profiting Podcast, Bostrom—author of the influential books Superintelligence and Deep Utopia—outlined a vision for a post-work, AI-saturated society. But rather than preach doom, Bostrom offered something more urgent and useful for today’s entrepreneurs: a roadmap for how to thrive in a world that may soon solve every traditional problem.

The Coming “Solved World”

Bostrom believes AI is progressing fast enough that we could soon live in a society where all human labor is obsolete. Not just routine jobs, but every form of work—from software development to strategic planning—will be more effectively executed by machines.

“We would be looking forward to a future of full unemployment… and that’s not necessarily a bad thing,” Bostrom said.

In this “solved world,” humans would no longer be needed to create wealth, solve problems, or build institutions. AI will do it better, faster, and cheaper. But Bostrom argues that this creates a different kind of crisis: not one of scarcity, but of meaning.

Deep Redundancy and the Crisis of Purpose

Even in a utopia of abundance, Bostrom warns we’ll face “deep redundancy”—a sense that our actions are no longer needed, even for hobbies or self-improvement.

“In a solved world… your efforts are not needed for anything,” he explained. “There would be a sort of cloud of pointlessness hanging over them”.

This is more than existential dread. It’s a challenge to entrepreneurs: if your job is to solve problems, what happens when there are none left? And if innovation itself is automated, what’s left for the innovator?

Entrepreneurship as Art, Not Necessity

Bostrom suggests that in this AI-powered world, entrepreneurship won’t die—it will evolve. The entrepreneur of the future may not create companies out of economic necessity but as a form of expression, like an artist creating a game, a culture, or an experience.

In this sense, startups may become more like “artificial purpose engines”—projects that simulate struggle, competition, and risk because we’re wired to need them.

“Now is the golden age for purpose,” Bostrom emphasized. “All the big problems are still here—and we might be the last generation with a chance to solve them”.

Three AIs to Watch: Oracles, Genies, Sovereigns

For founders exploring AI, Bostrom’s framework of AI types is especially instructive:

• Oracle AIs: Answer questions (think ChatGPT).
• Genie AIs: Execute tasks.
• Sovereign AIs: Pursue long-term goals autonomously.

Each has different risk profiles and use cases. Entrepreneurs need to be strategic about which type of intelligence they build with—and how to remain aligned with human values in doing so.

The Entrepreneur’s Edge: Authenticity and Origin

So what can humans still do in this post-work world?

According to Bostrom, people will still care about origin and authenticity. They may value goods and experiences because they were made by humans. This opens space for creators, artisans, and purpose-driven founders to still matter—if they’re building for meaning, not just scale.

Final Takeaway: Build Like It Matters

Bostrom doesn’t downplay the risks of superintelligence. But he believes the worst outcome isn’t AI destroying us—it’s us never finding purpose in a world that doesn’t need us.

For today’s entrepreneurs, his advice is clear: Don’t wait for that world to arrive. Build now. Solve something real. Be part of the last generation that makes a difference.

“To exist right now is quite remarkable,” Bostrom concluded. “Don’t miss your chance to shape the future.”