AI hasn’t just accelerated technology, it has accelerated emotion. Mention AI and jobs and you can feel the tension: a mix of curiosity, skepticism, and quiet panic. As someone who has championed AI in the workplace and experienced a layoff during the wave of tech restructuring, I’ve lived that tension up close.

This talk breaks down AI anxiety through a historical lens, showing that what we’re feeling today isn’t new, it’s part of a predictable, century‑long pattern of tech panic.

Attendees will walk away with:
• A clear framework for understanding the Tech Panic Lifecycle
• Historical parallels that make today’s AI disruption feel less chaotic and more navigable
• Insight into why AI triggers identity, stability, and skill‑based fears
• Practical ways to move from cautious to curious without ignoring real risks
• A grounded reminder that innovation doesn’t replace humans overnight. Humans reshape work right back

AI requires new mental models, new workflows, and new trust patterns. But the future doesn’t arrive fully formed, it arrives in drafts. And developers, as always, are among the editors.

Technical Requirements

Standard projector + audio

Ability to show short historical images/timelines (no video required)

No live coding or demos needed

Target Audience

Developers, engineering managers, product folks, and anyone navigating AI adoption in real-world teams

Especially relevant for mid‑career technologists experiencing rapid shifts in tooling and expectations

Session Level

Intermediate (no AI expertise required; focuses on human behavior, tech culture, and practical framing)