Here’s what I truly think: when it comes to reviving American manufacturing, it’s unlikely that the Rust Belt will recover by relying on old-school assembly lines.

At the same time, quickly establishing a fully automated high-tech production line is also unrealistic, especially considering the recent large-scale port strike.

Moreover, I doubt that young people around my age or younger in those traditional areas would be drawn back into the classic lifestyle of the last century—marriage, several kids, a car, and a dog—just because there’s a 41k industrial job available.

Our lifestyles have become more diverse, and we now have access to a wider range of choices online—especially with new trends, varied skill sets (from the “slash youth” movement to remote work, even though companies are now asking employees to return to the office). In the context of artificial intelligence, traditional industrial workers may find their work and lives relatively monotonous and limited in growth opportunities.