What if technology gave us everything we wanted—yet left us with nothing to live for? This talk explores the hidden cost of AI-driven automation: the quiet erosion of purpose, meaning, and struggle. Blending science, philosophy, and real-world stories, it reveals why comfort without effort may be humanity’s most dangerous trap. Nik Popgeorgiev is a network engineer, college educator, and writer who explores the quiet tension between technological progress and human meaning. Originally from Bulgaria and now based in Folsom, California, he teaches future engineers how to build the systems that shape our world—while quietly asking what kind of world we’re building. His fascination with artificial intelligence runs alongside a deeper question: how do we preserve purpose, creativity, and selfhood in a world increasingly run by machines?
With over two decades in the tech industry, Nik brings both technical expertise and reflective insight to his work. In the winter, he works as a ski instructor in the Sierra, where movement, focus, and nature offer a different kind of clarity. He lives with his two children, finding joy in books, sports, long conversations, and the occasional existential crisis. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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