At the 11th IFAC Conference on Manufacturing Modelling, Management and Control (MIM 2025), SkillAIbility and X-HuLog4.0 project co-organised a special session that broke with convention. Titled “Sunset of the human-only era – a new dawn for human-AI industry,” the dialogue took place on 1 July 2025, from 22:15 to 23:15, in the aptly named room Andromeda, offering participants a symbolic view of the setting sun, and perhaps of a turning point in industrial history.
Rather than hosting a panel or delivering presentations, the organisers facilitated an open discussion among a diverse group of participants, researchers, technologists, educators, and students. The conversation focused on the evolving dynamics between humans and artificial intelligence in co-driven manufacturing and logistics environments.
Technology as a tool, not a replacement
The discussion was kicked off by Dr. Sotirios Panagou (NTNU), who framed the session within the broader context of SkillAIbility’s mission: enabling inclusive, ethical, and sustainable technological innovation. He reminded attendees that AI should not aim to replace humans, but rather to support and augment their capabilities.
Many participants echoed this perspective, advocating for AI-augmented decision-making rather than fully automated systems. Examples ranged from industrial robotics to academic settings, where AI is already assisting with repetitive tasks, allowing human workers and educators to focus on higher-value activities.
Trust, transparency, and human control
A recurring theme in the session was trust, specifically, how to build and maintain it in systems where AI plays an operational role. Participants called for transparent, explainable AI, especially in high-stakes environments where human lives or livelihoods are at risk.
The metaphor of the “big red button” surfaced repeatedly, symbolising the need for humans to retain control in critical moments. Participants warned that systems without clear fail-safes risk becoming not only dangerous but socially destabilising.
There was consensus that humans must remain ultimately accountable for the outcomes of AI-driven processes, both in industry and in society more broadly.
Human-centric design and inclusion
Several contributions focused on how to implement human-centric design principles into AI systems. This includes involving users from the beginning of the development process, clearly documenting data sources, and ensuring that metrics like well-being and trust are considered alongside efficiency and productivity.
One speaker highlighted how SkillAIbility is supporting AI tools for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, demonstrating that AI can empower inclusion when used responsibly.
The discussion also noted that younger generations must be educated not only in how to use AI but how to do so responsibly. Multiple attendees pointed to the importance of teaching students to critically evaluate AI-generated outputs, echoing the need for a “responsible user” to match responsible design.
The broader societal challenge
As the conversation deepened, the focus turned to the socioeconomic implications of the AI revolution. Participants expressed concern that, as AI and robotics move into more domains, even highly skilled white-collar jobs are becoming vulnerable.
This led to a powerful reflection: if humans are no longer needed in large segments of the economy, who will participate in society as consumers, creators, or citizens?
A key message emerged: the conversation around AI is not just technical, it is political, economic, and ethical. The room agreed on the need for policymakers to be involved in these discussions from the outset. As one speaker said, “If we don’t include them, we risk crafting brilliant technologies with no framework for their responsible deployment.”
Revolutions, red buttons, and responsibility
Throughout the session, participants drew parallels between today’s AI transformation and the Industrial Revolutions of the past. While revolutions inevitably bring disruption, the tone was ultimately hopeful and constructive.
One attendee offered a compelling metaphor: just as industrial machinery now comes with a red emergency stop button, so too must we build safety, ethics, and inclusivity into AI systems from the beginning. Another noted that while we may not be able to stop the momentum of AI, we can and should guide its trajectory.
Conclusion: designing with purpose
The “Sunset of the Human-Only Era” session was more than just a discussion, it was a demonstration of the co-creative, reflective, and ethical mindset that projects like SkillAIbility aim to promote.It made clear that the future of human-AI collaboration must be built not only on innovation but also on respect, education, transparency, and inclusion. And that future, just like the sun setting over Trondheim, is already in motion.
