The Future of Value: Human Experience Optimization (HEO)
Here's a conversation starter from Nish:
How can we design businesses, careers, and interactions to optimize for human experience in an AI-driven world?
We’ve optimized everything—automation, efficiency, convenience. AI is taking over tasks at an unprecedented rate. But what happens when something becomes too abundant? It creates a new scarcity. And today, that scarcity is human connection.
What is Human Experience Optimization?
Think about transportation. Self-driving taxis will soon be the cheapest, most efficient way to get around. But what if you want a human in the car? Someone to talk to, share a conversation with, or even offer local insights? You might pay $5 for a robo-taxi—but $50 for the human experience.
Look at coffee culture. Big chains like Starbucks offer peak convenience—you can order ahead, pick up your drink, and never speak to anyone. But independent coffee shops are thriving because they offer something different: connection, community, and conversation.
Consider business interactions. AI will handle transactions, pricing, scheduling, and information-sharing. But what will we crave? The experience of human connection. A sales rep who understands your industry. An HR leader who values your story, not just your résumé.
This is Human Experience Optimization (HEO)—the next generation of value. As automation rises, the most valuable skills will be those that cannot be automated: empathy, storytelling, relationships, and deep human understanding.