Volunteering in the Age of AI: Humanity’s Superpower

Ash Rosshandler
3 days ago
3 min read

Updated: 10 hours ago

By Ash Rosshandler, CEO of GoodCompany

This National Volunteering Week, as we celebrate the millions of Australians who give their time and hearts to others, we must also confront a powerful truth: the world is changing faster than ever before, and not everyone will be ready.

The rise of Artificial Intelligence promises efficiencies, breakthroughs, and transformation on an unprecedented scale. But it also threatens to rupture the foundations of society as we know it—disrupting industries, displacing jobs, and reconfiguring our daily lives.

So the question isn’t just what we will do in this new world.

It’s who we will become.

The Coming Disruption

AI isn’t coming. It’s already here.

From chatbots writing code to helping me finesse this piece (thanks ChatGPT), the pace of automation is staggering. While these innovations may unlock new possibilities, they will also reshape the employment landscape, dislocating millions from their traditional roles.

And with that displacement comes a deeper challenge—not just economic, but existential. If our sense of self has long been tied to our careers, our productivity, our usefulness in a capitalist framework—what happens when machines become more useful than us?

Volunteering: A Lifeline to Purpose

In a world redefined by machines, volunteering may be humanity’s greatest superpower.

Why? Because volunteering meets three of our most essential human needs:

Connection: In an increasingly digitised world, volunteering provides a space for real-world relationships, shared purpose, and deep empathy.
Contribution: When traditional work roles fade or evolve, volunteering offers a way to continue adding value—to people, communities, and causes we care about.
Character: It’s not about resumes, KPIs, or quarterly goals. It’s about showing up with kindness, with presence, with the willingness to make a difference.

Volunteering reminds us that even when the machines are faster, we are still essential.

The Role of Volunteering in the AI Era

Volunteering can—and must—play a vital role in building resilience in the face of disruption:

Strengthening Communities: Whether it's mentoring young people, delivering meals, planting trees, or supporting mental health initiatives, volunteers are the backbone of local resilience.
Bridging the Meaning Gap: As AI redefines "work," volunteering can redefine "worth." It offers people of all ages and backgrounds a reason to get up in the morning—and a place to belong.
Driving Inclusion: Volunteering doesn't care about your CV. It's an equaliser, where people from different walks of life come together to create something better than themselves.

A National Imperative

Australia already has a proud volunteering culture—but in the face of coming change, we must elevate it from a “nice-to-have” to a national imperative.

Corporate leaders: Embed volunteering into your employee value proposition. It’s not just good PR—it’s good for mental health, loyalty, and leadership development.
Government: Invest in volunteer infrastructure and support. We need a robust, well-funded volunteering ecosystem to meet future demands.
Everyday Australians: Whether you have one hour a month or one day a week—your time, your presence, and your care can change lives. Including your own.