Man suddenly refuses to have children with his wife over terrifying AI fears

A woman who'd been looking forward to starting a family has been left navigating a tricky situation after learning why her husband no longer wants children. And it's a reason far beyond her control.

Debates over Artificial Intelligence (AI) have been raging in recent times, with strong opinions on both sides. While some believe this technology could revolutionise and improve many aspects of life, others fear it will lead to widespread job losses and a widening gap between rich and poor.

These anxieties are even affecting how many people navigate some of their most significant decisions, including the question of whether or not they should have kids, with so much change and uncertainty on the horizon.

This is now the case for this couple, who had, until recently, been preparing to try for a baby next month. They'd even gone through all the preconception tests to ensure "everything was ready".

The concerned husband then began to fret that it wouldn't be "wise" to bring a child into a "world of desperation" in which he believes AI will wipe out employment as we know it.

According to this 30-year-old woman, her 45-year-old husband, who previously seemed keen on the idea of welcoming a family of their own, had a stark change of heart.

Taking to Reddit, the conflicted wife wrote anonymously: "Today he told me that he's been 'doing his research', reading Goldman Sachs projections (!) and talking to 'people who know things', and he now believes there's no point in having children because future adults won't be able to find any kind of job due to AI.

"And since — statistically speaking — it's highly unlikely that our child would be one of the lucky exceptions in a world of desperation, he thinks it's wiser not to bring anyone into it."

She continued: "He works in finance and is well educated… but to me, his reasoning sounds terribly simplistic. He's not a futurologist, nor a sociologist, nor an anthropologist… how can he make such a drastic and catastrophic prediction with so much certainty? Do you have any sources or references that could help me challenge or 'soften' his rigid view? Thank you in advance."

Fellow Reddit users responded with a range of varied opinions on the matter. While some completely agreed with where the husband was coming from, and even shared his anxieties, others felt that there could be other factors that were giving him pause for thought.

One person advised: "He's 45–I don't think he wants kids at all. He may have some valid concerns, but the upshot is he doesn't want kids, and I don't think anything you can say will convince him to, at least not without ultimatums and resentment. If having kids is a dealbreaker, it's best to end this relationship and look for someone who does want kids."

Another suggested: "Probably an excuse for his cold feet. Now you need to decide whether kids are more important than the relationship. Big decision."

After mulling over the replies in the comment section, the woman issued the following update: "Wow, thanks for your replies! I don't know if he now feels too old to have kids: what I do know is that, until just the other day, he felt too young to do it…

"Further update... I spoke with my husband, and it seems he said those things in a bad moment of exhaustion and discouragement. He doesn't want to give up on the idea of becoming a father: his words came from a place of fear; he's worried he might not be capable enough for the role. Anyhow, thank you for your clever observations!"

Do you have a story to share? Email me at [email protected]