Breaking Misconceptions About AI and Job Displacement – Interview With Pierre-Paul Couronne
- Brainz Magazine
- Aug 27
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 28
Pierre-Paul Couronne is a French-Canadian entrepreneur, AI consultant, and founder of Humans of Tomorrow™. From launching a record label at 18 to guiding businesses and individuals through the challenges of AI, his journey reflects a passion for innovation and people. In this exclusive interview, he shares insights on small business growth, misconceptions about AI, and how we can prepare for the future of work with both resilience and purpose.
Pierre-Paul Couronne, Entrepreneur, AI Consultant & Founder
Who is Pierre-Paul Couronne? Introduce yourself, your hobbies, your favorites, you at home or in business, and some interesting things about you.
I’m a French-Canadian entrepreneur and AI consultant based in the greater Montreal area, with family roots from the island of Mauritius. My entrepreneurial journey started when I was just 18, launching an independent record label. Wearing many hats in that business sparked my passion for entrepreneurship, digital marketing, and the inner workings of business.
Fast forward nearly two decades, and I now run a digital marketing agency that supports clients across a wide range of industries with content marketing, paid advertising, and SEO. When AI started making waves in 2022, I felt a pull that went beyond marketing. I wanted to understand how AI would transform not just campaigns, but entire business operations, industries, and society.
That curiosity led me to complete the Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy certificate program at MIT Sloan. Since then, I’ve been helping small and medium-sized businesses harness AI to streamline their processes, create efficiencies, and prepare for the future of work.
Most recently, I launched Humans Of Tomorrow™, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people adapt to our rapidly changing, tech-driven world. Through this initiative, my mission is to support individuals with upskilling, reskilling, and building resilience in the face of technological change.
For me, each step in my journey has been a natural evolution. Whether it was music, business, marketing, or AI, the common thread has always been the same: empowering people and businesses to grow and thrive in a changing world.
What have you learned from working with AI integration in small businesses?
One of the most interesting things I’ve learned from working with small businesses is just how many repetitive tasks can be automated when you take the time to really analyze a situation. What used to seem expensive, complicated, or out of reach is now often achievable in just a few weeks with the right tools and focus. Problems that business owners have been living with for years suddenly have affordable, practical solutions.
For me, the goal is never about replacing people. It’s about elevating the work experience, allowing employees to focus on higher-value, creative, or relationship-driven tasks while AI takes care of the repetitive work in the background.
Of course, I’m also very aware that this technology raises bigger questions about the future of work. While AI creates incredible opportunities, it also forces us to have honest conversations about how to prepare for a future where certain roles may be impacted.
That awareness is one of the reasons I started Humans Of Tomorrow™, to make sure we’re not only building smarter businesses, but also supporting the people inside them as the world continues to change.
In your view, what are the biggest misconceptions about AI and job displacement?
One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is, “I’m not worried about AI taking my job. My work isn’t ready for AI.”
People often assume their workplace is too old-fashioned or still struggling with basic software, so AI feels like something out of reach. That leads to a false sense of job security, the belief that their role is safe simply because their employer isn’t tech-savvy.
But the truth is, that’s not how adoption usually works. Take a small business that’s still running on filing cabinets and analog processes. If they finally decide to modernize, they’re not going to throw all of their focus on outdated tools. They’ll likely jump straight to the most modern solutions available, and today, that means AI-powered systems.
That’s why it’s so important for individuals to stay adaptable and proactive, because nowadays, when organizations decide to modernize, AI is often part of that leap forward.
What makes Humans Of Tomorrow™ different from other upskilling or support programs?
What makes Humans Of Tomorrow™ different is that we’re not just another upskilling program. We take a holistic approach to supporting people through one of the most difficult transitions they may ever face. Losing a job isn’t only about income; it impacts a person’s confidence, identity, and emotional well-being. That’s why we believe therapy and emotional support need to be part of the process, not an afterthought.
Once individuals feel supported and grounded, we then focus on upskilling and reskilling for the changing workforce. Our goal is to prepare people not just with the technical skills they’ll need, but also with the resilience, mindset, and community that will help them thrive in a world shaped by AI and automation.
In short, Humans Of Tomorrow™ is about more than preparing people for new jobs. It’s about helping them rebuild hope, purpose, and direction in their lives.
Can you walk us through the full system you offer, from counseling to administrative support?
Humans Of Tomorrow™ was created to take an empathetic approach to the challenges AI brings to the workforce. As technology reshapes industries, we know many people will face sudden and difficult transitions, and our goal is to support them every step of the way.
Our programs begin with free counseling and therapy for those who have lost their jobs due to AI. Work is deeply tied to identity and self-worth, and losing it can be a traumatic experience. By addressing the mental health aspect first, we help individuals rebuild confidence and create the right mindset to re-enter the workforce.
From there, we focus on robust upskilling and reskilling programs designed to meet people where they are. These programs equip participants with practical, in-demand skills that prepare them to work alongside AI in a rapidly evolving job market.
Finally, we provide hands-on administrative support. This includes helping people refine résumés, organize essential paperwork, and navigate government support programs, practical tools to make the transition less overwhelming.
At its core, Humans Of Tomorrow™ is about restoring dignity, building resilience, and preparing people to thrive in the future of work.
How can someone reading this get involved or support your mission?
We’ve only just launched, and every bit of support makes a real difference in helping us bring our mission to life. There are a few ways people can get involved:
Donate. We’re running crowdfunding campaigns to kickstart programs, and contributions can be made directly through our GoFundMe.
Volunteer. We’re actively looking for passionate individuals to help us build and manage our programs. If you’d like to get involved, you can connect with us here.
Spread the word. Even something as simple as following, liking, or sharing our pages on LinkedIn and Facebook helps boost visibility and reach more people who may need our support.
LinkedIn: Humans Of Tomorrow™
Facebook: Humans Of Tomorrow™
Whether it’s through donating, volunteering, or simply sharing our mission, you’re helping us take one step closer to supporting individuals whose lives and livelihoods are being reshaped by technology.
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