Editor’s note: This opinion piece was submitted to The Permian Press for publication. Readers interested in submitting an opinion on this or another local issue can visit our Submit a Story page.

Eliel Rosa is a legal immigrant from Brazil. He is the founder of Nehemiah220 Ministries, which has been serving Midlanders for eight years. He has a BA in Social Sciences and a specialization in Urban Sociology. He came to the U.S. to pursue a PhD in Constitutional Law and Public Policy.

On May 28, Harvest Time Church, led by Pastor John Bohacek, hosted a town hall focused on the socioeconomic impacts of artificial intelligence. Approximately 50 residents from Midland, Odessa, and Andrews participated. Eleven speakers representing professions including nursing, geology, business administration, journalism, education, real estate, music, and public service engaged in a thoughtful and productive discussion.

A show of hands among participants revealed an almost unanimous view: contrary to many media projections, the Permian Basin is unlikely to experience a 30–50% workforce replacement by AI between now and 2030.

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The following are selected highlights from the discussion.

John Burkholder, At-Large City Council Member: These discussions are essential as we enter uncharted territory with AI. To plan effectively for the future, we must understand both its opportunities and risks. While many uncertainties remain, ongoing dialogue helps us develop a clearer picture of how AI may shape our lives and how communities can adapt.

AI is arguably the most significant technological advancement of this century, and it cannot be ignored. The Midland of Tomorrow conversations are critical as we explore this emerging technology.

Jerry Morales, former Mayor of Midland and restaurant owner: AI has already helped the restaurant industry operate more efficiently with fewer administrative demands. Large chains and franchises appear to be adopting AI more aggressively than independent restaurants.

AI is proving valuable for menu design, scheduling, recipe development, recruiting, and marketing. The Texas Restaurant Association consistently encourages operators to incorporate AI into their businesses to remain competitive. However, I do not currently see widespread use of robotic systems in local restaurant operations.

Lori Forbus, Permian Basin nurse: AI is already helping reduce administrative burdens in healthcare through documentation support and data analysis. In nursing education, AI-enhanced systems assist with virtual reality training, critical-thinking exercises, and skills assessments that provide immediate feedback. These tools help prepare nurses more efficiently, reduce training costs, and support better patient care.

Looking ahead, innovations such as ambient documentation will create both opportunities and challenges, particularly regarding patient privacy. Nurses are actively developing AI literacy to ensure these technologies remain patient-centered. I do not believe AI will replace nurses by 2030, as nursing judgment depends on education, experience, and human discernment.

Jim Geitgey, petroleum geologist: The discussion was more positive and optimistic than I expected. I heard no verified reports of jobs being lost because of AI, although some displacement may occur. A more likely outcome is that organizations may hire fewer people for certain entry-level or clerical roles because AI increases productivity.

Participants shared numerous examples of AI already supporting our community through local government services, healthcare, education, and private-sector operations. The overall consensus was that AI currently functions as a tool that amplifies human capabilities rather than replacing workers.

Greg Connell, Odessa City Council Member: Many participants highlighted the value of tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Grok, Gemini, and similar systems for writing, research, planning, analysis, and problem-solving. I also emphasized that today’s systems are classified as Narrow AI—highly capable technologies designed for specific domains.

The next anticipated milestone is Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), followed potentially by Artificial Superintelligence (ASI). Because AI is increasingly helping researchers develop more advanced AI systems, progress may accelerate rapidly.

At the same time, the global competition to achieve AGI and ASI raises important questions about safety, ethics, governance, and international cooperation. Meaningful discussions regarding guardrails and responsible development should occur globally, even as the technological race continues.

The next Midland of Tomorrow meeting will be held at the end of June. For additional information, please contact [email protected].