‘It’s crazy they invented it’: Nate Bargatze on the bright future of skilled trades, the urgency of live experience and the coming of AI

Nate Bargatze, a comedian without a college education, has become a successful advocate for skilled-trades careers. Once a water meter reader, Bargatze now sells out arenas and plans to build a $350 million theme park in Tennessee. Ford enlisted him to promote skilled-trades careers, emphasizing the demand for electricians, technicians, and other hands-on workers to keep the physical economy running.

"It's crazy they invented AI," Bargatze said, "because you gave me, the dumb person, the answers. Now, with AI, I can literally talk to it and get more interactive information." He believes AI can help bridge the gap in skilled-trades by making information more accessible and helping people execute their jobs more efficiently. However, he emphasizes that AI cannot replace the need for physical presence in roles like installation, maintenance, repair, and building.