bhaskar saikia

“I belong to the upper middle class.”
How many times have we heard this phrase, often said with a sense of pride? Yet, if we pause and think, is there really such a thing? Or is it simply a label born out of comparison and ego?

To understand this better, let’s take a walk through history.

The Agricultural Age

For centuries, society was divided into two broad classes: the Lords and the peasants. Lords owned land and wealth, while peasants worked the fields. Interestingly, peasants of that era weren’t necessarily poor; many were entrepreneurial in spirit. Life was uncertain but self-driven.

The Industrial Revolution

Everything changed with the invention of the steam engine in the 18th century. Factories mushroomed, machines replaced manual labor, and people moved to cities for steady jobs. With predictable incomes and pensions, a new middle class emerged—distinct from the wealthy industrialists and the poor rural workers.

The Information Age

Fast forward to the late 20th century and the birth of the internet. Smart devices, social media, and digital platforms reshaped our world. A new class—the super-rich—emerged, driven not by factories but by information and innovation. Suddenly, society had four layers:

• The super-rich (tech giants and innovators)
• The rich (traditional industrial owners)
• The middle class (salaried employees)
• The poor (largely agricultural and unskilled workers)

The Age of AI

We now stand (if not already in) on the threshold of yet another transformation: the Age of Artificial Intelligence. Robotics, cloud computing, and intelligent systems are automating entire industries. Next-generation tools like ChatGPT, generative AI design software, autonomous vehicles, and advanced medical AI are redefining how we work and live.

Traditional jobs that once sustained the middle class are rapidly disappearing. In this AI-powered world, conceptual skills combined with AI literacy become the new currency of success. Those who adapt—leveraging AI to create innovative solutions, new businesses, or next-gen platforms—could rise to become the new rich or even super super-rich. Those who resist change may find themselves sliding into economic vulnerability.

The Myth of the Upper Middle Class

Where does this leave the so-called “upper middle class”? The truth is, it’s more of a social construct than an economic category. Many who claim it are simply comparing themselves to others within the same bracket, a reflection of human nature to feel superior. Ironically, this mindset often discourages generosity and innovation.

The lesson is clear: societal classes are not fixed. They evolve with technology and ideas. To thrive in the Age of AI, we must adapt, learn, and embrace these new tools—not cling to outdated social labels.