Toy Story 5 Says It’s About Toys… But It’s Really About All of Us Feeling Replaceable!

Executive Director Column About AI - - -

Toy Story 5 Says It’s About Toys… But It’s Really About All of Us Feeling Replaceable!

At first glance, Toy Story 5 sounds like another classic Pixar adventure—funny, heartfelt, and full of familiar faces. Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the gang are back. And this time, the toys are facing a shiny new rival: technology. That might sound like a kids’ movie problem. It’s not.

In my role as Defiance County Economic Development Director, I see that same tension every day. Local companies are racing to keep up with automation and AI—trying to stay competitive while figuring out what comes next. It’s exciting… and exhausting all at the same time.

Teachers are wondering how AI changes learning. Writers are wondering how it changes creativity. Office workers are wondering if software can do their jobs faster. Small business owners are trying to keep up without losing the personal touch that made them successful in the first place.

The fear isn’t always, “Will AI take my job?” Sometimes it’s quieter—and deeper: “Will what I know still matter?”

Woody has always defined himself by being there for his kid. Buzz had to learn he wasn’t actually a space ranger. Jessie had to overcome being left behind. These characters have always wrestled with purpose, identity, and change. Now they’re facing a world where even childhood looks different. Kids still imagine, play, and create—but they also text, stream, game, swipe, and video chat. A tablet can entertain, educate, and connect all at once.

That doesn’t make toys worthless. But it does force them to evolve. And the same is true for us. AI doesn’t erase human value—but it does challenge us to get clearer about what our value actually is.

The real advantage isn’t technology—it’s being human. Because there’s one thing technology still can’t replicate: trust. AI can compare prices, write reviews, plan trips, and generate content in seconds. But it can’t recreate how people feel when they walk into a place where they’re known, welcomed, and remembered.

I was recently at Sweetwater Chophouse in Defiance. The food is great—but that’s not what keeps me coming back. It’s the way they greet me: “Hi, Erika—how are you today?”

Every time, I pause and think—wow, they remember my name. It’s simple, but it feels personal. And it matters. They take a moment to chat about what’s happening around town, and you can tell it’s genuine—they truly care.

That’s the kind of experience people don’t forget. Not just efficiency—but real connection.

This isn’t about resisting AI. It’s about using it wisely. The businesses that thrive will be the ones who let technology handle the repetitive work—drafting emails, organizing ideas, analyzing feedback—so they can spend more time on what really matters: people.

For small towns, small businesses, and anyone trying to navigate change, the lesson isn’t new—but it is more important than ever:

· Know who you serve

· Stay useful

· Adapt when the world changes

· Never underestimate the power of human connection

Because the future doesn’t belong to those who ignore technology—it belongs to those who use it wisely, without forgetting what made them valuable in the first place.

And just like the toys in Toy Story, that value has never been about being the newest thing in the room. It’s about being the one that still matters.

(Column Written by Erika Willitzer, Executive Director of Defiance County Economic Development)

For business expansion and/or workforce resources, email Erika@DefianceCountyED.com.