AI's impact on employment: the most discussed question is "which jobs will disappear." But the more noteworthy change is not actually whether jobs survive, but the change in skill requirements for the same job. The job remains, but the way work is done is already different.
The common thread of change: intermediate links are compressed
The most visibly affected by AI are the intermediate links that mainly process standard information: basic text organization, template-based graphic design, and rule-based categorization work. The common trait of these links is clear input and output and little room for judgment, so they are the easiest to automate.
But the two ends of the link—determining what the problem is and being responsible for the result—instead need people more. This creates a change: work content concentrates toward the two ends, while the mechanical middle is removed.
Which skills are appreciating
First is asking good questions. AI can answer many questions, but only if the question is asked correctly. Being able to break down vague needs into clear questions is itself an underrated ability.
Second is cross-domain connection. A single skill is easy to replace, but combining knowledge from two fields to solve a specific problem is something AI finds very hard to do directly. This is also why "composite" is repeatedly mentioned—not because one needs to learn more, but because the intersections are scarce.
Third is judgment and accountability. AI can offer options, but it does not bear consequences. In scenarios that require trade-offs and responsibility, human value becomes even more prominent.
Implications for individuals
Rather than worrying about whether a certain skill will become obsolete, focus on whether you are doing "work that involves judgment." If the entire content of a job can be accurately described as a process, then its replacement is only a matter of time. Conversely, as long as part of the work requires understanding specific contexts and making trade-offs, that part is not easily replaced.
As for whether it's the humanities or sciences, this division itself is becoming less important. What truly determines a person's value is whether they can solve specific problems, not just master knowledge in a certain specialty. In an era of increasingly powerful tools, people who can ask questions, make judgments, and take responsibility will always have a place.