An army of cheap doers (and why we'll all end up being managers) (matteoforte.com)

AI is rapidly transforming workplace dynamics, leading to significant changes for both managers and individual contributors. Managers now have access to a "cheap army" of AI tools that can execute tasks efficiently, often matching or exceeding human performance. This shift could fundamentally alter management roles, as the nature of decision-making might evolve from strategic choices to more routine, context-dependent decisions that AI can assist with. While human oversight remains crucial—particularly regarding accountability—this increasing automation is prompting a redefinition of management responsibilities. For individual contributors, the rise of AI means their roles could expand dramatically, increasing productivity but also putting them in a bind regarding responsibility for the outcomes of AI-generated work. There's a growing tension between needing to leverage AI for efficiency and the fear of losing ownership over their contributions. As automation becomes commonplace, the need for people who will take accountability for AI-driven processes will become paramount, potentially leading to a scenario where traditional individual contributor roles diminish. Thus, in a future dominated by AI, workers may find themselves transitioning toward managerial roles—overseeing not just teams of people but also AI agents, reshaping the landscape of workplace hierarchies and responsibilities.