The world is changing rapidly, and artificial intelligence is becoming not just a tool, but an active participant in professional life. Fei Chen, a former software engineer at Google DeepMind and Scale AI, shared his vision of the skills that will be key for young and ambitious professionals in the next ten years.
Paradigm Shift: From Solving Problems to Choosing Goals
As algorithms become increasingly adept at solving complex, well-defined problems, the role of humans is transforming. Chen argues that the most influential people of the future will be those who can identify critical problems and allocate resources effectively to solve them. The actual process of computation or coding can be delegated to a machine, but strategic vision remains the prerogative of humans.
"The most important skills will be related to problem selection and resource allocation," the expert emphasized.
Three Resources That Cannot Be Replaced
Rather than trying to compete with AI in speed or accuracy, young professionals should focus on what Chen calls truly scarce resources: time, relationships, and reputation. In the modern world, mobilizing capital has become easier than ever, yet finding solid human connections is incredibly difficult.
The expert advises spending time on conscientious work and ensuring that other respected people are aware of it. "People who also do good"—it is precisely this circle of acquaintances that can become a reliable support in a career.
Why AI Will Not Replace Intellectual Professions
Looking to the future, Fei Chen is confident: artificial intelligence will not be able to completely replace humans in intellectual fields. The reason lies in the specifics of human thinking. People possess unique abilities in selecting significant tasks for AI to solve and in allocating resources for their execution. A machine can be an excellent executor, but the strategist remains human.
Strategy for Success
According to Chen, the key to success lies in constant prioritization. Whether it is studying, projects, or internships, it is important to focus only on what truly matters for the long-term goal.
"Not every opportunity will turn into a goal, but being in the right place to see that opportunity is the first step towards scoring," the expert concluded. Ultimately, as in many other areas, victory depends on reputation and accumulated experience.
