In an age where AI can execute tasks, the most valuable human trait will be agency—the will to dream up new ideas and act upon them. Instilling this sense of agency is crucial for the next generation to leverage AI as a tool rather than be displaced by it.

With AI trivializing the mechanical act of writing code, the most valuable traits for emerging engineers are no longer just technical proficiency. Instead, employers will seek demonstrated agency (the drive to build), taste (knowing what to build), and a commitment to quality.

In a world where AI handles routine tasks, the most valuable human contribution is the initiative to solve problems independently. ElevenLabs prioritizes hiring for "agency," seeing it as the ultimate amplifier for an individual's impact, regardless of their seniority. High-agency people are the winners of the AI era.

Once AI surpasses human intelligence, raw intellect ceases to be a core differentiator. The new “North Star” for humans becomes agency: the willpower to choose difficult, meaningful work over easy dopamine hits provided by AI-generated entertainment.

As AI handles analytical tasks, the most critical human skills are those it cannot replicate: setting aspirational goals, applying nuanced judgment, and demonstrating true orthogonal creativity. This shifts focus from credentials to raw intrinsic talent.

AI tools disproportionately empower two types of people. First, proactive, "high agency" individuals who can now execute solutions independently. Second, multidisciplinary "double majors" (e.g., marketing + software) who can leverage AI to single-handedly manage functions that previously required large teams.

How you perceive AI depends entirely on your career approach. For those disengaged at work, AI is a threat that could automate their job. For those actively crafting their own path ("high agency"), AI is a powerful tool that accelerates learning, networking, and execution, making them superhuman.

With information freely available via AI tools like ChatGPT, the excuse of “not knowing how” is gone. The key to success is no longer access to knowledge but the personal accountability to act on it and take full ownership of outcomes, both good and bad.

As AI automates tasks and transforms industries, fixed skills have a shorter shelf life. The defining characteristic for success will be curiosity—the intrinsic motivation to explore, ask questions, and learn continuously. It's the engine that enables adaptation and discovery.