The 3 types of people who will excel in the AI agent era, according to tech leaders | ZDNET

The article "The 3 types of people who will excel in the AI agent era, according to tech leaders" outlines the critical human roles necessary for organizations to thrive amidst increasing AI autonomy. According to tech leaders, three distinct professional types will be essential for success in this new era. Firstly, "tech-savvy enablers" are crucial for building the foundational technical capabilities that allow AI agents to function effectively within an organization. They are responsible for setting up the infrastructure and tools, like data platforms and coding agents, that enable AI to interact with existing systems and deliver value. An example given is EDF UK, where a data team helps over 1,000 users exploit agentic AI by building surrounding capabilities and defining data assets for AI agents. Secondly, "agentic course-correctors" are vital because, despite AI's autonomy, human oversight is necessary to refine and correct AI outputs. These individuals possess both technical and domain-specific knowledge to address inaccuracies or technical challenges that arise, ensuring AI agents remain productive and accurate. Lastly, "outcome-focused collaborators" are those who can clearly define and pursue desired business outcomes. They understand how to leverage AI to achieve strategic goals rather than simply automating existing processes. This involves working with subject matter experts to apply their knowledge to AI, ensuring that AI initiatives generate economic value and avoid merely replicating current human-centric workflows. The success of AI implementation, therefore, relies heavily on these human elements working in conjunction with advanced technology.