Great stuff! I feel like this is some great data to also further my "Guardians will be the hottest hire of 2026" prediction. ;-) At least once they know how to frame their roles...
The shift from theoretical automation to observed exposure is a much healthier way to look at AI’s impact on work. Most debates seem stuck in capability speculation rather than usage reality.
The augmentation vs automation distinction also felt important - many workflows appear to be hybrid rather than fully replaced.
Do you think this distribution will change as agent-style workflows mature, or will augmentation remain the dominant pattern?
Would love that! I made a wild prediction first week of January in a two-part series about the Rise of the Guardians. :-)
2026 and The Rise of the Guardians Part 1: How Wisdom and Tribal Knowledge Make a Comeback. 2025's expensive lesson: AI without wisdom is a money pit. Why Guardians will be the hottest hire of 2026.
2026 and The Rise of the Guardians Part 2: How Experience and AI Create Force Multipliers
If you nail your problem and outcomes statement, you've come a long way.
Great stuff! I feel like this is some great data to also further my "Guardians will be the hottest hire of 2026" prediction. ;-) At least once they know how to frame their roles...
Love to know more Karen. Perhaps we should chat.
The shift from theoretical automation to observed exposure is a much healthier way to look at AI’s impact on work. Most debates seem stuck in capability speculation rather than usage reality.
The augmentation vs automation distinction also felt important - many workflows appear to be hybrid rather than fully replaced.
Do you think this distribution will change as agent-style workflows mature, or will augmentation remain the dominant pattern?
Experience matters most when it reduces uncertainty for others.
Would love that! I made a wild prediction first week of January in a two-part series about the Rise of the Guardians. :-)
2026 and The Rise of the Guardians Part 1: How Wisdom and Tribal Knowledge Make a Comeback. 2025's expensive lesson: AI without wisdom is a money pit. Why Guardians will be the hottest hire of 2026.
2026 and The Rise of the Guardians Part 2: How Experience and AI Create Force Multipliers
The framework to build THE foundational team.
😄