AI may be removing the bottom rungs of the career ladder
rational-minority · reddit · 2026-08-29
The author proposes a perspective on AI's long-term impact: AI may be removing the 'bottom rungs' of the career ladder. Historically, novices learned industry mechanics by handling basic tasks (simple coding, junior research, phone duties). These tasks had low immediate value to companies but were crucial for cultivating future experts. AI is exceptionally good at this entry-level cognitive work. While companies can save costs by not hiring juniors in the short term, long-term, without these basic positions for trial and error, there may be no one to become the experienced experts of the future.
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