Data engineer says PMs and CEOs are safest from AI, while data engineers feel the pressure first
Zachly · x · 2026-09-09
Data engineer Zach Wilson lays out a "closer to the business, safer from AI" framework:
- Ranking by exposure: data engineers feel the most pressure, then analytics engineers, then data scientists; PMs get elevated, and CEOs/founders are safest.
- The logic: strategic roles involving heavy in-person interaction and stakeholder interfacing are hardest to disrupt — PMs act like mini CEOs. Technical skills are exactly what AI is commoditizing, which is why behind-the-scenes technical roles are more vulnerable.
- He is accordingly launching an analytics + data engineering bootcamp in October to build a more AI-resilient skill set.
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