Skills for the Code AGI Era

The podcast explores the skills required for the new code AGI era, highlighting a shift in software engineering from an artisanal activity to an industrial process. It emphasizes the importance of adapting to the capabilities of AI agents. The discussion is based on Nathan Lambert's essays, which suggest that software engineering will look very different by the end of 2026. Two key skill sets are identified: agent manager, which focuses on directing agents for maximum output through systems design thinking and ambitious task scoping, and enterprise operator, which centers on knowing what to work on and why, emphasizing domain expertise, problem recognition, and process redesign. The core mindset shift is that execution is now cheap, making selection the scarce resource.