Have you ever thought about this question:
In the AI era, what kind of people are most valuable?
Many people would say:
- The smartest people
- The most technically skilled people
- People with prestigious degrees from top schools
But I'm here to tell you: None of the above.
I'm Coder Wanfeng. After years of teaching AI programming, I've discovered that truly valuable talent has a different quality.
1. A True Story
I know two people, both programmers, both graduated from ordinary universities, both with similar abilities.
Person A: Solid technical skills, but doesn't use AI tools. Writes code by hand every day, works overtime until late.
Person B: Weaker technical skills than Person A, but good at using AI. Asks AI before writing code, has AI review code after writing, lets AI analyze problems when issues arise.
Three years later:
- Person A: Still an ordinary programmer, working overtime every day
- Person B: Became the tech lead, managing a team, earning 2x Person A's salary
Where's the gap?
Not in technical skills, but in the ability to use tools.
2. In the AI Era, the Scarce Resource Is "People Who Can Use AI"
Today, there are more and more AI tools, and they're getting more and more powerful.
But people who know how to use them are still in the minority.
Many people:
- Know AI tools exist, but don't know how to use them
- Can use them a little, but not well
- Can use them, but don't know where to apply them
People who deeply use AI are very scarce.
This scarcity is value.
3. What Exactly Does "Can Use AI" Mean?
It's not simply "can type, can ask questions."
Real "can use AI" includes:
Capability 1: Knowing What AI Can and Can't Do
Knowing the boundaries of AI's capabilities is essential to truly leverage its value.
Capability 2: Knowing How to Ask Questions to Get Good Answers
With the same AI tools, the difference between people who can ask questions and those who can't is 10x in results.
Prompting ability is the new core skill of the AI era.
Capability 3: Knowing How to Judge Whether AI's Answers Are Good
AI makes mistakes. You need to be able to identify errors, correct errors, and optimize results.
Capability 4: Knowing How to Integrate AI into Your Workflow
Not using AI to replace work, but using AI to improve work efficiency.
4. What Kind of People Will Be Most Valuable?
Type 1: Product Managers Who Understand AI
High demand, high salary, low competition
Product managers who understand AI can:
- Design AI products that actually land in production
- Know what AI can do and what it can't
- Communicate efficiently with tech teams
This kind of talent is very scarce right now.
Type 2: Sales/Operations People Who Understand AI
Cross-domain advantage, hard to replace
Sales and operations people who understand AI can:
- Use AI to analyze customers, generate solutions
- Use AI to create content and promote products
- Use AI to improve efficiency and reduce costs
People who understand both business and AI will be the most sought-after in the future.
Type 3: Traditional Industry Practitioners Who Understand AI
Industry barriers, competitive advantage
Healthcare, education, finance, manufacturing... every industry needs people who understand both the industry and AI.
For example:
- Doctors who understand AI can better use AI to assist diagnosis
- Teachers who understand AI can better use AI to teach
- Lawyers who understand AI can better use AI for case analysis
This kind of cross-domain talent is the most valuable in the AI era.
Type 4: Programmers Who Can Use AI
10x efficiency improvement, doubled value
Programmers who can use AI:
- Write code 10x faster with AI assistance
- Focus on architecture and design rather than repetitive coding
- Command 2-3x the salary of programmers who can't use AI
5. Final Word
In the AI era, intelligence alone isn't enough.
Technical skills alone aren't enough.
The most valuable people are those who can deeply use AI to amplify their abilities.
If you're a student choosing a major, think less about "what's the hottest field" and more about "which field gives me the foundation to use AI well."
If you're already working, stop asking "will AI replace me" and start asking "how can I use AI to become irreplaceable."
The answer is in your hands.
I'm Coder Wanfeng, with 400,000 followers across all platforms, creator of the open-source python-office library, focused on sharing practical Python and AI tips.
My personal website: https://www.python4office.cn — feel free to visit.
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