The Myth of the Safe and Lovable Degree
How to Stay Relevant In The Vibe Era
Remember when “get a degree in computer science” was career advice you could set your watch by? For years, it was the safest bet. It was everyone’s ticket to job security in a world obsessed with disruption.
Parents, teachers, and career coaches all pointed in the same direction: learn to code, and you’ll always be needed. But now, that well-trodden path has led a whole generation straight into the eye of the storm…where algorithms are replacing entry-level roles before the ink on the diploma dries, and the rules seem to change with every software update.
When Safe Isn’t Safe Anymore
Let’s not sugar-coat it. For decades, computer science was the golden ticket. Learn Python, ship apps, and you were set. Until the machines learned to do your job faster, and cheaper than you ever could.
Suddenly, it’s not just about being able to code, it’s about what the market values now that coding alone isn’t rare or remarkable. As AI takes over routine work, “qualified” means something new. The safest roles now? They’re the ones AI can’t clone:
— The negotiator who can read a room
— The account manager who can build trust across a call
— The growth lead who turns uncertainty into opportunity
As I think about how I would build out my lean growth team, I’m not looking for more code. I’m looking for someone who can think, sell, spot gaps, adapt and someone who sees where AI fits but doesn’t lose their “humanness.”
AI is not your replacement… rather, it is your force multiplier.
Becoming an AI-Powered Human
You can’t out-code the bots. But you can out-human them, if you know where to focus.
My playbook for staying relevant (and invaluable) as AI rewrites the rules:
Learn to Lead the Machine, Not Compete With It
Don’t obsess over which model is smartest. Instead, learn how to direct, QA, and refine what AI delivers. Use tools like Claude Opus 4 or Codex as your partners, not your competition.Make Your Weak Ties Your Superpower
AI won’t build your network or earn trust for you. Get good at listening, reading the room, and forging connections that make you indispensable, whether in sales, account management, or cross-team projects.Experiment Like an Owner
Set up your own “human-AI test kitchen.” Build QA agents, debugging copilots, and workflow automations. The first version will be messy. Iterate, reflect, and keep what actually moves the needle.Look for the Unknown Unknowns
AI makes mistakes and sometimes in spectacular, hard-to-catch ways. Build the habit of checking for hidden risks: data leaks, rogue code, or automation that’s just a bit too slick. Stay curious. Ask: What don’t I know yet?Keep Your Edge Human
Technical skills will get you in the door; adaptability, curiosity, and emotional intelligence keep you at the table. Invest just as much in these as in your AI toolkit.
The result: You’re setting the pace, because you’re using AI to amplify what only a human can bring.
Claude-Powered QA Is Your New Secret Weapon
If you’re wondering how to actually work with AI (not just worry about it), here’s one way I’m putting this into action right now:
Claude Opus 4 has been helping me check code, debug it, and make sure nothing slips through the cracks.
By building your QA (quality assurance) and debugging copilots, I’ve turned AI from a “code monkey” into a tireless project partner. It’s less about handing over the work and more about raising the bar together.
What’s different?
— Faster code reviews and fewer human errors
— A safety net for vibe coding and weird edge cases
— More time for the creative and collaborative work that only humans can do
What’s One Human Skill You Can Level Up This Week?
You already know AI can write code, write your emails, and crunch numbers at speed. But what’s one thing like negotiating, building trust, creative problem-solving, that no model can do for you?
Pick one. Practise it. Let the machines handle the rest.
We’ve entered a world where the “safe” path isn’t what’s on your diploma, but what you do when the rules change.
AI may have rewritten the job market, but the real opportunity is to double down on what only you can bring: your adaptability, your curiosity, your ability to connect and lead when things get fuzzy.
All the Zest 🍋
Cien