Former OpenAI Researcher Says AI Era Skills Will Shift to Problem Selection

Former OpenAI researcher Phil Chen published an article titled "Career Advice in the Age of AI," highlighting new trends in career development in the AI era. He believes that the most important skill in the next decade will be the ability to identify truly important questions rather than just solving problems. As AI models excel at handling quantifiable complex tasks, individuals who can effectively allocate time, funds, and other resources to address key issues will be more valuable. Phil Chen states that AI is taking over jobs that can be standardized and judged, and future work will require human judgment, creativity, and long-term decision-making abilities. He advises young professionals to invest in time, relationships, and reputation, as these resources are harder to replicate and will be key to future competition. He emphasizes the importance of consistently delivering high-quality results and building a professional reputation. Regarding whether artificial superintelligence (ASI) will replace knowledge workers, Phil Chen is optimistic, believing that humans still possess irreplaceable advantages in defining goals and allocating resources. Individual long-term value will depend on judgment, expertise, and industry influence rather than execution efficiency.