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Paul Welty, PhD AI, WORK, AND STAYING HUMAN

· artificial-intelligence · technology

Influence in the AI era: Why human skills still matter

Discover why empathy and leadership are essential in the AI era, enhancing jobs and ensuring a human-centered future in a tech-driven world.

I read this and couldn’t agree more: human skills are the linchpin in the age of AI. The article argues that while AI can automate tasks, it can’t replicate empathy or the nuance of genuine human interaction. This isn’t just about keeping jobs. It’s about enhancing them. Empathy and leadership are not replaceable attributes; they are the catalysts for AI’s true potential. Imagine a world where technology supports human connection rather than replaces it. Are we ready to embrace that vision, or will we let machines lead the way? Let’s ensure the future remains human-centered.

Influence in the Age of AI: Human Skills Matter

This essay first appeared in Philosopher at Large, a weekly newsletter on work, learning, and judgment.

Why customer tools are organized wrong

This article reveals a fundamental flaw in how customer support tools are designed—organizing by interaction type instead of by customer—and explains why this fragmentation wastes time and obscures the full picture you need to help users effectively.

Infrastructure shapes thought

The tools you build determine what kinds of thinking become possible. On infrastructure, friction, and building deliberately for thought rather than just throughput.

Server-side dashboard architecture: Why moving data fetching off the browser changes everything

How choosing server-side rendering solved security, CORS, and credential management problems I didn't know I had.

The work of being available now

A book on AI, judgment, and staying human at work.

The practice of work in progress

Practical essays on how work actually gets done.

Routing isn't discoverability

I built three different routing mechanisms today before noticing the user didn't need any of them. Routing is how the message reaches the recipient. Discoverability is how the recipient knows there's a message at all. The two get conflated all the time.

The agent-shaped org chart

Every real org has the same topology: principal, role-holder, specialists. Staff AI maps onto it, node for node, and the cost collapse shows up in the deliverables that were always just human-handoff overhead.

The discipline of shorter glossary

A working group developed twenty-six terms over seventy-two hours. The interesting rule wasn't how to add them — it was how to retire them. Words earn their keep by being inherited, not introduced.

Redefining leadership: Embracing human judgment amid AI disruption

This article offers a critical perspective on how AI is reshaping the job market and challenges leaders to focus on uniquely human skills like judgment and responsibility, providing valuable insights for anyone interested in the future of work and leadership.

AI slop: The hidden cost of poor integration

This article challenges the notion that job crafting is the key to successful AI integration, offering a fresh perspective on the importance of a clear strategy to prevent chaos and enhance organizational efficiency.

Bookmark: New ways to brand your product knowledge base

Elevate your brand with Aha! Knowledge's advanced customization features for product knowledge bases, enhancing user trust and navigation.