Silicon Valley is undergoing a quiet revolution. As artificial intelligence tools become increasingly powerful, the industry isn’t just looking for skilled workers; it’s actively seeking individuals with high agency – those who can effectively direct AI, not just execute tasks. The shift is so profound that some founders believe the most valuable skill isn’t coding, but knowing how to leverage AI coding agents like Claude Code and Codex.
The New Value Proposition: Directing, Not Doing
For decades, technical expertise was king. Now, the ability to harness AI is eclipsing that. According to Akshay Kothari, cofounder of the $11 billion startup Notion, we’re approaching a point where AI agents will surpass human capabilities in many areas. The remaining differentiator? Human agency – the capacity to define what AI should build, not just how. This isn’t about productivity; it’s about strategic direction.
Some industry insiders even suggest that the pursuit of attention online, as noted in a recent viral essay, might be a symptom of this new dynamic. People are competing for relevance in a world where AI can handle the execution.
The ‘Agentic’ Workflow: Managing Machines, Not People
Notion cofounder Simon Last embodies this shift. After nearly two decades of coding, he now manages up to four AI agents at a time, delegating work and refining their output. He describes the process as similar to managing a team of human employees, but without the interpersonal complexities. The key is not just using AI but being always using it – even while sleeping, Last admits to experiencing “token anxiety” if his agents aren’t working in the background.
This approach has led Notion to re-evaluate its hiring practices. Kothari emphasizes that the company now values “a few Simons” (highly agentic individuals) over “thousands of engineers.” The focus is on those who understand the “new way of working.”
Beyond Software: Agency as a Universal Skill?
The impact isn’t limited to software engineering. While current AI tools are most effective in technical fields, industry leaders like Jennifer Li at Andreessen Horowitz anticipate this trend spreading to finance, law, and creative industries. The question becomes: will agency become a universally valued skill?
The rise of AI-driven workflows also raises accountability concerns. Despite the automation, the “no slop rule” prevails: humans remain responsible for errors, even when AI generates the code.
The Cringe Factor: Embracing the ‘Main Character’ Mentality
The concept of agency has developed a somewhat awkward reputation. As Yoni Rechtman of Slow Ventures put it, “It’s cringy to refer to yourself as agentic… but it reveals a worldview that you believe there are two kinds of people: the NPCs and the main characters.”
Ultimately, Silicon Valley’s pursuit of agency isn’t about eliminating humans from the equation; it’s about redefining their role. The future of work may not belong to those who can do the most, but to those who can direct the most effectively.
