The Rise of The “One-Person” Army
Have you heard the term “jack-of-all-trades”? It’s something that I’ve often contemplated after being labeled as such, especially during my college years. Back then, I was deeply immersed in math and the physical sciences, engaged in tech, sang and produced music, and indulged in graphic design and comic book artistry during my free time. Some might call it mania, others a preoccupation, and a few might even label it as Asperger’s. However, in the future we’re entering, a jack-of-all-trades could be a formidable entity, especially if they’re not aligned with integrity and morality.
We’re stepping into an era where individuals can operate with the speed and efficiency of a one-man army, thanks to generative AI. With a solid grasp of a subject, the right questions, and the appropriate terminology, generative AI can produce exactly what one needs. But what about those who excel in multiple domains? Consider someone skilled in graphic design, familiar with the Adobe product suite’s capabilities, including customized fonts, generative photographs, and animations. The integration of generative AI into these tools is unveiling new possibilities every day.
Shifting focus to other media forms like sound, I recall feeling demoralized when a mere clip of “This is Gospel” by Brandon Urie and a model trained on my voice produced a version of the song sung by me, surpassing my own vocal abilities. My studies have also revealed AI’s ability to create sound effects, such as simulating the sound of walking up and down stairs, by merely “listening” to these actions through input and output layers. Moreover, I’ve observed experiments where mice’s brain activity was predicted; as they navigated a maze, a computer could display the path they imagined before they even took a step. This wasn’t mere statistical guessing but mapping neuronal activity for computational imitation. And that was back in 2013.
Today, generative AI enables us to create endless content, empowering individuals to establish entire companies single-handedly, from web applications to technology infrastructures, with only the initial hardware costs. This shift poses both exciting opportunities and daunting challenges for our future work landscape.
What happens when this world materializes fully? What becomes of the less creative, those engaged in routine tasks, or strategists making routines out of less routine tasks? The next five years, possibly even sooner, depending on the adoption and trust in these generative systems, may bring significant disruptions.
As we contemplate the future, it’s crucial to address these considerations with accuracy and insight, particularly concerning AI’s capabilities and ethical implications.
The Fall of the Managed Service
Managed services, as we've come to know them, operate on a foundation that seems increasingly precarious. At the heart of this industry is an assumption: either a stark lack of skill within client organizations, a fear of becoming the next headline for mass layoffs, or the sheer volume of tasks at large corporations that supposedly can't be managed internally. The Big Four—a term that has evolved from the Big Three—extract millions from their clients to essentially rent out young talent equipped with slide decks and a hotline to subject matter experts.
This model strikes me as inherently predatory. It's built not on fostering growth within client organizations but on sustaining dependency. Jobs within these client organizations have morphed into managing vendors, essentially outsourcing skill at an exorbitant markup. While there's a time and place for leveraging external expertise, especially in implementing cutting-edge technologies like AI, this dynamic is set for a seismic shift.
Enter generative AI, the harbinger of change in this landscape. With its ability to generate content and provide solutions that match or surpass the delayed responses from those $300,000-a-year consultants (who, incidentally, see only a quarter of that sum themselves), the justification for these managed services begins to crumble. Why indeed would a company call upon the likes of Deloitte, EY, PWC, or Accenture for audits, tech selection, or implementation when AI can automate these processes, more efficiently and at a fraction of the cost?
This move towards automation heralds a future where a lean team, not an army of offshore resources, can manage entire departments. As someone deeply invested in American innovation and workforce development, I champion the shift away from reliance on offshore resources. This isn't about disparaging those who come to work from abroad; many are exceptionally skilled and have contributed significantly to our industries. Rather, it's about addressing a model built on cost savings and greed that undermines our own workforce's potential and morale.
The narrative that Americans are somehow less capable or too lazy to learn these skills is fundamentally flawed. It's not about laziness; it's about a system that demoralizes by outsourcing jobs to lower-cost countries, not considering the higher cost of living and the unfairness it perpetuates.
I've witnessed firsthand the potential within our borders. I've seen highly skilled tech workers struggle to find employment, not due to a lack of ability, but because their jobs were outsourced. I've seen brilliant minds with PhDs in critical fields like material science lose opportunities because we've outsourced not just our jobs but our manufacturing capabilities.
As generative AI begins to make traditional corporate jobs obsolete, our focus must shift. We need to invest in our people, our manufacturing, and our future. The fall of managed services isn't just about the end of an industry; it's about the beginning of a new chapter where we recognize and harness the potential of our workforce, where automation serves not to replace but to elevate, and where the future of work is reshaped for the better. This, I believe, is the path forward for America and the West—a return to self-reliance, innovation, and a fair shot for every skilled individual who calls it home.
The Light at the End of the Tunnel
So, everyone, it's time to roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty. As we venture into the future, it's clear that manufacturing and design, powered by tools like generative AI, can propel us forward at an unprecedented pace. What's incredibly advantageous is that the most cutting-edge pieces of this technology are not only open-source but also accessible in our native language. This means engaging with and utilizing this technology is far easier than ever before.
For those in tech, I urge you to embrace these advancements rather than fear them. And for those outside of tech, or from any walk of life, it's time to consider how you can dive in, hands-first. Whether it's learning to build something from scratch, mastering public speaking, repairing your home, or cultivating your own food, there's immense value in acquiring hands-on, real-world skills.
This moment calls for a pivot away from purely digital ambitions like coding—not because it lacks value, but because the future demands a broader skill set. Coding, while a valuable skill, may not be the most prudent investment of time for everyone. The rise of AI and automation signals a transformation in job creation, especially in technology sectors that aren't hardware-based. Companies that rely heavily on digital platforms could see their roles quickly replicated or replaced by AI systems capable of handling maintenance, cybersecurity, infrastructure management, and even software development lifecycle auditing.
However, this isn't a cause for despair but a beacon of hope for a grand shift back to foundational economic activities. It's a shift that renews focus on utilizing natural resources—resources that are abundant yet untapped. Legislative changes could open avenues for responsible mining in low-population areas, bolstering our economy without significant social disruption.
As for the climate change debate, it's a reminder of the ever-evolving nature of environmental science. Predictions about long-term conditions like California's drought have fluctuated, underscoring the complexity of climate systems and the need for adaptive, informed responses rather than rigid, fear-based policies.
In conclusion, the emergence of AI and automation doesn't signal the end but a new beginning. It's an opportunity to rediscover and reinvest in the tangible, the practical, and the sustainable. By broadening our skill sets and focusing on industries and practices that build the real world, we can ensure a resilient, thriving future. Let's embrace this light at the end of the tunnel, not as the end of the road, but as a guide to a more diversified, hands-on approach to our lives and work.
-Chris Yacone, Cyber Professional, Loving Father
