In the AI era, the premium skill shifts from writing code or building architectures to accurately defining the right problem, a capability that AI cannot replace and that dramatically amplifies the impact of subsequent AI‑driven solutions.
The article argues that traditional internet metrics like DAU and SaaS models are obsolete because AI agents have become the new software users, shifting value from attention to token consumption, and outlines six strategic "cuts" that illustrate how businesses must pivot to serve agents rather than humans.
In an age where AI can generate code, mastering C remains essential because it reveals the low‑level mechanisms of memory, pointers, and CPU behavior that high‑level languages hide, enabling developers to write high‑performance software and stay valuable in the job market.
In the AI era, developers who master big‑picture thinking, build automated delivery pipelines, quantify business impact, and use AI as a tool rather than a crutch become truly indispensable, outpacing those who rely solely on raw coding speed.
In the age of AI, the article argues that the ultimate first metric for startups and organizations is the amount of time people spend on truly valuable, regret‑free experiences, urging data‑driven leaders to focus on deeper, multi‑level metrics beyond simple conversion rates.
Baidu Technical Salon on June 11 will host a forum on engineer development in the AI era, featuring senior engineer Zhang Miao and academic and industry experts discussing education, professional qualities, career paths, and talent cultivation to improve cost efficiency amid AI‑driven transformation.
