Agentic AI and Career Anxiety: A Calm Perspective for Emerging Engineers

Last week, I had the privilege of speaking with a group of early-career software and AI engineers. Their excitement for the field was palpable, but so was their concern—especially around the growing narrative that Agentic AI and automation might eliminate tech jobs. Statements from some CEOs about AI replacing “coding jobs” or even “entire mid-level engineering roles” are fueling fears among both current engineers and those preparing to enter the workforce.

Seeing the worry in their faces reminded me of how much clarity and perspective can help calm the storm. I shared my take during our conversation, and based on their feedback, I thought it might be worth sharing here for a broader audience.

If you’ve been following my recent articles, you’ll know I’ve outlined the phased progression of Agentic AI adoption across industries. For those who haven’t, you can find my previous thoughts here. In this article, I’ll focus on the human element—how engineers can navigate the inevitable changes AI will bring, and why the fear of being replaced may be overstated.

Agentic AI’s Adoption: A Phased Reality Check

When we talk about the impact of Agentic AI, it’s important to separate hype from reality. Implementing AI on a large scale, especially in tech and adjacent industries, is a multi-phase journey. Each phase comes with unique challenges and demands, requiring significant human expertise to succeed.

Phase 1: Automating Internal IT Systems

The first step for most companies will be implementing Agentic AI in internal IT systems. This includes automating processes like password resets, system upgrades, and employee query resolution. While this phase leans heavily on automation, it also requires engineers to integrate AI with existing systems, manage workflows, and ensure smooth transitions.

Phase 2: Enhancing Customer-Facing Products

Once internal systems are optimized, companies will turn to customer-facing products. This phase involves significant re-engineering, as businesses look to integrate AI into customer experience tools and support systems. Engineers will be tasked with developing cross-SaaS integrations, improving data quality, and building AI that delivers real value to end users.

Phase 3: Overhauling Core Systems

This is where things get more complex. Reworking the foundational systems that support business operations—from supply chain management to lead conversion workflows—requires deep architectural changes. The effort and expertise needed here are immense, which is why companies that rush to this phase often stumble. Engineers will play a critical role in making this transition successful, balancing innovation with operational reliability.

Phase 4: Creating Autonomous, Collaborative AI Systems

In the final phase, Agentic AI systems will not only function independently but also communicate with other AI agents across business ecosystems. This could include AI-driven forecasting, preemptive issue resolution, and seamless collaboration between AI, employees, and external stakeholders. While this vision is compelling, it’s far from being realized. And even when it does happen, engineers will remain vital in designing, maintaining, and evolving these systems.

Why Engineers Will Continue to Thrive

Let’s address a common misconception: when CEOs talk about automation replacing roles, they’re often not referring to engineers in the traditional sense. Here’s the reality:

1. Early Phases Demand Engineers Phases 1 and 2 alone will require a massive influx of engineering talent. These phases aren’t just about automation—they’re about creating and implementing the frameworks that make automation possible. Engineers will be at the forefront, ensuring AI systems are secure, scalable, and effective.
2. Reskilling Will Drive Future Relevance The engineers who thrive in an Agentic AI-driven world will be those who embrace lifelong learning. Tools, languages, and frameworks may evolve, but the core skills—problem-solving, critical thinking, and the ability to collaborate—will always be in demand.
3. Roles Most at Risk Are Not Engineering-Centric If there’s any area that might see significant disruption, it’s mid-level management and roles centered around coordination, like project and program management. These functions often involve repeatable workflows that AI can streamline. Engineers, by contrast, create the systems that enable this automation.
4. Automation as an Enabler, Not a Replacement Automation isn’t about replacing humans—it’s about amplifying human potential. Engineers will play a crucial role in designing AI systems that augment productivity, improve decision-making, and create new opportunities for innovation.

Why Sweeping CEO Narratives Cause Confusion

One of the biggest sources of anxiety for engineers is the way CEOs frame the future of work. Statements like “AI will replace engineers” are often overly simplistic, failing to consider the nuances of implementation.

From the C-suite’s vantage point, these comments might make sense—they reflect a long-term vision of how technology will reshape roles. But for those on the ground, these narratives can be misleading. Engineers are not being replaced; they’re being asked to evolve. And as history has shown us, the best engineers adapt faster than the technology itself.

The fact is, the core engineering skill set—building, maintaining, and innovating systems—will remain invaluable. The churn and chaos these sweeping statements cause are unnecessary and often counterproductive, creating fear instead of fostering growth.

Advice for Emerging Engineers

For those starting their careers, here’s my perspective: the future is bright if you’re willing to grow with it.

1. Double Down on Fundamentals The demand for problem-solving, creativity, and technical expertise isn’t going anywhere. Strengthen your foundations, and you’ll have the flexibility to adapt to whatever comes next.
2. Stay Curious and Keep Learning Agentic AI is evolving rapidly, but so are the tools and platforms that support it. Staying informed about trends and continuously reskilling will keep you ahead of the curve.
3. Focus on Value Creation Instead of worrying about being replaced, think about how you can create value in a world where humans and AI work together. Engineers who can design and optimize these systems will always have a role to play.
4. Ignore the Noise Bold predictions are often just that—predictions. Focus on what you can control: your growth, your skills, and your ability to contribute meaningfully to the projects you take on.

Closing Thoughts

The narrative around Agentic AI eliminating jobs may grab headlines, but the reality is far more nuanced. Change is coming, yes, but it will require collaboration, creativity, and resilience—qualities that engineers bring to the table every day.

As I told the group I spoke with last week, don’t let fear of the unknown hold you back. Instead, see this moment as an opportunity to define your role in the next generation of technology. The future isn’t about being replaced—it’s about evolving, growing, and shaping the systems that will drive progress for years to come.

If you missed my previous article on the phases of AI implementation, you can read it here. I’d love to hear your thoughts—what do you see as the biggest opportunities for engineers in the age of Agentic AI? Let’s start a conversation.

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