Knowledge work: Transmitters vs Doers

I recently received a blood test result – a sheet filled with around 20 different measurements. In the past, a "knowledge worker" like my General Practitioner (GP) would interpret these for me, pointing out what's high/low and what it all means. The GP in this scenario acts as a knowledge transmitter: identifying the relevant information and relaying it to me.

Contrast that with a different kind of knowledge worker: an anaesthetic consultant. They possess highly specialized knowledge relevant to your upcoming surgery but their role extends doing the work: administer the anaesthetic, monitor vital signs throughout the procedure, and reacting to any changes or complications that arise. Or consider a software engineer: while the vast majority of their technical knowledge might, in principle, be accessible to a sophisticated Large Language Model (LLM), yet they still need to take that knowledge and actively build, and deploy functional software. These individuals are knowledge doers.

Of course, there are always grey areas but knowledge doers and transmitters have different futures.

The Evolving Role of Knowledge Transmitters and Doers

I didn't consult a GP. I just asked an LLM to interpret my results and suggest actions I need to take.

The future for knowledge transmitters lies in developing stronger social and uniquely human skills. For example, a teacher is a transmitter - so their value will be to connect with students on an emotional level and inspire a love of learning. This human element will become the differentiator.

Knowledge doers will need to adapt to working alongside new AI tools. The software engineer will leverage AI for code generation and routine tasks. The anaesthetist will use AI tools to help alert and manage the delivery of the surgery.

For the next 3 to 5 years, I believe this difference will hold.