Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing how companies hire, and experienced workers could face an unexpected challenge. While much of the debate around AI and jobs has focused on fresh graduates and entry-level employees, technology executives are raising concerns about professionals in the middle of their careers.
At a recent dinner hosted by Business Insider’s AI Insider newsletter in San Francisco, 17 technology executives discussed how AI agents are changing their daily work, hiring decisions and expectations for employees.
The conversation revealed a possible shift in how companies build their teams, with some leaders favouring a mix of highly experienced engineers and younger workers who are comfortable using AI tools. The discussion suggests that mid-career professionals could face growing pressure as companies find new ways to use AI to complete tasks that once required larger teams.
Why Mid-Career Professionals Could Face More Pressure
One of the key concerns raised during the discussion was how AI could change the traditional structure of engineering teams. Josh Clemm, Figma’s vice president of engineering, warned that engineers in the middle of their careers could face the most pressure as companies reorganise their teams.
Some businesses may prefer hiring highly experienced professionals who can review AI-generated work alongside younger employees who already know how to use AI tools. This approach could put mid-career workers in a difficult position.
They may have years of professional experience, but some of their regular tasks could become easier to automate. Along with this, employers may expect them to take on more responsibility for checking AI outputs, solving difficult problems and making important decisions.
However, this does not mean every mid-career professional is at risk of losing their job. The impact will depend on the work they do, how their company uses AI and the skills they bring to the role.
ALSO READ: AI Workforce Impact Statistics – Jobs at Risk as Global Economy Reshapes
AI Agents Are Changing What Companies Expect From Employees
The discussion also highlighted how quickly AI agents are becoming part of everyday work. During the San Francisco gathering, every executive present said they had used AI agents at work that day. All of them also said they had used more than five AI agents. The responses offered a glimpse into how extensively some technology leaders are already using these tools.
AI agents are tools that can carry out tasks with limited human involvement. Depending on their capabilities, they can help with research, writing code, preparing documents and handling routine work.
As these tools improve, companies may need fewer people to complete certain tasks. Employees who once spent hours on repetitive work could be expected to supervise AI systems and focus on problems that require human judgement.
The change could also affect how companies measure employee performance. Instead of looking only at how quickly someone completes a task, employers may place greater value on whether that person can identify errors, make sound decisions and use AI effectively.
Technical Knowledge and Experience Could Become More Important
Despite concerns about automation, the executives did not suggest that human expertise would become unnecessary.
Matt Biilmann, CEO of Netlify, argued that writing code is becoming less valuable as a standalone skill. He said companies increasingly need people with deep knowledge of their field and the ability to judge whether software works as intended.
Kylan Gibbs, CEO of Inworld, also stressed the importance of experienced engineers who can solve difficult technical problems that AI still struggles with. His comments suggest that businesses may continue to value experienced employees, particularly when their work involves complex decisions and problems that cannot be easily automated.
For mid-career professionals, this could mean that relying on years of experience alone may not be enough. They may need to combine their existing knowledge with the ability to use AI tools, check their results and apply human judgement.
ALSO READ: Fastest-Growing AI Jobs in 2026 and Beyond
What Mid-Career Workers Can Do to Prepare
The executives’ discussion points to a workplace where employees may need to adapt as AI takes on more tasks. For professionals concerned about their future, learning how these tools work could be a useful first step.
Workers can begin by identifying repetitive parts of their jobs that AI can help with, such as summarising documents, analysing information or preparing initial drafts. They can then focus on improving skills that remain important when using these tools, including critical thinking, communication, problem-solving and decision-making.
It is also worth understanding how AI can fail. AI systems can produce incorrect information or generate work that appears convincing but contains mistakes. Employees who can identify these problems and correct them may be better prepared for workplaces that rely on automated systems.
For managers, the shift could require a different approach to leadership. As AI takes over more routine tasks, managing people may involve setting clear goals, checking the quality of AI-assisted work and helping teams learn new skills.
AI’s Impact on Jobs Is Still Uncertain
The discussion among the 17 technology executives highlights a possible change in hiring priorities, but it does not establish that mid-career workers across all industries face the greatest risk from AI.
The comments reflect the experiences and expectations of technology leaders, particularly those working with software and AI tools. Other industries may experience different changes depending on their business needs and the tasks involved.
Still, the debate raises an important question for workers and employers: how will companies value experience when AI can perform more of the tasks that once required years of training?
As AI agents become more capable, professional experience may remain valuable, but employees could face growing pressure to show how they can apply that experience alongside new technology. The biggest challenge may be less about competing directly with AI and more about adapting to changing expectations at work.