In the viral essay The Decade Ahead, Leopold Aschenbrenner predicts that Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) will be a reality in only a few years.

If that happens, the skills and experiences that will prepare you for software engineering with AGI will likely focus on understanding, managing, and integrating highly autonomous systems.

Here are some key areas of work to focus on now to prepare you for the AGI era.

1. Mastering Machine Learning and Deep Learning

Engineers with expertise in these fields will be at the forefront. You’ll need to understand how to create and train models that can learn from a wide variety of data sources, adapt to new information, and generalize across different tasks. Focus on areas like reinforcement learning, unsupervised learning, and neural networks. Keep an eye out for new paradigms in AI that might emerge.

Job titles to watch : Machine Learning Engineer, AI Research Scientist.

2. Software Engineering with a Focus on AI Integration

Traditional software engineering roles will evolve to integrate AI components seamlessly. This includes developing frameworks where AGI can be applied or integrated into existing systems.

Job titles to watch : Full Stack Developer with AI specialization, AI Software Engineer.

3. Navigating Ethics and AI Governance

As AGI could pose significant ethical and governance challenges, roles focusing on the ethical implications, policy-making, and regulatory compliance will be crucial. This includes ensuring AGI systems operate within legal and ethical frameworks. Public as well as private sector experience will be valuable.

Job titles to watch : AI Ethics Analyst, Policy Advisor for AI, Compliance Officer for AI Systems.

4. Evolving Human Computer Interaction (HCI)

HCI will quickly transform into Human-AI Interaction Design. AGI systems will need to interact seamlessly with humans. Companies will need interfaces where humans can interact with AGI systems effectively, built by engineers who understand cognitive psychology and UX/UI design for AI systems.

Engineers skilled in designing intuitive interfaces and interactions between humans and intelligent systems will be highly successful in AGI integration.

Job titles to watch : Interaction Designer for AI, User Experience Researcher for AI Systems.

5. Enhancing Autonomous Systems and Robotics

If AGI leads to more autonomous robots, engineers who can design, build, and program robots with AGI capabilities will be in demand. This includes understanding not just robotics but how AGI can enhance robotic functionality.

Working on autonomous systems, whether in robotics, self-driving vehicles, or drones, can provide practical experience with highly independent systems. These skills will be transferrable to managing and optimizing AGI-based autonomous agents.

Job titles to watch : Robotics Engineer, Automation Specialist.

6. Pioneering Hardware Development for AGI

We’ll need engineers working on specialized hardware that can support AGI. Technologies like neuromorphic computing chips or quantum computing might be necessary for the computational power AGI would require.

Job titles to watch : Hardware Engineer for AI, Quantum Computing Engineer.

7. Securing the Future: Cybersecurity for AGI

AGI systems will introduce new security challenges. Engineers with expertise in cybersecurity will be in high demand to protect AGI systems from national security threats, ensure data privacy, and secure AI-driven decision-making processes against manipulation.

Job titles to watch : AI Security Specialist, Cybersecurity Analyst for AI.

8. Data Engineering: Fueling AGI with Information

Handling large-scale data systems will remain important. Engineers with expertise in big data, data pipelines, and real-time data processing will be essential in feeding AGI systems the information they need to operate.

Job titles to watch : Data Engineer, Big Data Architect.

9. Building Infrastructure for AGI

AGI will require robust and scalable infrastructure on a never-before-seen scale. Engineers with experience in cloud computing, distributed systems, and infrastructure as code (IaC) will be crucial in building the systems that support AGI.

Job titles to watch : Cloud Infrastructure Engineer, Systems Architect for AI.

10. Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration in the AGI Era

Working in roles that involve cross-disciplinary collaboration, such as roles in research or innovation labs, can provide engineers with the ability to think broadly and integrate knowledge from various fields. Combining skills from fields such as biology (for bioinformatics or synthetic biology with AGI) and psychology (for understanding human-AI interaction) will be vital in the AGI era.

Job titles to watch : Bioinformatics Engineer, Environmental Data Scientist.

11. Education and Training for an AGI-Ready Workforce

Developing new educational programs or training modules that teach engineers how to work with AGI, focusing on both technical skills and the philosophical or ethical considerations.

Job titles to watch : AI Curriculum Developer, Training Specialist for AI Technologies.

12. Shaping Regulations in an AGI-Driven World

Engineers working on regulatory technology (RegTech) will gain insight into compliance and governance, which will be critical as AGI evolves within legal frameworks. Understanding how to navigate and shape regulations will be vital.

Job titles to watch : Regulatory Engineer, Compliance Specialist for AI.

13. Research and Development (R&D) in AGI-related Areas

Finally, engineers who are involved in cutting-edge research in AGI, cognitive computing, or advanced AI labs will be directly contributing to and understanding the frontiers of AGI technology, giving them a head start in a world where AGI is a reality.

Job titles to watch : AGI Research Scientist, Cognitive Computing Engineer.

Future Job Titles

The transition to an AGI world would likely see a blend of these roles, where engineers might need to be polymaths, understanding not just one but multiple areas of technology and science. It’s important to grow your technical skills, but also practice adaptability and continuous learning.

Be on the lookout for roles that might not directly mention AGI but are foundational in AI, machine learning, and related technologies. As you choose your next role, think ahead to how you can tailor your focus and future-proof your work for the AGI era.