When AI Does the Task, What is the Work?

In this episode of Beyond AI: Wisdom at Work, Brian Gorman (  / briangorman07030  ) speaks with Michael Privat (  / michaelprivat  ) , Chief Data and Engineering Officer at Availity, about a question reaching far beyond software engineering. When AI can perform more of the tasks that once defined our jobs, what does the work become? Michael challenges the assumption that the task itself is the profession. In software engineering, writing code has long been central to professional identity. But as AI becomes increasingly capable of writing that code, Michael argues that the opportunity is not simply to produce more, faster. It is to focus more deeply on why the work is being done, the value it creates, and the human beings it ultimately serves. The conversation also explores Michael’s concept of “talent density”, having sufficient depth across multiple neighboring skills rather than deep expertise in only one. While Michael illustrates the idea through software engineering, its implications reach across the workplace. AI can bring enormous depth to a task very quickly. The human challenge is having enough breadth to understand that depth, connect it to adjacent areas, recognize where it fits, and carry the work from task to meaningful outcome. As AI takes on more specialized tasks, the ability to work across boundaries rather than remain narrowly defined by a single expertise becomes increasingly important. Brian and Michael also examine one of the less visible consequences of AI adoption. What happens to human development when machines take over the work through which people once gained experience. Michael’s distinction between the “map” and the “territory” points to what AI cannot provide. It may give us access to enormous amounts of accumulated knowledge, but it has not walked the territory. Wisdom still develops through experience, accountability, reflection, and ownership. Rather than eliminating opportunities for people early in their careers, Michael argues that leaders need to rethink how those people learn. AI output can become something to examine, challenge, understand, and ultimately take responsibility for, not simply something to accept. Ultimately, the conversation moves from efficiency to purpose. The question is no longer simply, Can AI do this task? It is: What are people now free, and responsible, to contribute? In This Episode • Why AI forces us to separate a profession from the tasks historically associated with it • Why “talent density”, sufficient depth across multiple adjacent skills,  matters more as AI provides specialized depth on demand • Why AI amplifies what already exists, including complexity, weak processes, and poor quality • What organizations risk losing when AI removes the work through which people develop experience and wisdom • Why understanding, ownership, lived experience, and creating something “lovable” remain distinctly human contributions About Michael Privat Michael Privat is a Chief Data and Engineering Officer leading a global team of 500+ engineers. With 25 years in tech, he helps organizations unlock speed, clarity, and accountability. He turns stalled engineering teams into high-performing systems built on ownership, discipline, and modern AI-driven workflows through his “accountable autonomy” model. About Brian Gorman Brian Gorman is an executive advisor, author, speaker, coach, and host of Beyond AI: Wisdom at Work. He works at the intersection of artificial intelligence and human wisdom, helping CEOs, founders, boards, and senior leadership teams think clearly about AI, change, decision-making, culture, trust, and the future of work. His book, Leading into the Age of Wisdom: Reimagining the Future of Work, explores how leaders can move beyond intelligence alone and bring deeper wisdom to the decisions shaping people, organizations, and society. To Continue the Conversation If anything you hear in this podcast sparks a conversation you want to have or a question you want to explore, reach out. Michael LinkedIn:   / michaelprivat   (https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/...) Substack: https://michaelprivat.substack.com/ (https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/...) Brian Email: Brian@TransformingLives.Coach (mailto:Brian@TransformingLives.Coach) Phone; +1 917.653.5198 Website: Transformi...