The Rise of the AI Manager

2025 is expected to be the year of AI agents. If they deliver as promised, we will have powerful new members of our team. Which means that managers need to learn some new skills, as outlined in this article from Fast Company.

As AI agents become increasingly autonomous and capable, the role of human professionals is shifting—not toward obsolescence, but toward management. Rather than replacing skilled workers, AI is enabling them to become high-leverage managers, directing AI agents to achieve outcomes far beyond what individuals could previously accomplish alone. These AI agents, capable of handling complex tasks across industries, represent a new type of team member, and success will hinge on those who can strategically lead and collaborate with them.

Managing AI agents requires a new blend of leadership skills: technical literacy to understand how AI works and soft skills to guide, instruct, and align AI outputs with business goals. Unlike traditional management that focuses solely on people, AI management demands both system-level thinking and hands-on understanding. It challenges the outdated belief that managers don’t need to understand the work itself, reinforcing that successful leadership in an AI-enabled workplace means combining strategy with deep operational insight.

While fears of job displacement persist, history suggests that technological advancements typically create more opportunities than they eliminate. Just as the industrial revolution sparked new industries and elevated living standards, AI’s productivity gains could unlock entirely new sectors and roles—including that of the AI manager. To prepare, individuals and companies must prioritize AI literacy, practical skills training, and critical thinking. The future will belong to those who not only adopt AI tools but know when—and how—to challenge them.