Chapter 3. Professions do not disappear. They split into tasks
Practicum page for Chapter 3 of When Intelligence Became Cheap. Version: 2026-07-09.
Why this page exists
The chapter gives you a method: look at the tasks inside a profession instead of treating the profession as one block. This page brings together the materials you need to apply that method to your week and to specific roles.
What to do in 30 minutes
- Complete the one-week inventory with 10 to 15 real tasks from your calendar and messages. You can also use the browser-based week inventory tool.
- Sort the tasks into three baskets: 🟢 AI alone / 🟡 person + AI / 🔴 person only.
- Find your role in the profession catalog. It has 12 reviews that use the same format: task baskets, red flags, and a minimum tool stack. If your exact role is missing, search by task.
- Mark 1 or 2 tasks where you should shift your effort from the cheap basket to the expensive one.
Chapter materials
| Material | What it gives you |
|---|---|
| Profession catalog | 13 roles: what to automate, which tools to use, and where not to automate |
| Data review | findings from GDPval · Anthropic Economic Index · O*NET |
| Week inventory | a worksheet for tasks, baskets, and the value levers from Chapter 2 |
| Browser tool | the same inventory with an exposure calculation |
Where to go next
The full route is in the Volume 1 workbook. This is Step 2. The next chapter covers the career ladder and entry into a profession.
How to maintain this page
- Every profession page must show the date of its assessment. Review task baskets every six months.
- Do not create empty profession pages. One complete example is better than a catalog with no content.