[enduser]

I've worked as both an IC and EM over the course of 25 years. The best part of being an IC is crafting solutions to single-human-sized problems—without needing to deal much with people. The best part of being an EM is directing the creation of larger solutions, sometimes vastly larger solutions, at the cost of dealing with people stuff.

AI takes the craft out of being an IC. IMO less enjoyable.

AI takes the human management out of being an EM. IMO way more enjoyable.

Now I can direct large-scope endeavors and 100% of my time is spent on product vision and making executive decisions. No sob stories. No performance reviews. Just pure creative execution.