AI agents are supercharging productivity, and anxiety, in tech - Marketplace

The advent of agentic artificial intelligence marks a significant shift in the tech industry, enabling AI programs to execute tasks autonomously beyond simple chatbot interactions. These agents can perform complex actions like booking flights, deleting junk emails, and even developing software, exemplified by tools like Anthropic's Claude Code and OpenAI's Codex. The trend has led to a new measure of success in Silicon Valley, moving from large headcounts to the size of an 'agent swarm'. While offering substantial productivity gains—like one tech veteran automating daily news reports and resume updates—this rapid technological evolution is also fueling considerable apprehension among tech workers. The swift pace of change, with job functions being disrupted in a matter of months, is causing an "identity crisis" as individuals question the value of their developed skills. This creates a stressful environment where simply doing more work doesn't necessarily translate to greater impact or leverage, leaving many feeling disoriented and struggling to keep pace with the evolving demands of the industry.