- “Glue work” refers to connective tasks such as team coordination, conflict resolution, and keeping projects running smoothly.
- Previously, these skills were considered “non-promotable,” not aiding advancement compared to technical skills.
- Many talented engineers saw their careers stalled because they spent too much time on glue work instead of writing code.
- AI is automating technical skills like programming, completely shifting the value of skills within organizations.
- The remaining skills—coordination, understanding context, communication, and seeing the big picture—are precisely what glue work entails.
- Employees skilled at coordination and managing AI hold an advantage over those who only excel in technical specialties.
- Glue work was often disproportionately assigned to women and junior staff, but has now become a core competency.
- Businesses need to re-evaluate and properly recognize the value of those performing “connective” work.
📌 Conclusion: AI is not just replacing jobs; it is inverting the skill value system. What was once overlooked, such as communication, coordination, and contextual understanding, has now become the most critical factor. In the AI era, success belongs not to those who perform a single task best, but to those who connect everything together effectively.
