Signal Collapse: Emerging Proof of Work in AI Era

Over the last several decades, maintaining physical fitness served as the quintessential proof of work. It was something money alone couldn't purchase; it demanded genuine effort. Unless blessed with elite genetics in the top 5%, individuals had to sculpt their bodies through disciplined nutrition a

Over the last several decades, maintaining physical fitness served as the quintessential proof of work. It was something money alone couldn't purchase; it demanded genuine effort. Unless blessed with elite genetics in the top 5%, individuals had to sculpt their bodies through disciplined nutrition and consistent physical training.

Then, a groundbreaking development occurred. The introduction of GLP-1 agonists, such as Ozempic, transformed the landscape. Suddenly, achieving a superior physique became achievable with just a single weekly injection. Consequently, the traditional indicator of fitness lost much of its prestige, as it could now be obtained without the rigorous physical labor it once required.

A parallel transformation is unfolding in the realm of writing. In the past, writing was a meticulous craft that involved hours of deep contemplation over ideas before committing them to paper or screen. Nowadays, that intensive process is obsolete. Large language models can produce an endless stream of text on demand, effortlessly.

This shift accounts for the surge in book publications I observed in 2025, surpassing anything in recent memory—particularly from authors who rarely wrote before. It's an intriguing phenomenon, isn't it?

That said, over-reliance on artificial intelligence often results in subpar output. Regardless, the written word has diminished significantly as a reliable marker of intellectual depth or laborious effort compared to its former status.

I term this phenomenon signal collapse, and it's recurring across numerous fields. Take coding, for instance: it was once a steadfast indicator of technical prowess and commitment. However, with tools like OpenAI's Codex and Anthropic's ClaudeCode, that reliability is waning.

Recent doomsday pieces on AI have only amplified this trend. On February 9, Matt Schumer published Something Big is Happening, followed by Citrini's The 2028 Global Intelligence Crisis on February 22—both of which exploded in popularity.

While I disagree with many specifics in these pieces, their overarching direction rings true. Society is hurtling toward greater dependence on LLM-driven intelligence, not away from it. In this emerging reality, countless signals that once authentically conveyed value are becoming simpler to imitate.

So, how do we authentically demonstrate our worth moving forward? What constitutes the fresh proof of work?

The Emerging Proof of Work

In an era overwhelmed by effortless outputs, here are several strategies to convincingly signal dedication and quality:

• Leverage Your History: If you mastered a skill prior to its widespread commoditization, make that legacy prominent. Emphasize it boldly. Proving you achieved proficiency before tools made it accessible demonstrates your readiness to invest real effort in expertise. Even more crucially, it reveals a authentic passion for the domain. For example, when choosing between a programmer with two decades of hands-on experience and one who jumped in via AI just recently, the seasoned professional wins hands down. Although factual knowledge is getting democratized through LLMs, irreplaceable elements like practical experience, refined taste, and sharp judgment remain highly sought after. This dynamic explains the dramatic rise in top lawyers' hourly rates amid surging AI adoption.

• Regrettably, this approach offers little to newcomers, but it provides a blueprint for career construction.

• Do Deep Work: The capacity for sustained focus is emerging as a rare superpower and a potent signal. Amid constant distractions, individuals who dedicate weeks, months, or even years to a singular endeavor will rise above the crowd. Cal Newport popularized this concept in his book Deep Work. You can showcase this ability by tackling endeavors demanding prolonged concentration, such as intricate projects, original content creation, or groundbreaking research. The average person struggles to maintain focus for a single uninterrupted hour without reaching for their phone or scrolling social feeds. Mastering this skill grants an overwhelming advantage across all pursuits. In a fragmented attention economy, zeroing in on one task at a time becomes an extraordinary edge.

• Command Attention: Attention itself is a currency worth capturing. In our hyper-distracted world, securing and holding people's focus proves you've delivered something truly worthwhile. This doesn't necessitate social media fame; cultivating attention within a local community or specialized niche can be equally impactful as broad online reach. You needn't pivot to full-time content creation, but building and retaining an engaged audience—or community—will yield substantial rewards. I anticipate this will prove especially vital for in-person gatherings starting in 2026 and continuing onward.

• Embrace the Machine: Rather than resisting AI, integrate it as an ally to amplify your potential. As the adage goes, AI won't replace you—someone wielding AI effectively will. The optimal defense is to become that proficient user. No need to become an AI guru, but familiarize yourself sufficiently to augment your skills and stay current with evolving tools. This not only signals seriousness about the shift but also underscores your adaptability.

Don't just heed my advice alone. Back in 2016, Cal Newport's Deep Work foresaw advantages in a digital economy for specific groups:

In this new economy, three groups will have a particular advantage: those who can work well and creatively with intelligent machines, those who are the best at what they do, and those with access to capital.

Newport's framework aligns neatly with the strategies outlined:

• Those who work well with intelligent machines = Embrace the Machine
• Those who are the best at what they do = Leverage Your History + Do Deep Work
• Those with access to capital = Command Attention

I've substituted capital with attention here, as attention increasingly functions as the modern equivalent of capital.

No matter your chosen path, a profound economic restructuring is underway, with ramifications unfolding over years. Some predict this will render human labor redundant—a view I doubt, though indicators exist.

Consider the U.S. nonfarm business sector's labor share, which has dropped roughly 15% since 2000. As illustrated in the chart below, this share remained stable from 1947 to 2001 but has steadily eroded thereafter.

Unusual economic patterns are also surfacing. Kelly Evans described a jobless boom, where robust growth occurs alongside a sluggish labor market. This defies historical norms, where expansion and employment typically synchronized. Those patterns appear decoupled now.

Lately, I've delved more into AI topics than typical for a personal finance and investing blog. There's purpose behind it. Sticking rigidly to market validation pieces, like those reinforcing Just Keep Buying, would shortchange readers.

The reality is, your career trajectory will influence your financial life far more than market fluctuations.

Markets undeniably play a role, but income streams hold greater sway. The ways AI reshapes your sector matter profoundly. Navigating signal collapse effectively matters even more.

To remain truly valuable, I must tackle these evolving challenges head-on. As future signals continue to shift, adapting alongside them ensures long-term success.