Dr. Matt Beane, author of The Skill Code, has spent over a decade studying what he calls the "novice optional" problem — the way advanced tools allow experts to solve complex problems independently, systematically cutting novices out of the learning experiences they need to develop real skill. Drawing on research across 32 contexts, from robotic surgery to bomb disposal, Beane argues that AI and automation are now accelerating this dynamic at unprecedented speed and scale, threatening to hollow out the next generation of talent across nearly every profession.

In this talk, you'll learn how to identify which subtasks within AI-assisted workflows are critical for novice skill development, why most AI deployment decisions are dangerously coarse, and what practical steps technology leaders can take to optimize for both productivity and skill growth simultaneously.