AI Said to Eliminate Jobs, but This Role Sees 800% Surge in Hiring [Tech Talk]

Big Tech Prepares for AI Mass Deployment
Competition Heats Up to Recruit On-Site FDEs
Redesigning IT Networks for AI Compatibility

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Due to the exceptional coding capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI), the demand for software engineers has been declining at big tech companies. However, the three leading AI companies—Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic—have instead launched a fierce competition to secure 'Forward Deployed Engineers (FDEs).' FDEs are a new type of programming profession born in the AI era. These specialists are stationed on-site at client companies and resolve AI-related issues.

Programmers Losing Ground to AI... FDE Job Openings Soar Eightfold

Google engineers. Screenshot of Google YouTube

On May 12 (local time), Google announced the establishment of an FDE team within its cloud division. These engineers will be responsible for connecting Google’s AI products with corporate clients. Two days prior to Google’s announcement, OpenAI revealed that it would launch a new subsidiary called the 'OpenAI Deployment Company.' FDEs belonging to OpenAI will deliver chatbot systems such as ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, to other companies. Last November, Anthropic had already announced a bold investment plan to increase its FDE workforce fivefold.

FDEs, also known as on-site engineers, have become the most sought-after occupation in the IT industry. According to the U.S. job platform Indeed, FDE job postings in the United States surged by 800% from January to September of last year compared to the previous year. This is a sharp contrast to IT companies’ trend of reducing programmer hiring due to aggressive AI investments and management streamlining strategies.

Building AI-Optimized IT Environments On-Site for Clients

Computer network device in the server room. Pixabay

FDEs are engineers who work on-site at client premises to address their specific needs. Just as the military deploys troops to the front lines—hence the term 'forward deployed'—these engineers are placed at the forefront of business operations. OpenAI describes FDEs on its blog as those who “work closely with client teams on the ground to identify areas where AI can have the greatest impact and redesign organizational infrastructure and core workflows to fit AI.”

The FDE role reflects the maturity of the AI industry. AI is now moving beyond the research and development phase and is on the verge of mass deployment. 'Agent AI' is being integrated into internal networks to automate a wide range of tasks. However, most companies still have IT environments that are ill-suited for AI: data may be disorganized, cybersecurity weak, or server infrastructure unsuitable for running AI systems. FDEs enter client organizations to overhaul IT systems so that costly AI solutions can deliver maximum performance.

Palantir Was the Pioneer... Some Skeptics Call Them “Just Consultants”

Palantir is a company that pioneered the Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) business model. Photo by Alex Karp, Palantir CEO. Palantir

The original FDEs came from Palantir, a U.S. defense technology company. Due to the nature of its work with intelligence agencies and the military, Palantir adopted strict security measures. However, FDEs evolved beyond simply providing security; the role was so well received in commercial settings that it drove Palantir’s growth, and now the FDE business model is spreading not only among big tech but also within the AI sector. In South Korea, LG CNS announced in a conference call last April that it would nurture FDEs through a partnership with Palantir.

There are, however, doubts about the sustainability of the FDE craze. Traditionally, the job of installing unfamiliar IT systems to meet client needs has been performed by existing consulting firms and system integration (SI) providers, leading some to criticize that big tech companies are now taking work away from these incumbents.

Mario Gina Kuna, an American IT consultant and author, wrote in her newsletter that “FDE is nothing more than a rebranding of the consultant role,” adding, “While AI platforms may seem unfamiliar now, as technology advances, anyone will be able to adopt them easily.” She continued, “When that time comes, engineers will no longer be indispensable all-rounders,” further pointing out, “The enormous bonuses currently being offered will also return to normal.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.