The article argues that as AI automates data queries, pipelines, and models, the real value shifts to “measurement engineers” who decide if we’re measuring the right things and interpret ambiguous results. It breaks down why judgment—construct validity, reliable metrics, and decision theory—is a teachable skill that organizations must build into hiring, training, and structure.

Understanding the effectiveness of new AI models can take months, as initial impressions often misrepresent their capabilities. Traditional evaluation methods are unreliable, and personal interactions yield subjective assessments, making it difficult to determine whether AI progress is truly stagnating or advancing.