According to Chad Maxwell, President of KSM Media, as AI absorbs tasks like research and drafts that once defined early careers, media organizations are reckoning with what happens to people who learned by doing that work. Maxwell argues the industry is asking the wrong question, stating that efficiency and capability are not the same thing and confusing them may be the costliest mistake in the AI era. He does not see junior hiring as a question of urgency but of intentionality, emphasizing that leaders must be purposeful about designing roles and creating learning environments. Maxwell warns that AI should not justify investing less in people, as AI gives organizations more capacity while growing people creates capability. He looks for character over credentials, prioritizing curiosity, initiative, communication, adaptability, and "figure-it-outers." Regarding AI fluency, Maxwell does not expect candidates to be AI experts but looks for AI curiosity, receptivity, and discernment, including whether they use AI as a collaborator or to outsource their thinking.