The 2024 Moment
‘Prompt engineer’ was a novel title with $300K salaries. Hype cycle peaked; specialization seemed permanent. It wasn’t.
What Happened
Prompt engineering became a horizontal skill. Every AI practitioner — ML engineers, data scientists, software engineers, product managers — writes prompts as part of their job. The specialist title evaporated.
Skills Still Matter
Prompt skill still differentiates practitioners. Understanding model quirks, context structure, chain-of-thought, few-shot patterns — high-leverage craft. But it’s a skill, not a career. Treat it that way.
Career Path Implication
If you were investing in prompt engineering as a career in 2024, shift now. Move into AI engineering (systems building), evaluation, LLMOps, or product management with AI depth. The specialist title is a dead end.