# AI will only help those with agency Source: [AI will only help those with agency](https://dejiolowe.com/2026/03/30/ai-will-only-help-those-with-agency/) by Adedeji Olowe. Companion files: [HTML](ai-will-only-help-those-with-agency-gpt5-chat-1.html) | [RDF Turtle](../rdf/ai-will-only-help-those-with-agency-gpt5-chat-1.ttl) ## Overview This Markdown rendition mirrors the RDF-backed HTML analysis. The core thesis is that [AI tools](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdejiolowe.com%2F2026%2F03%2F30%2Fai-will-only-help-those-with-agency%2F%23aiTools) widen the outcome gap because access is common, but [agency](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdejiolowe.com%2F2026%2F03%2F30%2Fai-will-only-help-those-with-agency%2F%23agency), [taste](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdejiolowe.com%2F2026%2F03%2F30%2Fai-will-only-help-those-with-agency%2F%23taste), [grit](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdejiolowe.com%2F2026%2F03%2F30%2Fai-will-only-help-those-with-agency%2F%23grit), and [curiosity](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdejiolowe.com%2F2026%2F03%2F30%2Fai-will-only-help-those-with-agency%2F%23curiosity) are unevenly distributed. ## Core Claims - [AI amplifies people who already move with intent](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdejiolowe.com%2F2026%2F03%2F30%2Fai-will-only-help-those-with-agency%2F%23agency): The article argues that AI does not originate effort. It lowers friction between intention and execution, which makes inaction more visible. - [Equal access does not create equal outcomes](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdejiolowe.com%2F2026%2F03%2F30%2Fai-will-only-help-those-with-agency%2F%23equalToolAccess): AI tools may be widely available to founders, competitors, customers, and new entrants, but the distribution of outcomes still depends on human traits. - [Product barriers are thinning](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdejiolowe.com%2F2026%2F03%2F30%2Fai-will-only-help-those-with-agency%2F%23barrierToEntry): The internal HRMS story leads to a strategic question: if a small team can build an HR tool, what stops someone else from building a competing product? - [Taste is the quality-control layer](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdejiolowe.com%2F2026%2F03%2F30%2Fai-will-only-help-those-with-agency%2F%23taste): AI can produce acceptable work, but without a standard for what good looks like, output can remain generic and undifferentiated. - [Iteration requires staying power](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdejiolowe.com%2F2026%2F03%2F30%2Fai-will-only-help-those-with-agency%2F%23grit): The author treats prompt, response, review, and refinement as the real work. The tool does not continue refining in the background by itself. - [Curiosity turns generated output into learning](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdejiolowe.com%2F2026%2F03%2F30%2Fai-will-only-help-those-with-agency%2F%23curiosity): Curious users probe responses, test variations, and keep improving, while surface-level use tends to produce common work. - [The top 1 percent gap may widen](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdejiolowe.com%2F2026%2F03%2F30%2Fai-will-only-help-those-with-agency%2F%23topOnePercentGap): The article predicts that AI will make highly agentic people dramatically better and widen the distance from people who do not develop the necessary habits. ## HowTo: Use AI With Agency 1. Start with a real problem: Use AI against a concrete workflow or decision, not a vague desire to experiment. 2. Take the first action: Write the first prompt, build the first screen, draft the first outline, or clean up the first artifact. 3. Apply taste: Compare the output against a clear internal standard and identify what is still weak. 4. Iterate with grit: Keep refining through several passes instead of accepting the first workable answer. 5. Probe with curiosity: Ask why the answer works, test variations, and use the interaction to discover better options. 6. Ship and learn: Release the best version currently within reach, then use feedback to keep improving. ## FAQ ### [What does the article mean by agency?](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdejiolowe.com%2F2026%2F03%2F30%2Fai-will-only-help-those-with-agency%2F%23faq-question-1) Agency means initiating work, directing the tool, and following through instead of waiting for AI to create momentum. ### [Why does the author say everyone has the same tools?](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdejiolowe.com%2F2026%2F03%2F30%2Fai-will-only-help-those-with-agency%2F%23faq-question-2) Because useful AI tools for writing, coding, and internal work are broadly available to founders, employees, customers, and competitors. ### [Why is taste important when using AI?](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdejiolowe.com%2F2026%2F03%2F30%2Fai-will-only-help-those-with-agency%2F%23faq-question-3) Taste lets a user know when an output is merely acceptable and when it needs more refinement to become distinctive or excellent. ### [How does grit change AI outcomes?](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdejiolowe.com%2F2026%2F03%2F30%2Fai-will-only-help-those-with-agency%2F%23faq-question-4) Grit keeps the user engaged through the iterative loop where most quality gains happen. ### [What role does curiosity play?](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdejiolowe.com%2F2026%2F03%2F30%2Fai-will-only-help-those-with-agency%2F%23faq-question-5) Curiosity drives probing, testing, and exploration, turning AI from a one-shot answer machine into a learning and improvement partner. ## Glossary - [Agency](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdejiolowe.com%2F2026%2F03%2F30%2Fai-will-only-help-those-with-agency%2F%23agency): The human capacity to initiate and sustain action around a goal. - [Taste](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdejiolowe.com%2F2026%2F03%2F30%2Fai-will-only-help-those-with-agency%2F%23taste): A practical quality standard for judging whether work is good enough. - [Grit](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdejiolowe.com%2F2026%2F03%2F30%2Fai-will-only-help-those-with-agency%2F%23grit): Persistence through slow, boring, or iterative parts of meaningful work. - [Curiosity](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdejiolowe.com%2F2026%2F03%2F30%2Fai-will-only-help-those-with-agency%2F%23curiosity): Exploratory pressure that asks why, tests alternatives, and pushes beyond first outputs. - [Thinning barrier to entry](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdejiolowe.com%2F2026%2F03%2F30%2Fai-will-only-help-those-with-agency%2F%23barrierToEntry): Reduced difficulty of building products because AI compresses development effort. - [Equal tool access](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdejiolowe.com%2F2026%2F03%2F30%2Fai-will-only-help-those-with-agency%2F%23equalToolAccess): A condition where many people can access the same tools but still produce different results. - [World-class output](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdejiolowe.com%2F2026%2F03%2F30%2Fai-will-only-help-those-with-agency%2F%23worldClassOutput): The article's implicit benchmark for whether AI-enabled work is truly excellent. ## Sources - [Source article](https://dejiolowe.com/2026/03/30/ai-will-only-help-those-with-agency/) - [Freshteam](https://www.freshworks.com/freshservice/business-teams/) - [Freshworks](https://www.freshworks.com/) - [Zoho](https://www.zoho.com/) - [OpenAI Codex](https://openai.com/codex/) - [J. K. Rowling](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._K._Rowling) - [Carbon](https://www.getcarbon.co/) - [Ngozi Dozie](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ngozidozie/) - [Ngozi Dozie Claude Code post](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7430193640561532928/) ## Attribution Generated with [gpt5-chat](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdejiolowe.com%2F2026%2F03%2F30%2Fai-will-only-help-those-with-agency%2F%23gpt5ChatInterface) in [Codex desktop](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdejiolowe.com%2F2026%2F03%2F30%2Fai-will-only-help-those-with-agency%2F%23codexDesktopEnvironment) using [rdf-infographic-skill](https://github.com/OpenLinkSoftware/ai-agent-skills/tree/main/rdf-infographic-skill). Resolver pattern: Visible domain entities use [URIBurner describe links](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/fct) via the `{cname}/{describe}/{query}` pattern, as in `https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?url={uri}`, over RDF hash IRIs.