Listen up, folks! The future isn't about us versus the robots. No, it's much more like a buddy movie with us and AI saving the day. The catch? We've gotta find that sweet balance between investing in human skills and technological prowess, and strategically plan how we're going to bring in and keep the right talent.
👫 The Dynamic Duo: Humans & AI
Remember how on track teams, you'd sprint against your teammate in the 100-yard dash, but in a relay race, you'd pass that baton and root for them? That's the way of the future: simultaneously working with and competing against machines.
🔍 Humans: Your Skills, Your Superpowers
💪 Cooperative skills: Working with our AI sidekicks requires a little more than turning them on and off. You need the savvy to interpret AI-generated insights, understand when human intervention is required, and navigate the ethics of AI-powered decisions. Key skills include understanding and validating data, being AI literate, and communicating effectively with AI. No, you don't need to speak binary!
💼 Competitive skills: Here's where you shine! These are skills the robots haven't quite nailed yet. Think emotional intelligence, big-picture thinking, creativity, and critical thinking. Like a superhero with a unique power, these abilities set you apart and keep you indispensable.
🤖 AI: Their Skills, Their Superpowers
💡 Cooperative skills: To be a real team player, AI systems need to speak our language (that's where natural language processing comes in), explain their decision-making process (the mysterious 'explainability'), adapt and personalize based on user interactions, and have a knack for context.
📈 Competitive skills: AI has some tricks up their sleeve too. They're exceptional at complex calculations and analyzing data, can generate unique outputs, and have an unmatched ability to scale operations efficiently.
🏁 A Sprint with (and against) the Machines
Balancing the cooperative and competitive skills of humans and AI is a bit like juggling flaming torches. Here's some food for thought:
📊 Data democratization: Think about data like you'd think about your favorite pizza joint - it should be accessible to everyone, everywhere! Use the vast insights AI systems can provide to fine-tune workflows, make data-driven decisions, and understand customer needs better.
👩💻 External skills reservoir: Keeping up with the rapid pace of skill evolution can feel like trying to sprint on a treadmill. If your organization is struggling, don't forget about the outside talent pool! Freelancers, gig workers, and the like often keep their skills fresher than a hot baguette.
🌍 Geography schmeography: Why limit yourself to local talent when you've got the whole world at your fingertips? Technical work can be done from Timbuktu to Toronto - so make the most of this era of remote work.
Balancing the skills of humans and AI brings us to a place of 'coopetition'. Sounds like a weird type of bird, right? But it's actually a fascinating hybrid of cooperation and competition, where humans leverage their partnership with machines while also staying ahead with their own unique skills. This mix keeps us relevant, indispensable, and ready for the next chapter of work.
So, let's get ready to sprint with (and against) our new AI coworkers! 🏃♀️🏃♂️
And that's the scoop on the AI revolution, my fellow future-proofers! Remember, when your smart toaster starts asking for a promotion, you read it here first. Until next time, keep racing the machines, and winning!
To your success,
Chris Winfield Founder, Understanding AI