Essential AI skills for a thriving workforce

During Learning Technologies 2023, a prevalent theme among L&D thought leaders emerged: 'Developing Skills for Organisational Agility.'

This emphasised the pressing need to identify and bridge existing and future skills gaps within organisations. Amongst this need for versatile skill sets, the demand for artificial intelligence (AI) proficiency emerges as a focal point.

Understanding that organisational agility means keeping up with the latest technologies, it's really important to look into the specific problems and opportunities that come with improving AI skills in the team.

In a landscape where 44% of firms express a desire to invest in AI technology , a stark reality surfaces - 63% of businesses lack the essential AI skills required to utilise it within their workforce. This is exacerbated by limited understanding around skills for AI - 53% of respondents were not clear on what skills are needed for AI.

A YouGov survey reported by Learning News revealed that 54% of business leaders are apprehensive about their workforce's ability to capitalise on AI opportunities, with only 26% having undergone training to enhance their understanding of AI. Further compounding these issues are the concerns held by many workers of artificial intelligence putting jobs at risk.

A PwC study reported that 30% fear their roles could be replaced by technology within the next three years. This apprehension can create resilience in employees embracing AI in the way that business leaders desire.

The interplay between skill development, AI integration, and workforce concerns forms a dynamic landscape that organisations must navigate strategically to thrive in the AI era.

Will we lose our jobs to AI?

In a March study, Goldman Sachs suggested that AI could “expose the equivalent of 300 million full-time jobs to automation”, an example of the reports that are raising such significant job concerns.

However, in the same report they add a much more positive perspective, that “they could drive a 7% (or almost $7 trillion) increase in global GDP and lift productivity growth by 1.5 percentage points over a 10-year period”.

The predicted impact of AI, rendering specific jobs redundant for individuals, is negative. However, for businesses, the overall picture is positive due to AI's efficiency and speed. This creates a tension— at an organisational level there is an eagerness to embrace AI for competitiveness while the individuals within them may resist due to their concerns.

The Goldman Sachs report suggests the majority of jobs are only partially exposed to automation and emphasises that AI may by complementary and cause an evolution of job roles. However, there are a number of jobs that will most likely change in their nature, or cease to exist in their current forms.

As The Times article ‘Will AI Take My job?’ picks out from the research:

• Administration, legal professions, architecture and engineering are among the sectors likely to be most affected
• Up to 46% of tasks in administrative sectors could be replaced by AI
• In the legal field it is forecast that up to 44% of tasks could become automated

The Limitations of AI

AI won’t replace the human workforce. Despite the concerns surrounding potential job displacement, it is crucial to recognise the limitations of AI at work, offering reassurance that most jobs are unlikely to be entirely replaced.

Firstly, roles that involve physical activities remain significantly resistant to automation.

Physical Roles are Resistant to artificial intelligence Automation, for example:

• Jobs requiring physical presence, with locations differing day to day
• intricate design and craftsmanship
• maintenance work involving complex problem-solving and manual expertise
• occupations demanding spatial awareness and physical coordination
• roles in unpredictable environments where quick decision-making and adaptability are crucial

These examples remind us of the qualities humans bring to craftsmanship, construction, and technical expertise—qualities that remain beyond the reach of AI technologies.

Even in non-physical roles, AI struggles to replicate the nuanced aspects of human interactions, so think about the important soft skills so vital to most professions.

Roles with Nuanced Human Interaction are Resistant to artificial intelligence Automation, for example:

• the ability to interpret and respond to non-verbal cues, such as body language
• conveying empathy and understanding in sensitive situations
• fostering trust and building rapport through human connection
• leveraging intuition and gut feelings in decision-making processes

For instance, consider a healthcare practitioner providing emotional support to a patient or a customer service representative addressing nuanced customer concerns. These interpersonal dynamics require a depth of understanding and emotional intelligence that AI with its algorithmic nature, currently cannot emulate.

So, while AI technologies may augment certain tasks, the intricate, human-centric aspects of many occupations remain irreplaceable.

To do well in the future job market, employees need effective communications to reassure them that AI won’t be taking away their jobs. Instead, they should be supported in focusing on learning skills that let them use AI as a helpful tool.

The concern shouldn't be about losing jobs to AI; it should be about not keeping up with organisations and individuals who are adjusting and matching their skills to new technology.

Those who are least prepared are the ones at risk of losing their jobs in the future – and it is the organisation that needs to understand this, communicate this and provide their employees with AI training and opportunities to develop their skills.

7 Essential Skills for AI and other Emerging Technologies

Certain skills are becoming increasingly crucial for individuals and organisations to thrive in the AI era. This holds true not only for those working in the IT industry, or within technical roles; this is universal in the modern professional workforce, extending across industries and roles.

Here are seven skills that can help workers get better at adapting to emerging technologies, tools and platforms:

1. Adaptability and Flexibility:
   
   
   • Openness to change and trying new things
   • Agility in ways of working
   • Coping with uncertainty
     
     
2. Ability and Willingness to Learn:
   
   
   • Curiosity and a growth mindset
   • A commitment to lifelong learning
   • Connecting learning theory to practical purpose
     
     
3. Digital Literacy:
   
   
   • Proficiency in using digital tools and technologies
   • Familiarity with digital communication and collaboration platforms
   • Understanding of online security and data privacy
     
     
4. Data Analysis & Ethics:
   
   
   • Ability to collect, analyse, and interpret data
   • Competence in using data visualisation tools and techniques
   • Understanding data ethics and privacy
     
     
5. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving:
   
   
   • Capacity to analyse complex situations, identify challenges, and propose solutions
   • Ability to think creatively
   • Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
     
     
6. Collaboration and Communication:
   
   
   • Effective communication and interpersonal skills
   • Capacity to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams
   • Proficiency in virtual collaboration
     
     
7. Emotional Intelligence:
   
   
   • Self-awareness
   • Resilience
   • Strong interpersonal skills

Essential Skills for AI

 

Remember that not everyone in your team has to be good at all these AI skills. What's important is realising the different strengths each person brings and how they can help the team overall adapt to and welcome new technology and fill any organisation-wide skills gaps.

This builds a collaborative environment where individuals can complement each other's strengths. Embrace a strategic approach by identifying the specific skill sets essential to each role, and any skills gaps. his way, you can create a focused and effective plan tailored to the evolving technological landscape. 

AI Training for your workforce

To thrive in the digital age and maintain a competitive edge, organisations must prioritise learning and development strategies that equip employees with essential skills. This can be achieved by providing tailored training programmes, leveraging digital learning solutions, fostering collaboration, and equipping employees with the necessary resources.

What sort of AI training is available?

There is a whole host of AI training available now, it really is a booming industry. Give it a quick Google search and you’ll see a whole range of AI training courses. However, most of them are aimed at individuals aspiring towards careers in specialised artificial intelligence, or highly technical roles.

What you won’t find much of, is AI training designed for the broader workforce. From office staff to HR professionals, and from marketing teams to various other roles, there's a significant gap in accessible training around AI geared towards empowering individuals to integrate the use of AI tools into their daily tasks.

Example courses that pop in Google with a search of ‘AI Training’ :

• The Professional Certificate in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, which requires a background in coding or mathematics, and states that it is particularly relevant for IT and engineering professionals, data and analytics professionals, and STEM academics.
• ‘Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy’ , which covers areas such as how to gain strategic advantage through the use of different kinds of intelligence and robotics in business to evaluate the appropriateness of a business application for robotics.

There are now more resources being developed for employees providing insights into the use of AI in the workplace and how to embrace this technology.

For example, Bookboon, a self directed learning platform, (where employees can browse and consume resources on topics of interest to them), are adding to a library of learning materials around the topic of AI, and of digital skills in general.

These are the sorts of materials that we all need to be using to further our own personal development, to be able to thrive.

Titles of these resources that could help a wider range of employees than your tech specialists include:

• AI-Driven Productivity Hacks
• Navigating AI Anxiety
• Demystifying Artificial Intelligence
• The Impact of AI on Everyday Work

Resources:

https://digileaders.com/which-skills-do-organisations-need-for-emerging-tech/

https://bernardmarr.com/the-4-digital-skills-everyone-will-need-for-the-future-of-work/

https://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/careers-advice/future-skills-youll-need-your-career-2030

https://www.hrzone.com/talent/development/six-essential-human-skills-to-stay-competitive-in-the-age-of-ai