In today’s rapidly evolving job market and the broader economy, the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) sparks a blend of awe, opportunity, and angst. AI’s growing influence on workplaces is undeniable, and it’s easy to see that this might ultimately lead to changes in job requirements and skills.

If you’re reading my blog, you probably care about your career progression and taking steps to ensure that you have a resilient career – regardless of any bumps on the road you encounter. I’ve been reflecting on what I want my clients to know and understand so they are beneficiaries of AI rather than collateral damage.

Here are some of my current thoughts (if you missed earlier AI-themed articles, scroll to the bottom of this post for a list).

Get up to speed on the basics.

Begin by educating yourself about what AI truly is and how it’s being applied in your industry. Understanding its capabilities, limitations, and areas of application demystifies AI and helps you identify how it can become a tool rather than a threat. Start with free online courses, YouTube videos produced by credible people, and webinars. One book I enjoyed listening to on Audible is Scary Smart by Mo Gawdat. It’s non-technical, but it helped me understand the potential scale and impact of AI. 

Cultivate an AI-complementary Skillset

In a previous blog, I recommended developing qualities and skills that are uniquely human as a good hedge against the AI revolution. AI excels at pattern recognition, data processing, and executing clearly defined tasks, but there are areas where humans distinctly outshine AI:

• Emotional intelligence: Skills like empathy, persuasion, and understanding nuanced human emotions are beyond AI’s reach. For a hilarious example, check out this podcast episode that features a conversation between the podcast co-hosts and an AI companion named DAN. As advanced as DAN is, he’s no match for these real people.
• Adaptability and strategic thinking: Humans can navigate uncharted territories and make decisions based on incomplete information, something AI struggles with. I’ve played around with generative AI and noticed that it comes to inaccurate conclusions. This is a great reminder that there’s still plenty of room for having expertise and knowledge so that you can make better use of AI-related tools and output.

Prioritize Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking

We humans can think beyond the algorithm. AI can provide data-driven insights, but interpreting these insights, understanding their implications, and making strategic decisions require human thought. Develop your problem-solving skills by engaging with complex projects, participating in brainstorming sessions, and practicing critical thinking exercises. Apply a critical and questioning mindset to AI-generated outputs to identify flaws, anomalies or insights that AI might not have captured properly.

Keep in Touch with Your Network

Your network and your net worth. You may have heard an expression that links your net worth to your network. One example of how this plays out is that people who are successful over the long term usually have well-developed, deep, and broad networks. By this, I mean they know many people, and those people know them. This can be quite different from someone’s “follower count” on social media platforms.

When we are meaningfully connected to a range of people, we’re exposed to information we may not have access to in any other context.

AI models have been built on content that’s been available online. Thankfully, there is still valuable information, experiences, and context that has not been shared online. That means it’s absent from AI models.

Keep engaging with peers, mentors, and industry groups to share insights and experiences related to your work, their work, and potential AI developments. Your networks can provide advanced notice of industry shifts, recommend training resources, and offer advice on adapting to new technologies.

If you’ve neglected or overlooked networking, I encourage you to search my blog for past articles on this topic.

Nurture your ability to adapt.

Prepare to pivot. During the pandemic, many people became tired of the concept of pivoting or becoming more resilient. Just because those words were overused doesn’t make the concepts useless. The fact is that our ability to adapt to change and rebound from setbacks is crucial in a landscape continuously reshaped by AI. Cultivate resilience by seeking feedback, reflecting on successes and failures, and developing strategies to manage stress and change. Flexibility and resilience not only help you navigate the challenges of an AI-enhanced workplace but also position you as a leader others can turn to in times of uncertainty.

In an AI-enhanced job market and workplaces, people who blend their inherent human qualities with a deep understanding of how to effectively use technology will stand out. Hopefully, this mini-primer will help you transform the potential challenges associated with  AI into an opportunity for growth, innovation, and enduring relevance. Remember, the future belongs to those who are prepared to co-evolve with AI, leveraging it as a powerful ally in their ongoing pursuit of excellence.

Other AI-related resources from the I/O Advisory Services Career, Leadership, and HR blog:

• How to stay relevant in the era of artificial intelligence
• Think your job’s immune from being replaced by technology … think again.
• The Robots are Coming … and They’re Bringing Automation

Did this article spark any career-related questions, plans or concerns?

Reach out today for a free and confidential initial consultation by phone, email, or via direct message on Twitter/X, Facebook or LinkedIn.

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If you enjoyed this topic or are interested in ongoing professional and leadership development, you’ll also enjoy reading or listening to How to Be Resilient in Your Career: Facing up to Barriers at Work, my book that was published in February 2023 by Routledge. It’s available in print, as an eBook, and on Audible.

More than career coaching, it’s career psychology®.

I/O Advisory Services Inc. – Building Resilient Careers and Organizations ^TM.