Leaning into professional skills and what makes us human is the secret to unlocking the full potential of artificial intelligence at work.
When ChatGPT made its debut in November 2022, it changed the world forever. Not only did it become the fastest-growing consumer software application of all time, but it might also be the first wave of artificial intelligence-powered tools that promise to change how humans work, now and into the future. Some have even gone so far as to say that ChatGPT is leading the way for a fourth industrial revolution.
That’s why the majority of HR managers (58%) who participated in a recent survey by TalentLMS agree that the adoption of AI at work is increasing job insecurity among employees—especially those from older generations.
As a result, 43% of HR executives think their company will face a skills gap because of the rise of AI. That explains why HR managers predict that AI literacy will be a must-have skill for employees, regardless of whether they work in technical or non-technical roles. At the same time, just 14% of employees report receiving any AI training so far.
“To remain relevant all employees should be able to understand, interact with, and leverage AI technologies effectively,” says Thanos Papangelis, CEO and co-founder of Epignosis, the company that builds the TalentLMS learning management system.
I conducted an email interview with Papangelis to get his perspective on how organizations will continue to adopt to AI-powered tools like ChatGPT in the coming years, and what skills employees should focus on to thrive in the coming AI era.
An opportunity—and a threat
The generative power of what ChatGPT can do—producing reams of text in just seconds—truly boggles the mind. It’s no surprise then that just about every organization out there has begun experimenting with ways to leverage that power in one way or another, including automating restaurant drive-throughs.
A separate 2023 survey conducted by TalentLMS on the topic of AI tools like ChatGPT found that 76% of employees estimate that most daily tasks will be done with the help of AI over time.
Not surprisingly, nearly half of the respondents to that same survey (44%) said they fear that AI will replace them in the future.
“AI is a threat and an opportunity at the same time,” says Papangelis.
To adapt to this coming AI era, Papangelis says that employees should embrace the new technology, understanding that being able to use AI systems will help them remain competitive in the fast-evolving job market, adapt to changing work dynamics, and seize emerging roles that require AI integration.
Unlocking AI with professional skills
One of the most interesting and counterintuitive findings from the TalentLMS research is that the skills employees will need to thrive in the AI era go beyond coding or tech skills.
“Our survey showed that even in an era when artificial intelligence will dominate the world of work, soft skills will remain important,” says Papangelis. “In most cases, strong soft skills will help employees stand out and excel in the AI-driven workplace, while AI systems and tools will mainly take over processes and tasks that are repetitive.”
I have long preferred the term “professional” skills over “soft” skills, but I get Papangelis’s point—especially when you look at the three skills areas that HR managers say they will prioritize when looking to hire employees in the AI era:
- Interpersonal skills: Active listening, managing people, creating synergies;
- Cognitive skills: Problem-solving, creativity, originality, imagination, ability to learn;
- Self-management skills: Adaptability, decision-making and ownership, and planning.
When I asked Papangelis about why professional skills like these will matter when applied to AI, he told me that AI is not a substitute for skills like empathy, emotional intelligence, creativity and critical thinking.
“Professional and interpersonal skills play a crucial role in collaboration, problem-solving, and innovation, which are areas where AI often falls short,” he says. “Additionally, as AI becomes more integrated into the workplace, employees will need to work alongside AI systems, making effective communication and teamwork essential for achieving optimal results.”
In other words, it’s your humanity that will make you all the more valuable in the age of AI.
Why it’s humans who will make AI work
Despite AI’s impressive ability to process vast amounts of data and provide insights, it still lacks human-like cognitive abilities in certain areas.
“Human imagination, creativity, and problem-solving are essential skills for innovation, thinking outside the box, and tackling complex, non-routine challenges,:” says Papangelis. “AI will work with humans side by side and augment human decision-making. But it is still dependent on our input and prompts to function optimally, particularly in areas requiring creative problem-solving and imagination—especially for complex tasks.”
That’s why the most essential interpersonal skill according to HR managers is the ability to listen—a universal skill that is broadly applicable regardless of job role.
“Even in an AI-dominated world attentive listening builds bonds of understanding between people and leads to an environment of respect, enriched with diverse opinions,” says Papangelis. “Furthermore, AI implementation often involves collaborative efforts. Effectively communicating ideas, understanding the needs of various stakeholders, and managing teams are all essential for successful AI projects.”
Papangelis also notes that AI applications in areas such as customer service rely on understanding and addressing human preferences, emotions and concerns.
“Organizations can benefit from this skill on multiple fronts, from having exceptional teamwork and smooth workflows to building meaningful workplaces,” he says.
Room for skepticism
While it’s easy to be amazed by what AI tools like ChatGPT can do, it’s just as important to recognize that it remains far from perfect. For instance, AI algorithms are designed based on data inputs, which may include biases or inaccuracies. That’s why it remains crucial for people to remain skeptical in a healthy way and to fact-check the results that AI tools produce.
“Fact-checking the results, as well as mastering the art of AI prompts is definitely something that employees should get proper training on in order to be able to harness the full power of AI and avoid its risks,” says Papangelis.
I fully agree that the path forward with AI is not to avoid it, but to find ways to lean into it. That’s how we can truly turn AI from a threat into an opportunity—for everyone.
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