The Key To Staying Relevant In The Age Of AI

There is great debate in the world of work about who is going to be displaced first by artificial intelligence. Will it be the new hires? Middle management? Or is it more about specific roles and how easily AI can become good at what you’re already doing?

Depending on who you ask, the answer seems to be “all of the above.” But on a more hopeful note, the experts also agree that the way to survive, to thrive, in this new era is to prioritize skill-building, aka to never stop learning. What a concept!

According to the World Economic Forum it’s estimated that, by 2030, 39 percent of workers’ existing skill sets will be outdated, and about 59 percent of today’s workforce will need training to stay current.

Maybe I’m just a jaded Gen X-er with a floppy disk or two still lying around, but of course you have to keep learning. There will always be new skills to learn, another new work revolution on the way, another doomsday around the corner. (Remember Y2K?) And, I would argue, your ability to be agile and open to new possibilities has always been more important than any degree, title, or credential you might possess.

To come out on the right side of this new age of work (and likely the next one too), here’s some old tips for staying fresh:

Lose the labels

There’s no getting around it – AI is quickly taking on tasks that we are used to doing ourselves. And this means that our roles will shift. Writers will become editors. Doers will become reviewers. Job titles will mean less while our ability to flex, be creative, build new skills, and leverage new technology will mean more.

Get comfortable with discomfort

If you’re a knowledge worker, chances are the phrase “building the plane as we’re flying it” is being tossed around your organization. And for good reason. Whether it’s at a growing start-up (which are full of flying, half-built planes) or a major company undergoing yet another re-org, we’ve all experienced near-constant change. To surf it successfully, you have to embrace a shift in mindset. Instead of looking for threats, look for opportunity. What can you bring to shaping your team or company’s next phase?

Adopt a growth mindset

Speaking of mindset shifts – “never stop learning” is actually harder than it sounds. A lot of us were indoctrinated into fixed mindsets by our school systems, e.g., the gifted and talented program versus remedial tracks. The growth mindset, the belief that ability and intelligence can be built with time and effort, means that we all have the potential to adapt to this new work environment. Developing and acting with a growth mindset is critical for being at the forefront of change, which is a lot better than getting swept up in it.

The moral of the story? Don’t wait to be told what AI will mean for you. Chart your own path during this work revolution, and you’ll be even better positioned for the next one.