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Like the rest of the world, our team at Keypoint Intelligence is keeping a close eye on the constant evolution of artificial intelligence (AI). It goes without saying that AI is more than just a buzzword at this point. It is capable of revolutionizing business efforts organizations make, and we are already starting to see the impact. However, alongside its incredible potential lies the crucial need for literacy in AI. As previously discussed in another Key Point Blog, digital literacy—or the knowledgebase people have regarding technology—is vital when it comes keeping up in an increasingly digitally-driven world.
Future-Proofing Careers
This is something that I feel should be discussed right out of the gate. The future of work is undeniably intertwined with AI and automation, which is why learning how to use AI tools now is a proactive measure to future-proof one’s career. As AI continually advances, jobs may evolve and new positions may emerge, which is something we see with every new technological advancement. But with that can come anxiety and uncertainty. If there is one thing I’ve seen and heard in-person and online, it’s that people are concerned about possibly being replaced by AI. Can you blame them?
While these feelings are valid, it’s important to take a breath and acknowledge to yourself that your skills and knowledge are still needed. While many tasks can be automated by artificial intelligence, it is key to remember that AI is a tool. In a general sense, tools are used to serve as extensions of us to help us take on various tasks in our everyday lives. AI does just that, and knowing how to use the features they provide will keep individuals ahead of the competition. As I’ve previously stated, AI won’t be responsible for replacing jobs—but those who leverage the benefits to enhance their own performance will be more marketable and efficient in their work.
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With all of that in mind, how exactly can learning artificial intelligence benefit workers and business leaders in their day-to-day tasks?
AI influences the decision-making processes across a wide array of fields, including (but not limited to) finance, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. With diverse fields come diverse uses to improve how tasks are approached in all areas of work. AI learns and is driven by data; having access and an understanding of reliable data is vital for people to be able to make informed decisions. The major benefit here is how workers can pull and generate information quickly by leveraging AI, eliminating so much of the time that is spent on research and performing tedious tasks. People who are literate in AI have the potential to be more productive workers when it comes down to it, making more progress in their tasks as opposed to their coworkers who perhaps haven’t spent as much time familiarizing themselves with the AI tools of the trade.
With all of this hype and promise around AI nowadays, it is no wonder that incorporating AI tools into the workforce will revolutionize productivity, decision-making, and innovation. People utilizing AI, however, should not totally let AI take the wheel, as AI is not perfect. Without proper literacy, AI can perpetuate biases, reinforce discrimination, and compromise privacy based on how it is trained or used. We are still in the early days of having access to powerful AI tools for work, so it is important for people to be aware of the errors AI technology can make so it does not negatively impact their own work.
Keypoint Intelligence Opinion
While we don’t know the eventual impact of how many jobs will be automated, it is important for workers to stay positive and keep their focus on figuring out what they might have to adapt to in their respective fields. And, as mentioned before, AI isn’t perfect! A person’s expertise on a specific subject matter and understanding where they have an upper hand over AI will help secure jobs at the end of the day.
By embracing the power and capabilities of AI and taking the time to invest in learning how to utilize it, individuals can unlock new career possibilities and make greater contributions to their organization’s success. AI is a rapidly evolving field with new tools emerging at an exponential rate. In other words, there is still so much for everyone to learn! So, it would be best to stay up to date on the latest trends, research, and developments in AI to ensure that you are leveraging AI to its fullest potential for your own work processes.
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