With the changes that new technology is bringing into the economy, including the world of work, employees and workers need to upgrade their skill set (upskill) or totally learn a new set of skills to be able to cope with the changes and continue to make themselves marketable, relevant or in demand in the current environment. A huge part of the adjustment has to do with the role that artificial intelligence (AI) plays in the world today and in the future.
The World Economic Forum’s “Future of Jobs Report 2018” examines this issue. The web site also contains the following “growing” skills, or the new set of skills that are in demand (and will continue to be in demand) as we move toward 2022. Here they are: analytical thinking and innovation; active learning and learning strategies creativity, originality and initiative; technology design and programming; critical thinking and analysis; complex problem solving; leadership and social influence; emotional intelligence; reasoning, problem solving and ideation; and systems analysis and evaluation.
On the other hand, the “declining” skills, or those that continue to become redundant as AI manages to take over these, are the following: Manual dexterity, endurance and precision; memory, verbal, auditory and spatial abilities; management of financial and material resources; technology installation and maintenance; reading, writing, math and active listening; management of personnel; quality control and safety awareness; coordination and time management; visual, auditory and speech abilities; and technology use, monitoring and control.
It is very important for people, the report suggests, to take full responsibility for their lifelong learning and career development. In other words, to become relevant at this time, we can’t be complacent and resistant to change and development. And the changes or transformations that we need to undertake will essentially start with us. That means not relying on our school system (which leaves a lot to be desired) and the trainings being offered by employers (as these may not be enough, as well). It involves a lot of starting on our own, searching for our personal learning paths, and finding new ways of gaining expertise and knowledge.
The medical advances and technological developments are related to this issue as the lifespan of man is now a lot longer than it was some years ago. We all enjoy the opportunity to live up to a hundred years, or even longer than that. With this in mind, it becomes even more important to be able to “reinvent ourselves quickly and repeatedly” as we go through our long(er) life. To be able to meet the challenges of the present, and more especially of the future, and also to effectively manage careers that are likely to increase by years, we need to be responsible for our personal development. And not only that, we need to be strategic and wise about our moves toward self-growth.