Navigating the New Frontier: How to Prepare for the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Imagine standing at the threshold of a new world, a technological frontier called Artificial Intelligence (AI). You may not be the captain of this ship, but you're definitely a crew member whose future will be shaped by this extraordinary journey.

AI is not a monolith; it comes in different shapes and sizes. Knowing the types of AI is crucial for understanding where your current skills might fit and what new skills you might need to acquire.

Let me share with you what I've been understanding lately…

• Narrow or Weak AI, often linked with Robotic Process Automation (RPA), might be the driving force behind improvements in customer service or operational efficiency.

• Supervised AI is used when labeled data is available to train the model, such as using historical sales data to predict future trends. According to Andrew Ng, it will be the type of AI that will be implemented the most in the next three years (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p248yoa3oE&t=940s).

• Unsupervised AI excels at data clustering and segmentation, useful in marketing and fraud detection.

• Reinforcement Learning can manage complex systems like logistics and energy consumption.

Looking ahead, there's GenAI, or General Artificial Intelligence (ChatGPT for example). This type of AI mimics human-like cognition to perform any intellectual task that a human being can do. It's not yet fully realized but holds the promise of game-changing applications in various fields. Its potential for handling complex, multi-faceted problems means it could revolutionize industries and even address societal challenges like climate change.

Each type of AI has its own set of requirements and ethical considerations, making understanding them key to your professional development.

Understanding what's involved in evaluating the feasibility of an AI initiative can offer clues about the competencies you'll need to develop.

• ROI (Return on Investment) and technical feasibility are not just concerns for the top brass; they're insights that can help you gauge how serious your company's commitment is to this emerging technology.

• Leadership isn't exclusive to executive roles. In the era of AI, grasping the ethical and governance complexities will make you a valuable team member.

• Finances also play a role. Knowing what investments are being made in AI can provide a clue as to how your own career may be shaped or even require adjustments.

• Data is the fuel for AI systems, and having a basic understanding of the importance of quality and data availability can be an asset, regardless of your role in the organization.

• In terms of skills and talent, the key issue is to identify gaps in your own skill set. Want to learn coding? Data analysis? Or perhaps ethics in AI? The important thing is to be proactive.

• Changes are on the way, and adaptability is a critical skill. If you understand the laws and security protocols associated with AI, you're adding another layer of competence to your professional profile.

• And while you may not be the one setting KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) for AI systems' performance, establishing your own personal KPIs can be an effective way to measure your growth and adaptation to this new era.

By carefully preparing to navigate through each of these elements, you're not just adapting to a rapidly evolving technological landscape, but also taking charge of your own professional development.

The field of AI is still sailing through uncharted waters, but those who prepare now will be well-positioned to grow along with it.