As the workforce welcomes Gen Z alongside the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), flexibility and adaptability are crucial factors in building a successful career. Many workers fear that AI might eventually replace human jobs, leading to concerns about job security. However, for Gen Zers who grew up with technology, the expanding capabilities of AI present new opportunities for collaboration and innovation in the workforce. Although many employees haven’t been trained on how to use the technology, businesses are now creating guidelines to teach them the trade.
One of the benefits of AI is its ability to handle mundane and repetitive tasks, freeing up more time for creative and thought-provoking work. Gen Zers can capitalize on their digital skills to navigate the ever-changing technology landscape. Alexander Kvamme, CEO of Pathlight, a software company that focuses on using AI to improve customer service and team performance through data, encourages Gen Zers to think creatively and learn how to use the new tools available.
To alleviate the fear factor, many school faculty members and students are now keen on learning new technologies. Although AI intersects with various domains, it extends well beyond the confines of computer science and coding. Erin Reilly, the director of innovation and entrepreneurship at the Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas at Austin, notes that it requires various disciplines, including hustlers, hackers, and designers, to collaborate in imagining future possibilities.
Reilly doesn’t believe that AI will replace humans in the workforce, and her students seldom feel that fear either. However, it’s important to remain adaptable, learn, and experiment with new technologies to build a career. Understanding AI models, for instance, is a new skill that is becoming increasingly popular. Kvamme warns that those who do not embrace AI and its technologies risk being left behind. To compete for jobs with tech-savvy individuals, one will need to be adept in using them.
According to Reilly, learning new technologies, including AI, is relatively easy. Therefore, one needs to get on the bus early to avoid being left behind. The use of AI is transforming work experiences, and those who learn to use it to their advantage will likely thrive in the AI-driven workforce.
