3 Skills That Will Matter More in the Age of AI
This article is crossposted from IEEE Spectrum ’s careers newsletter. Sign up now to get insider tips, expert advice, and practical strategies, written i n partnership with tech career development company Parsity and delivered to your inbox for free! If you have kids, they’re probably back in school right now after the summer break. Mine are too. My kids range from 9 to 20 years old, and lately…
In the age of AI, three crucial skills will become increasingly vital for future generations entering the workforce. First and foremost is the ability to write effectively. With AI tools becoming more prevalent, researchers and engineers must learn to harness these technologies to accelerate their work while maintaining original thought.
Strong writing skills will help ensure clear communication and prevent the production of sloppily generated applications. Furthermore, writing teaches individuals to develop their own ideas, rather than relying on AI to manufacture opinions for them.
Another essential skill is the ability to speak confidently. In an era where digital connectivity is at an all-time high, but feelings of isolation persist, the importance of interpersonal communication has never been greater. Being able to express ideas in front of an audience, engage in productive disagreements, deliver captivating stories, and actively listen are all crucial components of effective speaking.
While AI can generate presentations with ease, it cannot convincingly convey ideas to a skeptical audience. This requires emotional intelligence and the ability to connect with others on a deeper level.
Lastly, learning to embrace boredom may prove to be the most difficult skill for individuals to develop in our modern, technology-driven society. With constant access to podcasts, notifications, videos, and AI-powered conversations, boredom has become nearly obsolete. However, boredom serves as a catalyst for original ideas and promotes independent thinking.
Instead of outsourcing the uncomfortable aspects of thinking to AI, individuals should learn to fill moments of stillness with their own mental wanderings. By doing so, they will be better equipped to navigate a future workforce filled with rapidly evolving technology and unpredictable AI advancements. Ultimately, cultivating these three skills—clear writing, confident speaking, and independent thinking—will ensure that students entering today's school systems are well-prepared to thrive in an AI-augmented world.
Written by urgent.news from IEEE Spectrum's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
