The 2024 Microsoft Work Trends Index found that 55% of leaders are concerned about a lack of talent to fill roles as AI skills become increasingly important. While many professionals worry that AI will replace their jobs, the majority of leaders are more worried about not having enough skilled employees. Corporate leaders are more likely to hire a less experienced candidate with AI skills than a more experienced candidate without them, highlighting the demand for individuals who can learn AI skills. However, big companies have been slow to integrate AI technology and upskill their talent pools.
Despite executives recognizing the need for AI adoption to stay competitive, the pressure to generate immediate returns on investment has hindered the transition to AI in the workplace. As a result, employees are taking matters into their own hands and learning to use AI tools on their own. While upskilling in AI can provide a competitive edge, there are risks involved in self-learning AI. One of the main issues is that many people do not know how to use AI tools safely and effectively, potentially putting sensitive personal or company data at risk. Learning to use AI tools safely and effectively is essential for individuals looking to upskill at home.
According to experts, one of the top AI skills to learn today is effectively communicating with existing AI-powered algorithms like large language models (LLMs) such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Microsoft’s Copilot, and Google’s Gemini. When working with LLMs, it is important to provide the AI with a lot of context and be specific in prompts to ensure the desired outcome. Treating AI as a hardworking intern who may occasionally make mistakes can help individuals effectively work with AI tools. By practicing and using AI tools, individuals can learn how to generate outcomes that align with their goals, transforming their work processes and increasing efficiency.
While online resources such as ChatGPT and other AI tools may appear free to the user, experts caution that the real cost lies in the data that is being shared. Data is a commodity that users are trading when using free AI tools, and it is important not to use personal or company data when utilizing these resources. The best way to upskill in AI tools at home is through practice and experience, learning how to provide descriptive prompts to generate desired outcomes. Despite AI tools currently seeming unfamiliar, experts predict that by next year, using AI tools will become as commonplace as using a spell-checker in Microsoft Word, highlighting the importance of developing AI skills for future success.
