Closing the AI Skill Gap Together

The majority of generative AI (GenAI, e.g. ChatGPT) predictions point towards massive gain in productivity. Studies range from articles positing up to a 40% increase in efficiency (1) to forward-looking analyses by consultancies like Gartner and McKinsey with statements like “30 percent of hours currently worked across the US economy could be automated” (2).

We stand on the doorstep to a fantastic opportunity, but also a great challenge to get everyone on board with the change.

I’ve stitched together a few recent pieces and thoughts on this important subject💡. All references are at the end.


😃 It’s for everyone

For companies to harvest the full potential of GenAI will require more than simply hiring for new skills, it's about re/upskilling your current workforce. Everyone must be onboard, bridging the knowledge gap between those proficient in GenAI and those who aren't will be of major importance. Not doing so could significantly set back your company.


👥 Consider two perspectives

🏢 The Business Perspective: Investing in reskilling shall be a long-term strategic play, make it a core strategic pillar that gets full support from all the leadership layers.

👩‍💼 The Employee Perspective: Reskilling supplies a pathway for career development and job security. But it’s also tough challenge to our egos and worldviews, imagine your top skill can now be automated and you are forced to re-skill - that’s not fun 😬.

Having a clear “why” is helpful to get employees onboard.

A recent HBR (3) article stresses how employees are more willing to engage in reskilling when they understand its value and when programs are designed from their perspective.


🏆 Give GenAI a positive vibe through your project managers

Successful practitioners seem to agree that it’s important with a few early successful pilots under the belt to inspire others. It makes sense to start up-skilling project managers and have them taking active roles in the GenAI journey. Project managers often have a wide exposure to different functions and can help to understanding where the chance of successful GenAI pilots is the greatest.

❓ What's the one skill you're looking to upgrade for the AI era? ❓

📖 References
1. Navigating the Jagged Technological Frontier: Field Experimental Evidence of the Effects of AI on Knowledge Worker Productivity and Quality by Fabrizio Dell'Acqua, Edward McFowland, Ethan R. Mollick, Hila Lifshitz-Assaf, Katherine Kellogg, Saran Rajendran, Lisa Krayer, François Candelon, Karim R. Lakhani :: SSRN
2. https://www.mckinsey.com/mgi/our-research/generative-ai-and-the-future-of-work-in-america
3. https://hbr.org/2023/09/reskilling-in-the-age-of-ai