Artificial Intelligence and the Workforce

Artificial Intelligence, aka “AI,” has become a genuine buzzword in the world of education and work. Usually, buzzwords stick around for just a little bit, and fly away (buzzzzz) out of sight when the next trend rears its head. But not AI! It’s a development that is sticking and growing, and it’s an issue that demands attention, especially for us worker bees.

For students, AI is a “Large Language Model” (LLM) that can help formulate outlines and guide projects using the lingo that prevails in any given subject. This is also true for job seekers: the LLM is lingo geared towards job descriptions, necessary skills, and industry standards. But “industry standards” differ from educational models because they are based on application, not theory… this essentially means that by understanding HOW you can use AI in your work, you’ll also recgnize WHICH AI skills will be in-demand.

Workforce-ready AI skills are not just the ability to compose prompts or to write the machine code; the skill sets are much more nuanced. For the future workforce, you will need to be able to identify good and useful data; recognize which tasks can be delegated to automation; and expand AI applications to provide the results you want. These are skills that as a job seeker, you’ll need to explain well on your resume and in your interviews.

While AI is a game-changer in the world of work, it is also the responsibility of the digital citizen to monitor its implications. The application of artificial intelligence is not just something to passively observe, as it directly affects all of us. For example, will it necessitate the need for Universal Basic Income, as more jobs functions will be automated? And because AI only reflects the data that has already been collected, how can we mitigate the biases that are inherent in this data? How much of the world’s finite resources in energy and mineral productions should go to the AI juggernaut?

The EU has already passed a law that places humans above AI; the Longshoremen are on currently on strike to protest the introduction of AI tools to their jobs. Thousands of people are already working as AI data collectors for pennies on the dollar. What kind of world do we want AI to be part of?

On Monday, October 7, join TWU Career Connections as we explore and discuss this topic in “Cookies & Careers: Careers and Artificial Intelligence.” We’ll meet in Pioneer Hall 105 from 12 pm to 1 pm while enjoying some cookies, too (a human-focused treat that AI can’t provide!). If you can’t make it in person, we’ll also stream it (necessitating virtual cookies). We hope to see you there!

By Robin Cole-Jett, M.Ed., M.A., CCSP
Robin Cole-Jett, M.Ed., M.A., CCSP Career Consultant, College of Business