Your AI revolution: Skills you need to know for the future of work

If you’re feeling nervous about the rise of artificial intelligence in the workplace, you’re not alone! AI has the potential to change most Americans’ jobs – from the top to the bottom of every organization.

However, according to The Adecco Group’s own research, 2/3 of workers believe that the impact of AI on their jobs will be positive.

That doesn’t mean workers shouldn’t be looking ahead and preparing for the “AI revolution.” Now is the time to focus on building up skills you’re already using and familiarizing yourself with new technology.

There’s one important thing to remember: For most employers, the purpose of AI is to not replace people with computers. Rather, think of new tech as an opportunity for evolution – in your own growth and in your own opportunities.

Adaptability

The nature of work is going to change for most people. For some, that change will require adopting and mastering new tools and processes – with the goal being to remove or speed up repetitive tasks that take too much time.

For other workers, there is a real possibility their job won’t exist in five years. However, that’s still plenty of time to pivot to something new. Making a career change can be a scary prospect, but in reality, there is a growing demand for skilled talent, especially when it comes to entering the technology space.

Learn about jobs in STEM that don’t require a college degree. Read more.

Programming and computer skills

Chances are, you’ve already seen more and more new tools creeping into your day-to-day. As AI progresses and technology becomes more advanced, expect it to continue playing a much bigger role.

Depending on your job, this will most likely require orientation or refreshers in computer and programming skills. Fortunately, there are plenty of online and free courses available to help give you an edge.

Looking to brush up on Microsoft Office and other programs – for free? Check out our Aspire Academy.

People skills

Also known as “soft skills,” these talents are the ones that are harder to measure. How well do you work within a team? Are you able to rally others around a single goal? Can you offer someone feedback that’s both kind and constructive?

Sure, these skills sound a lot like the ones needed for a friendly baseball game, but in reality, they’re incredibly valuable at work. And when the “AI revolution” does come, being able to collaborate with others and lead a team are critical.

Learn more about how to sell your soft skills to potential employers. Read more.

“Big picture” thinking

The same old way of doing things isn’t really an option anymore. While generative AI will help improve efficiency and productivity, it does not have the ingenuity to problem solve when the unexpected happens.

What AI can do, however, is free up time for people to fix those challenges – so employers are now looking for people who have the ability to look ahead and tackle problems before they come up.

Discover the questions to ask before you make a big career change. Read more.

Be ready for what’s ahead

The future of AI is still not entirely certain, but taking the time to focus on developing these types of skills can help make sure you’re not falling behind.

Of course, that’s easy to say and much harder to do in practice.

At Adecco, we’re committed to “making the future work for everyone,” and that mission can be seen throughout our offerings for job candidates and associates.

Aspire Academy: Offered through our partnership with The Adecco Group US Foundation (The Foundation), the Aspire Academy provides our active associates with free upskilling courses, focusing on today’s in-demand skill sets, including software programs, management and leadership, and other foundational career skills. Available online, these courses let our associates take ownership of their professional future.

Copilot with Microsoft: Last year, our parent company, The Adecco Group, announced a partnership to bring AI to the job search process. In collaboration with Microsoft, we developed a cutting-edge generative AI career platform to help job candidate throughout their job hunt, from finding better paying roles to building resumes to prepping for interviews.

High School Equivalency program: The result of another partnership with The Foundation, the High School Equivalency Program is offered to Adecco associates over the age of 18 who haven’t earned their high school diploma. Available in both Spanish and English, the program lets learners prepare for the HiSET exam at their own pace.