Building the workforce you’ll need tomorrow

With the ever-increasing use of AI technology in our workplaces, there may be many differing views on what companies and their employees would consider a challenge.

For example, someone who works in retail may have a very different perspective from someone working in a high-tech AI environment.

That being said, AI is finding its way into almost every occupation these days. Even retail outlets are not “safe”, as many point-of-sale machines (or tills, for those of you who remember that terminology!) now have some form of AI automation built in.

Taking that as an example, younger employees may pick up the way a point-of-sale machine works almost instantly, whereas others may need more time to understand it. I’m not being ageist here. It’s simply that many young people have grown up interacting with smartphones and gaming technology from an early age.

However, that’s just one example of how AI and other technologies may create challenges in the workplace.

Recruitment and development

In this ever-changing world of work, should companies spend more time trying to recruit the perfect employee (if such a thing exists), or would it be better to develop their existing staff?

It’s important to remember that existing employees already understand the company’s culture, processes and ways of working. As a result, they should often be able to progress more quickly than someone new. However, in some cases, a new employee with strong technical expertise may develop and progress faster.

And that doesn’t depend on age. Look around and you’ll see plenty of employees in their forties and fifties working in software development and using AI technology as naturally as anyone else.

Of course, some employers may overlook experienced employees because they assume they won’t be able to adapt to new technology. But not all older employees are dinosaurs. Many would welcome the opportunity to move into a new area and work more closely with technology and AI.

Future skills

So, what skills are going to be needed in the future?

That’s a big question because the answer depends largely on the industry you’re in. However, no organisation can afford to ignore the future. The decisions made today will influence what happens tomorrow, so we should all be thinking ahead.

In other words, don’t bury your head in the sand. Technology is advancing and will continue to do so.

This means AI will become increasingly integrated into everyday life, both at work and at home. For example, do you have Alexa at home? If the answer is yes, then you’re already interacting with AI.

Everyone should recognise the importance of becoming familiar with AI. If you don’t, there’s a risk you’ll be left behind. Most organisations already use some form of AI in their day-to-day operations. It’s a powerful tool, but it can’t do everything. AI is only as effective as the information it’s given.

Developing technology

As technology develops, many tasks and processes become easier. But that’s not always the whole story.

People skills will always be important, regardless of how advanced AI becomes. Take performance management as an example. There could be countless reasons why someone isn’t performing to the expected standard, including illness, menopause, family difficulties or domestic abuse.

These situations require empathy, judgement and meaningful conversations. That’s where strong people skills remain essential.

I have no doubt that, over the coming years, AI will take a more prominent role in many organisations. As a result, employers must prepare their workforce for what’s to come.

Again, much depends on the type of organisation and the work it does. But whatever sector you’re in, I have no doubt that AI will play a role in one way or another.

Recommendations

AI and its capabilities will continue to develop, so my recommendation is to remain open to change, whether it’s minor or significant.

Change can be difficult, and we know many people don’t like it. We’ve all heard the phrase: “We’ve always done it this way, so why change?”

Unfortunately, that mindset is becoming increasingly outdated. Change will continue to happen, and we should all be prepared to give new ideas and technologies a try. If we don’t, we risk being left behind.

Organisations should prepare their workforce well in advance if they intend to introduce new technology or AI into the workplace.

It may feel daunting at first, but if you embrace the changes, who knows where they could take you? Move over, Elon Musk!