A recent article by Nuria Oliver proposes the creation of a "culture of digital scholars". This initiative aims to educate people on AI and its potential to address global challenges. Much like learning to read, write, and do math, understanding AI is becoming a fundamental skill. This knowledge encompasses the core concepts of AI, including algorithms, programming, data, and how it interacts with us through networks and hardware.
In this article, I discuss the importance of AI learning within companies, focusing more on the employee side and how they can leverage this technology, rather than delving into the technical capabilities of AI itself.
Why AI Literacy Matters in Business
Just like in any field, effective use of AI requires more than being a passive user. Businesses that want to maximize the benefits of AI need to move beyond basic user skills.
The question then becomes: How much AI knowledge do employees need?
The Right Training, for the Right People
Not all employees require in-depth knowledge of algorithms and programming. However, a strong understanding of how AI can be applied to their specific tasks is crucial. This allows them to leverage AI tools effectively and improve their work.
The key is to equip your workforce with a high level of expertise in the tools they use. This applies to all applications, software, or machinery with built-in AI functionalities, whether it's Microsoft Office or industry-specific tools.
Investing in a Future with AI
Companies are increasingly recognizing the importance of AI training. However, the focus should be on tools that will be directly integrated into employee workflows.
By empowering employees with the knowledge to use AI-powered tools efficiently, businesses can unlock new solutions to existing challenges. This paves the way for a future where AI becomes an essential and transformative force.
The First-Mover Advantage
While AI technology is still evolving and there are valid concerns regarding data security, data ownership, and potential breaches, companies that delay implementing AI tools altogether risk falling behind.
As AI becomes more commonplace, employees with a working knowledge of AI tools will be more valuable. Companies that haven't invested in training their workforce might struggle to attract and retain top talent.
Integrating AI later can be more complex and expensive. Companies that start early can develop a deeper understanding of the technology and its potential benefits, allowing them to adapt and evolve as AI continues to develop.
Of course, it's crucial to address data security concerns and implement responsible AI practices. However, waiting on the sidelines altogether might leave your company at a significant disadvantage in the long run.
Are You Ready?
Let me know in the comments if you consider yourself prepared in utilizing AI tools.
Top comments (4)
Personally, I'd wait for the bubble to burst, the sensationalism to die down, and the regulations to come into effect before investing too much in anything.
Most uses of AI around in the current boom are gimmicky at best, and have minimal utility. It's just people jumping on the bandwagon for FOMO, or a quick buck.
AI is mostly still massively overhyped, misunderstood, and misused.
I agree with you on the bubble idea and that AI is not used in the correct way. But, that's why I understand AI training is important. Companies must bet on this technology to improve the efficiency of their employees and understand new ways to apply this technology and automate processes, establish new processes, and keep saving money to invest in new products, markets, etc.
In addition, training the workforce is more important than ever. I can imagine the impact of employees knowing how to use AI tools in front of the rest that doesn't know how to use them.
Use Github Copilot as an example, do you think that it saves time for developers and pushes them to be more efficient? In my personal experience, I really think it does. I imagine 3 or 4 years in the future, 2 companies developing similar products. How fast the one that uses AI tools can go against the other that doesn't have any AI tools?
I would like in the first company for sure. No doubt about it.
What do you think?
GitHub Copilot is a potential legal minefield (and probably a lot of other generative AI-based tools), so I'd steer well clear of that if I had my own company. I personally use TabNine as it works just with your own code - and is super useful... however, it doesn't write large chunks of code for me - nor would I want it to - it just makes very sensible suggestions for completing lines of code.
When I've used any generative AI to write code, most of the code it comes up with is subtly wrong and requires an experienced developer to spot the problems and fix them. Increasing use of AI that 'writes code for you' will only lead to a shrinking pool of experienced developers. I agree that generative AI probably can be useful as an assistive tool, but should be used sparingly and only by those who understand what it is, what it isn't, and its limitations.
Also, it should be down to the individual whether or not they want to use such assistive tools. Believe it or not, some developers actually LIKE the process of solving problems in their heads, and converting the solutions into elegant, functioning code - along with all the other activities that come along with this (searching for answers, reading documentation, learning new skills, etc). If this a lot of this were 'automated' - many developers (probably the most skilled ones) simply would not enjoy their jobs any more.
There's more to writing code than being 'productive' and 'efficient'. A lot more.
Great points!!! I like the discussion. Exposing different points of view enriches the debate a lot and see potential issues and benefits for both sides.
I'm not an active Gen AI sponsor 😉, but I think it is the next revolution. This is just the starting point. Let's see what it can bring to us in the next few years. Probably, it can do anything else than what we are experimenting with right now. Or, on the other hand, the evolution will be so amazing that will be in any piece of technology without realizing it is there.
What do you think TabNine is increasing your efficiency or effectiveness at work? Is it something to recommend to start using it?