Career Success in the Era of Artificial Intelligence: Four Essential Skills to Develop

During a recent conversation with a graduating student entering the workforce, I was asked for thoughts on what it would take for career success in a world of AI. I replied that achieving success in an AI-driven world will demand skillsets that are very different from those of my generation and the generation before me. But, beyond the technical expertise, I shared that I saw four essential skills that will remain constant — systems thinking and sense-making, visioning, and leadership.

Systems Thinking

In a complex and interconnected world, understanding the “system” is critical. Having a ‘theory of the world’ helps frame the intricate relationships (both human and technological) and the interdependencies between and within systems. This frame will enable us to identify the strategic levers to pull, anticipate the ripple effects of our actions, and mitigate unintended consequences.

Sense Making

Complementing systems thinking is the ability to synthesize information, recognize patterns, and then drawing meaningful conclusions from seemingly unrelate and disparate pieces of information. This ability to connect the dots allow us to make sense of our environment, the impact of our actions on it, and it…