Are you familiar with key AI terminology like scraping (taking information from all over the internet) and LLM (large language model)? Can you identify when an AI system is producing inaccurate information (hallucinating) or if its responses are influenced by prejudice in its training data (bias)?
From asking ChatGPT to compose a funny limerick for a colleague’s birthday card to using an AI tool such as a CV builder to help you find a job, chances are you’re already using AI in your day-to-day work life.
But could becoming more fluent in AI lingo and mastering AI tools that can be used to improve productivity and streamline processes be the key to career success––and ultimately put you in the good books with management?
The reality is that although AI is the hot topic on everyone’s lips, in and out of the boardroom, there’s often a gap between leadership and employees regarding AI adoption, even within the tech industry.
In fact, a recent survey has revealed that while 73% of C-suite executives believe their companies are embracing generative AI, only about half of VPs, directors, and senior managers share this perception.
And it’s not coming from big tech either as mid-sized firms (501-5,000 employees) are leading in AI adoption at 62%, compared to just 41% of larger corporations (5,001+ employees).
Additionally, separate data suggests that generative AI is a top priority for only 35% of board members, with 41% partially experimenting with it in specific areas rather than company-wide implementation.
This means there’s plenty of scope to be a proactive early adopter and lead the charge when it comes to implementing AI. This is particularly true if you want to earn more in the future—research by Adecco Group found that 78% of higher-income workers had already incorporated AI into their work in 2023.
Main benefits
Apart from the link between AI adoption and higher earnings, being up to date on the latest AI professional discourse is also good for your productivity and output.
The most recent Slack Workforce Index indicates that office workers spend 41% of their time on low-value, repetitive tasks which stand in the way of innovation and creativity. The World Economic Forum has highlighted both as key workplace skills for the future.
To initiate change, start by integrating AI tools into your daily work, documenting their benefits, noting roadblocks along the way, and also analysing how much time you’re saving along with what you’ve done with this time.
After you’ve fleshed out your findings, present your insights to management and offer suggestions about how widespread adoption could impact and benefit the business.
Don’t know where to start?
Tools like Otter.ai can transform meetings by transcribing what is being said in real time and delivering a transcript immediately afterwards. This can help with engagement and involvement during meetings as nobody needs to sit back and take detailed notes, and everyone has the same set of notes to refer to afterwards instead of sifting through their own scribbles.
If you often find you waste time trying to write the perfect email, or procrastination paralysis takes over before you have to start mapping out a report or presentation, Jasper AI can provide assistance and make your approach to writing more efficient.
Similarly, if project management is a part of your role, why not try Notion to help you with assigning tasks based on data that has been inputted, and summarising documents.
For more formal learning, consider courses like the University of Oxford’s online Artificial Intelligence Programme. It is delivered online over six weeks and requires 10 hours of self-paced study per week. Or for something less intensive, check out the AI for Everyone course on Coursera which offers four modules and takes five hours in total to complete online.
However, if your employer remains resistant to AI adoption and your endeavours fall on deaf ears, it may be worth considering your career options so that the company you work for is aligned with the opportunities AI presents.
Because the AI revolution isn’t coming in the distant future. It’s already here.
Ready to make your move? Check out our Cheat Sheet series where you can access helpful and practical advice about how to write your best CV, the things to never say in an interview setting, and how to explain gaps on your CV.
