Work Shift

This recent report from the The Brookings Institution seems important (link in the comments). Yet Work Shift appears to be the only publication to cover it. I honestly don't understand why. The extensive analysis draws on data from OpenAI to frame generative AI's stakes for work and workers. The analysis builds on a large body of academic work and taps insights from 30+ experts across disciplines. In short, this isn't a survey from a company that's selling something. Among the many important findings: exposure data from OpenAI suggest that office and administrative support roles are among the occupations that face the highest disruption risks due to AI. These 19M jobs make up the first rung of the middle class. The report also notes that they comprise the lion's share of "decent-paying, stable jobs" for women without a college degree, many of whom are Black or Latina. Yet the discourse around AI and jobs largely has focused on the perceived threats to men in blue-collar roles or to creative types -- Hollywood actors and writers who many wealthier knowledge workers identify with. This dynamic creates what the Brookings researchers have dubbed the "Great Mismatch," where the workers who most need a seat at the table are the least likely to have a clear mechanism to ask for it.

In my latest for Work Shift, I learned about the Career Ladders in Mental and Behavioral Health (CLIMB-Health) program at the Kentucky Community & Technical College system—a program that provides a pathway for people in recovery to earn certificates that qualify them for entry-level jobs as peer support specialists to help others struggling with substance use disorders. Students hopefully go on into two- and four-year degree programs in human services. In Kentucky, they're asking what if recovery from substance or opioid use disorders was an asset for a potential job rather than an obstacle? Some 2.7M adults are?out of the labor force?because of addiction—at a time when there?aren’t enough workers?to meet demand. https://lnkd.in/eYHYtW2d

Education and the workforce “often don’t talk to each other,” Colorado Governor Jared Polis at the Human Potential Summit on our stage (yes, our stage!). ?? Polis was there to share details about Colorado’s $85 million Opportunity Now grant, which is bringing together educators, employers, and community leaders to help bridge those gaps. #Colorado isn’t the only state working to fix these disconnects. Want to dive deeper into how these partnerships are reshaping the future of work? Make sure you follow us here and subscribe to The Job newsletter — we’ve got the latest stories that connect the dots between #education and #work. Find the link to subscribe in the comments ??

As AI transforms the workplace, a new paradigm is taking shape: the relationship economy. In his latest edition of The Job newsletter, Paul Fain explores how we can prepare for the future of work, where the demand for durable skills is soaring. On the Work Shift podcast "The Cusp," Aneesh Raman, LinkedIn’s Chief Economic Opportunity Officer, drives this point home, "AI capabilities means [durable skills] are going to be more important. 72% of U.S. executives are saying they would prefer [durable skills] over AI skills." Listen here: https://buff.ly/3zVIlVd To prepare, we must forge strong education-industry partnerships, develop structured curricula for durable skills, and promote work-based learning initiatives. Check out the full newsletter for more insights on how durable skills are shaping the future: https://buff.ly/3TXVXWY #DurableSkills #RelationshipEconomy #FutureOfWork #WorkforceDevelopment #AI

“The best way to learn office skills is to put students in an office,” says Melissa Jones of Break Through Tech. Companies like Verizon are taking that seriously. Their partnership with Break Through Tech has launched "sprinternships," offering women from lower-income and diverse backgrounds a path to paid summer internships and, eventually, full-time roles in tech. Verizon sees this initiative as crucial for building a future-ready workforce and hopes it can become a model for talent development across industries. ?? Get these insights — and more — in your inbox weekly by signing up for The Job: https://lnkd.in/eUcKdDuX #WomenInTech #WorkplaceLearning

Three years before AI tools like #ChatGPT made waves in classrooms, Gwinnett County Public Schools in Atlanta were already paving the way with AI-driven coursework. Their early adoption offers insight into how schools can move beyond just cool tools and focus on fostering student thinking. Their curriculum takes an innovative approach: In math, students direct a bot to plot points on a graph. In art, they develop algorithms to create unique designs. These lessons are more than just exercises — they're about building critical thinking, data analysis, and problem-solving skills that analysts say are crucial for the future workforce. Perhaps more importantly, these lessons are introducing students to AI literacy, with the hopes that it can help them feel more secure in their careers. Even as debate continues over whether AI will help or hinder student development, experts argue that ignoring the technology is not an option. “It’s an existential threat to students’ well-being when they graduate,” Alex Kotran, founder and CEO of aiEDU.org says. #EdTech #AIinEducation #FutureOfLearning

Who’s most at risk from AI in the workplace? Women in lower-paying administrative jobs. A new analysis from The Brookings Institution that used OpenAI data shows that generative AI could have a big impact on workers in the lower-middle class — especially for women in office support jobs. Here’s what they found: ? Over 30% of workers could see at least half of their tasks disrupted by #GenerativeAI. ? High-paying fields like finance, law, and engineering are exposed, but AI will mostly augment tasks rather than eliminate jobs. ? Roles like insurance claims processors and legal secretaries are much more likely to see full automation. The report’s authors urge government and industry leaders to start talking about solutions now — and emphasize that any serious effort to address AI’s impact must involve workers and center on equity and inclusion. Read more at the link in the comments, and sign up to get The Job in your inbox.?#FutureOfWork #AIandDiversity

What if your next job wasn't determined by where you went to school or who you know, but by your potential and skills? In the latest episode of The Cusp, Paul Fain interviews LinkedIn's Chief Economic Opportunity Officer, Aneesh Raman, about how AI can help us transition from the pedigree economy — where degrees, job titles, and connections dictate opportunity — to a workforce that values soft skills, human connections, and unique lived experiences. Here are a few key takeaways from Aneesh:? ? The labor market has historically relied on outdated signals like education and job titles, leading to implicit inequities in hiring. AI could promote #EquityInHiring by providing a more holistic view of individual potential. ? We're transitioning from the knowledge economy to a "relationship economy," where human interactions are central. AI will play a role, but soft skills like critical listening, empathy, and resilience will become even more valuable. ? Embrace the mindset of a "learn-it-all." The #FutureOfWork is all about upskilling, reskilling, and staying adaptable as AI reshaping the job market. ?? Listen to their conversation here: https://lnkd.in/eUtf6Dba

What kinds of jobs do you think a Dunkin' Donut's cashier might easily switch into in order to move up? A new AI-driven tool from AdeptID is making some unexpected suggestions. “We’ve demonstrated that the way to identify more talent more accurately is to?look for transferable skills that more superficial methods would miss,” says?Fernando Rodriguez-Villa, the B-corp's CEO and co-founder. ?? Paul Fain has the story. The link (and the spoiler headline) are in the comments.

It’s no secret that workers are in short supply in many fields—but Lightcast is out with a new report showing just how much the US workforce is shrinking relative to our population. Add to that a major mismatch between the types of jobs #highered is preparing people for and the ones #employers are actually hiring for—and something's got to give. ?? We dug into the data, and talked with folks like Karen Stout, CEO of Achieving the Dream, about what #communitycolleges and policymakers are doing to respond. ???? Check it out on Work Shift: https://lnkd.in/epyR3xpv #futureofwork #opportunity #data