Capitalizing on AI: Investing in Gen Xers and Millennials for a Thriving Workforce (Part I)

I don’t know about you, but in between AI news (bless you all for reading this in the sea of noise) my LinkedIn feed is starting to become a potpourri of graduation photos.?And while most people might imagine professors heading to their cabin in the woods with a stack of books, the truth of the matter is that June is budget season, making crucial decisions about how to invest and train the next generation of scholars. This got me thinking that it’s time for corporations to take a page out of academia's book and start thinking about how to educate their workforce as quickly as possible to adapt to the new age of generative AI.

Just one quarter ago, we were on the brink of a global recession, the lagging results of government debt, massive inflation, and reduced consumer spending brought on by the pandemic.?And for those of you paying attention to the stock market, we are riding the big kahuna wave of the AI hype cycle, all based upon a promise not yet realized, of how generative AI is going to transform our businesses and make our employees productivity machines.

Somehow, miraculously, AI is going to drive insane levels of productivity, which in turn will mean we can do more with less people, which will be a savings to the bottom line, right?

Wrong.

If you are reading this newsletter, you are among the converted.?You are reading about AI, you are testing out tools, you are thinking about how this will impact your business and you may have even taken a workshop or a bootcamp to dive deeper.?You are among the 200 million OpenAI users and 14 million Midjourney members.?That sounds like a lot??Well, sure, but that’s less than 3% of the world population (8 billion), and 6% of the global workforce (3.3 billion).

And the people that don’t know AI are not living deep in the jungle.?They are your colleges, your next door neighbor, your children….that’s right.?Your children.?This is not the technology of Gen Alpha.?This is the technology of GenXers and Millennials, the generations that grew up on the personal home computer and digital natives.

We might assume that these folks are the ones who will find AI tools on their own, with self-directed learning plans and online education that caters to their busy lives.?But what we are finding is just the opposite.?Gen Xers and Millennials, who make up a significant portion of the workforce, are often assumed to be more adept at technology. However, companies cannot overlook the need to provide targeted training and resources to ensure their success in the evolving digital landscape, and this is why.

The Unique Challenges Faced by GenXers and Millennials

Let’s go back to November 2022, the month before the great advent of Generative AI for the masses.?What were we talking about??Do you remember the “Great Resignation” and “Quiet Quitting?”?Yes, that’s right these were the conversations dominating public discourse before AI took the stage.?The Great Resignation saw 4.2 million workers voluntarily quit their jobs in the US alone.?And you know what??I was one of them.

A massive workaholic - I love work almost as much as I love coffee, but in April 2022, I hit my wall, HARD.?And a few months later, when I met Jennie Blumenthal , author of Corporate Rehab: Ditch the Hustle Culture and Thrive Again , I realized that I was not alone.?Jennie’s story was my story.?She recounts in her book:

I wasn’t an all-out workaholic…at first.?I just found more parts of my identity wrapped up in the job, taking for granted that I’d always be a wife and a mom; the mundane tasks of cooking and cleaning and carpooling could be done by someone else (yay outsourcing!), while I saved my brain for things that really required it.?I got a lot done in a typical day, achieving 120% of my tasks, yet still disappointed I couldn’t hit 150%.

Jennie calls this mindset “Superhero Syndrome,” - the "time arrogance" that you can get more done than the average person.?And my concern is that corporations are falling into the same predictable trap, assuming that with the assistance of AI, they will be 200% more productive. ?

But here’s the rub.

Jennie, like many others, realized that the breakneck pace she was maintaining was simply not sustainable. It led to burnout, stress, and a gnawing feeling that there had to be more to life than constantly chasing an ever-growing list of tasks. And honestly, who could blame her? We've all been there, right? In our pursuit of productivity, we've pushed ourselves to the limit, only to find that we're more exhausted and less satisfied than ever before.

This realization is shared by a significant number of Gen Xers and Millennials, who are now contemplating leaving the workforce. They're tired of trying to do it all - work, family, personal goals - and finding that there's no such thing as balance. The risk companies face is losing their most valuable employees: experienced, skilled, and dedicated professionals who are simply searching for a better way to navigate work and life.

Now imagine if we could harness the power of generative AI to help these individuals find that balance and prevent them from walking away from their careers. By providing AI training through their employers, we can offer them the tools they need to work smarter, not harder, and to find a more sustainable way of managing their responsibilities. This could be the key to not only retaining our most valuable employees but also unlocking their full potential, leading to increased productivity and satisfaction for both individuals and companies.

In the end, we're not just talking about AI training here. We're talking about a fundamental shift in how we approach work and life, enabled by the incredible potential of generative AI. By investing in targeted learning for GenXers and Millennials, companies can not only help their employees rediscover their passion for work but also contribute to a healthier, more balanced world for all of us. And isn't that something worth striving for?

The Power of of Employer-Sponsored AI Training

You see, when employers invest in training their workforce, they're not just helping their employees gain new skills; they're also investing in the future of their company. With the rapid pace of technological advancements, having a workforce that's well-versed in AI can give a company a competitive edge.

But let's not overlook the benefits to the employees themselves. When companies provide training opportunities, it helps employees stay engaged and feel valued. This, in turn, can lead to higher job satisfaction and increased retention rates.

Now, think about the Gen Xers and Millennials who are already struggling to find a work-life balance. When employers take the initiative to provide training, it's like they're acknowledging the challenges these generations face and saying, "Hey, we've got your back." It's a game-changer.

This was certainly the case for one of my recent clients.?Selma works for a forward-thinking company that recognized the importance of AI training for their entire staff. They understood that by investing in their employees' development, they were not only equipping them with valuable skills but also fostering a sense of unity and adaptability within the company.

Selma, like many of her colleagues, had been eager to explore the potential of AI but felt overwhelmed by the vast array of tools and resources available. That's when their company brought me in to provide a tailored AI training session. I took them on a journey, providing a big-picture understanding of what AI is all about and guiding them through the exploration of different open-source AI tools. I shared real-life examples that fascinated them and sparked their desire to dive deeper.

The impact of the training was tangible. Selma shared her experience, saying, "Having been interested in generative AI without guidance left me feeling overwhelmed with all the information and downloadable prompts that are being offered. I was dabbling without aim with the tools. The course helped me to take a step back and start with a clean slate, taking the right approach to learning how to use the tools correctly. I feel now very much in power when using tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney as I understand what they can and cannot do."

This story exemplifies the transformative power of employer-provided AI training. It not only equips employees with the skills they need but also instills confidence and clarity, enabling them to harness the full potential of AI in their work. By investing in their workforce's development, companies like Selma’s are not only setting their employees up for success but also positioning themselves at the forefront of innovation and competitiveness.

How AI Training Addresses Gen X and Millennial Priorities

Surprisingly, 54% of Generation X leaders consider themselves to be knowledgeable about tech, which is just two percentage points behind Millennials, according to a recent study. Despite this, Gen X workers, who are in their prime and should be at the height of their careers, are increasingly overlooked for advancement opportunities. They are promoted at rates 20-30% slower than Millennials, according to Harvard Business Review. This lack of recognition in the workplace has led to a decrease in engagement among GenX employees.?And in that same study, both GenXers and Millennials reported not wanting to work anymore, 33% and 36% respectively.?

Gen Xers and Millennials are facing unique challenges in the modern workplace, including work-life balance issues, the need for increased job satisfaction, strengthening employee commitment, and encouraging innovative thinking. Effective AI training provided by employers can address these priorities and yield substantial benefits. Let's explore how:

1. Work-Life Balance: Gen Xers and Millennials often struggle to maintain a healthy work-life balance due to the demands of their careers and personal responsibilities. Employer-provided AI training acknowledges these challenges and demonstrates a commitment to supporting their employees in finding equilibrium. By offering training during work hours, employers alleviate the burden of self-directed learning and enable employees to focus on acquiring new skills without compromising their personal lives.
2. Increased Job Satisfaction: AI training empowers Gen Xers and Millennials to adapt to the changing technological landscape, boosting their confidence and job satisfaction. When employees receive the necessary training and resources to navigate AI technologies effectively, they feel more competent and capable in their roles. This increased job satisfaction translates into higher engagement and motivation, leading to improved productivity and overall performance.
3. Strengthened Employee Commitment: Investing in AI training sends a powerful message to Gen Xers and Millennials that their professional development is valued and supported. This commitment from employers fosters a sense of loyalty and dedication among employees. When individuals feel that their organization invests in their growth, they are more likely to remain committed to the company's mission and long-term success.
4. Encouraging Innovative Thinking: AI training provides Gen Xers and Millennials with the tools and knowledge to leverage emerging technologies for innovative problem-solving. By equipping employees with AI skills, companies encourage a culture of creativity and forward-thinking. This cultivates an environment where employees are empowered to explore new possibilities, propose innovative solutions, and drive continuous improvement.

When employers take the initiative to provide training, they demonstrate their commitment to the growth and well-being of their employees. They say, "We value you, and we want to empower you to thrive in this rapidly evolving digital landscape." This recognition and support make a world of difference, fostering engagement, loyalty, and long-term success.

Now that we've explored the importance of employer-provided training, next week we’ll delve into practical steps companies can take to make this a reality.

Names and identifying details of individuals in this article have been changed to protect their privacy.

I'm Lori Mazor and I teach AI with a human touch: empowering intelligent business. If you're interested in learning in bringing Generative AI Training to your employees, check out my?website ?for course offerings or DM me on LinkedIn for more information.