Learning how to learn: AI and the way of the elevator operator

At one time, there was a man who sat all day in an elevator to turn the cranks to help elevator riders get where they needed to go. Then one day, elevators became automated and user-friendly, so the riders could take care of themselves. Thus, the elevator operator needed to find a new job. As the Industrial Revolution occurred, elevator operators, along with other jobs like milk men, farmers, and coachmen were reskilled, and began doing work that required more of their unique human skills of reasoning, logic and creativity. Technology and automation do eliminate certain jobs, but at the same time, they also create amazing opportunities and many new and very interesting jobs.

It’s happening again today as Artificial Intelligence (AI) moves into the mainstream, and we bear witness to the Fourth Industrial Revolution. As a leading technology provider, we at Microsoft feel a deep sense of accountability and responsibility to ensure that workers displaced by technology are able to reskill for the jobs of tomorrow. Some estimate that 65 percent or more of the jobs of the not-too-distant future don’t even exist today. I can’t wait to see what my two little ones will be when they grow up…. There’s a really good chance they will work in professions I can’t even imagine today. By 2030 it is expected that the biggest job growth will come in professions that will require greater cognitive and emotional skills such as collaboration, problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. Personally, I like where this is going.

We live in truly interesting times. AI has enormous potential to make the world a better place and to enhance competitiveness. AI can and will free up people to do what they do best: think creatively, enjoy their work and figure out how to use technological tools to drive business success, optimize operations, and engage customers in new and exciting ways. AI isn’t just about automation – it helps companies thrive through smarter decision making, and that shouldn’t happen at the expense of people.

Many people are already prioritizing reskilling. Back in May, the European Economic Graph Forum was held in Brussels. The Economic Graph is LinkedIn’s ever-expanding digital map of the global labor force. The event brought together policymakers and key stakeholders for discussion of how cities and regions in the EU have been reacting to recent labor market changes and training their workforces to ensure they obtain the skills they will need to work in tomorrow’s economy. For me, the key takeaway from the forum is that reskilling is everyone’s job. Governments need to shift focus from job creation to skill development in order to thrive, and collaboration between the private and public sectors is the best way to prepare the modern workforce. The importance of soft skills such as communication, critical thinking, and teamwork may be even more important in a world of AI than they are today. Learning how to learn is more crucial than ever for professionals, and continuous education and reskilling will be essential for sustained success in our evolving global economy.

An example of such collaboration is happening in Italy, where the unemployment rate is one of the highest in Europe—10.4 percent, compared to 8.2 percent in the Eurozone. “A large gap exists between the skills required by employers and the skills available on the market,” says Silvia Candiani, General Manager of Microsoft Italia. “It is a dichotomy that slows down growth and can only be overcome by focusing on training, to make the country evolve in step with the times and with new technological trends.”

To overcome this challenge, we are partnering with organizations such as The Adecco Group, LinkedIn, Invitalia, Cariplo Factory, and Fondazione Mondo Digitale on an initiative called Ambition Italy or “Ambizione Italia” if you’re a local. For the company, it’s a reflection of our commitment to make AI accessible and useful to enhance human capabilities and make Italy a more competitive country. We’re investing 100 million euros in programs and courses that will serve as many as two million people throughout Italy by 2020, providing training for more than 500,000 people and leading to certification for 50,000 professionals.

AI is a central part of this effort. As part of the initiative Adecco is developing Phyd, a digital platform based on Cloud Computing and Microsoft's AI, which will guide everyone to develop new skills and update those already acquired. Phyd will allow you to view yourself in a map that crosses job opportunities, personal requirements and characteristics, to help you identify the most relevant professional paths to follow and access the best free courses to build your own future. Phyd also plans to have a physical space in Milan next year that will host courses, workshops, and other events aimed at sharing knowledge and experiences. LinkedIn is contributing with an advanced version of its service that will use AI and machine learning to create a powerful tool for matching skills and predicting future workforce needs.

I believe that as AI takes on a more significant role in our lives, we must ensure that it is developed with the welfare of all people in mind. As AI automates some functions, our responsibility is to ensure people are enabled to create, think and thrive, to the benefit of businesses and societies at large just like they were in previous industrial revolutions.

Innovations in reskilling can really help close the digital skills gap and enhance people’s employability. Providing ample, data-driven opportunities for reskilling is vital to the realization of this ethical imperative and will create a talent pipeline of skilled people who will be in high demand for the jobs of tomorrow.

Where do you see the biggest opportunities for reskilling in your community? I’d love to hear about it.

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This article is the third in a series in which I’ll explore the economic, societal and ethical impact of AI in Europe, and the ways in which it impacts humanitarian efforts, leads to job creation and the development of new industries. As AI capabilities play an increasingly important part in our day-to-day lives, we will face important questions about economic opportunity, privacy, equity, and inclusion. I look forward to sharing my thoughts with you and encourage you to let me know what you think about these important issues as well.