Lifelong learning and the AI mindset

During the past few months, many young people have made the first few steps into their career and working lives, whether that’s at university or in their first job. In Switzerland, Germany and other countries, a new generation of apprentices has begun their vocational training based on a dual education system that combines on-the-job training with formal classroom education. In fact, that’s how I began my own career – as an apprentice for ‘Kaufmann,’ which teaches you how to run a business.

It's an important time for both these apprentices and their employers, with a new generation learning the skills they need, whether that’s artisan skills or the knowledge that’s the foundation for the jobs of the future. The dual nature of the apprenticeship system is its key strength: the classroom curriculum offers a comprehensive education, while the on-the-job training provides real-life experiences combined with cutting-edge knowledge. That’s especially true at a high-tech firm like ABB, where our dedicated training centers are packed with the latest technologies.

These days, however, there’s a new technology rapidly entering the workplace, and most people – whether professionals, teachers or apprentices – have yet to fully understand its potential. I’m speaking, of course, to artificial intelligence (AI).

The pace of AI innovation is accelerating rapidly and it’s a highly dynamic space, but two things are certain: AI will dramatically change the way we work, and it’s bound to transform humanity’s relationship with technology itself.

In recent years, most companies have been pre-occupied with the issue of a “digital skills gap.” Now, many are concerned with an “AI skills gap.” Because of the way AI systems work, however, I don’t believe this will be an issue. We will “talk” to AI using natural language, and AI will then complement what we humans are doing, whether that’s at work or in our personal lives. As AI provides us with data, insights and tools, we will be more knowledgeable and more productive. In fact, AI has the potential to become the most patient teacher of all – because it will be able to share and build knowledge at the level and pace of the learner.

The ability to use AI doesn’t depend on being a digital native, but rather on having an open mindset about new ways of working. When it comes to AI, most of us are beginners (or pioneers) right now. So, whether you are one of this year’s apprentices or a seasoned professional or a person changing careers in your thirties, forties, fifties or even later you will find AI to be an important ‘co-pilot’ in your lifelong learning journey – and in your day-to-day work as well.

For most people, using AI will not require deep technical skills – and that’s why I believe AI will profoundly change our relationship with technology. What’s needed instead is just the ability to clearly define a problem, logically frame its parameters and outline the direction of the desired solution, so that you can ‘prompt’ the AI to help. In fact, good AI tech can even support you with this.

As for managers, we must be prepared for a generation of apprentices who have dabbled in AI already and are bringing new tools and expectations with them to the workplace. Apprentices in turn must learn how they can combine their AI experiences with their newly gained technical knowledge to make the most impactful and ethical use of AI. This requires mutual trust, across the company and across generations (although to be clear, digital fluency can be found in all age groups).

I’m confident that AI will enhance rather than replace work done by humans. But it will certainly revolutionize everyone’s lifelong learning journey. Having a mindset that’s open to using AI may soon be one of the most important job skills.