We may never be Unconsciously Competent Again

How AI is Reshaping Our Skills Development

Introduction

Imagine a world where the skills you've spent years mastering become obsolete in the blink of an eye. Imagine a world where the line between what you know and what you don't know is constantly shifting. This maybe the reality we face as artificial intelligence (AI) transforms the way we learn and work.? ?

Conscious Competence Model

You probably recall the 'Conscious Competence' model. ?The four stages we go through when learning a new skill:

1. Unconscious Incompetence: You don't know what you don't know. You're blissfully unaware of the skill and its importance.
2. Conscious Incompetence: You realize there's a skill you lack and need to learn. This awareness can be uncomfortable, but it's the first step towards growth.
3. Conscious Competence: You've acquired the skill, but using it requires focus and effort. You must consciously think about what you're doing.
4. Unconscious Competence: The skill becomes second nature. You can perform it effortlessly without having to think about it.

Before you read further, take a moment or two to consider how AI is or might affect the above framework.? Is AI going to turn this model on its head?

I personally believe, AI is disrupting the 'conscious competence' model and what it means for people.

Skills Become Obsolete Faster

As AI automates more tasks, skills that were once valuable can become outdated almost overnight. You may have been a conscious or unconscious competent in some aspect of your career or industry. And you might suddenly find yourself back at stage 1 or 2, having to learn new skills to stay relevant.

The Skills You Need are Evolving.

It's not just about technical skills. Coding and data science are important of course, but increasingly are creativity, adaptability, critical thinking, and the ability to work with AI are coming to the fore.

This is perhaps controversial, but it's a fair argument that humans with the best personal skills may be ideally placed to get the most out of AI.

New Skills Categories Emerge

In addition, AI is generating entirely new skill categories, like AI ethics and AI strategy. These require a blend of technical know-how and philosophical thinking. You might need to become 'consciously competent' in areas you never considered before.

We'll likely see shorter project turnaround times and more rapid innovation. Companies will need to be more agile and adaptable than ever before.

Do not underestimate skills like creativity, social intelligence, and relationship-building. After all, these are the things that make us uniquely human and differentiate us from machines.

What Does This Mean for You as a working professional?

You might worry about your skills becoming obsolete or feel pressure to continuously learn new things. And you're not alone. Many people will grapple with these same concerns.

But here's the thing: while the challenges are real, so are the opportunities.

Imagine being the person who can bridge the gap between AI and human understanding. Who can use creativity and critical thinking to solve problems even the most advanced AI can't. These are the skills that will be most valuable in the future.

Think about it. Humans are the best AI interfaces.

What can you do to improve your human value?

So, dust off all the old Skills development models and techniques you ever learned. Recall all your soft skills that taught you to be flexible, adaptable, and resilient in the face of change. (Who moved my cheese suddenly sprung to mind) Hone your critical thinking abilities to analyze complex situations, and make sound decisions. Develop your problem-solving skills to tackle novel challenges and be ready to direct AI to solve appropriately.

It's old hat, but suddenly a 'growth mindset', and 'continuous learning' become genuinely relevant. Seek out opportunities to learn new skills, both technical and interpersonal. Engage in cross-functional projects that allow you to collaborate with diverse teams and expand your knowledge base.

Practice effective communication; the ability to clearly articulate ideas, concerns, and solutions will be crucial working with advanced AI.

It's old hat, but suddenly a 'growth mindset', and 'continuous learning' become genuinely relevant.

Lastly, don't underestimate the power of networking and building strong professional relationships. Pursue 'knowledge management' rather than 'knowledge accidents'.

In a world where skills can quickly become obsolete, your network can be a valuable source of knowledge, opportunities, and support. Attend industry events, join professional associations, and engage in mentorship programs to expand your network and stay connected to the pulse of your field.

Think about it. Humans are the best AI interfaces.

From a technical perspective, what can you do?

Learn as much as you are able about the AI industry. Familiarize yourself with the concepts of prompt engineering, machine learning, and supervised and unsupervised learning, neural networks, and natural language processing.

Many online platforms offer free or low-cost courses that can help you get started. As you gain proficiency, you can explore more advanced topics like deep learning, computer vision, and reinforcement learning.

Stay updated on the latest AI tools and platforms.

Experiment with AI-powered applications relevant to your field, such as chatbots, predictive analytics tools, automation, or automated design software. By gaining hands-on experience, you'll be better equipped to understand how AI can be applied in your work and identify opportunities for innovation.

Develop your data literacy skills.

On the basis that Data 'is the new oil', learn how to collect, clean, analyze, and visualize data. Understand the importance of data quality and how to handle biases and errors in datasets. As AI relies heavily on data, having strong data skills will make you an asset in AI-driven projects. Were you aware for example that AI is running out of data to train on? There are implications here, I just have not figured out what they are yet.

Explore the ethical implications of AI.

Familiarize yourself with the principles of responsible AI development, such as transparency, accountability, and fairness. Understand the potential risks and biases associated with AI systems and learn how to mitigate them. Develop expertise in AI ethics.

Finally, consider specializing in an AI-related field that aligns with your interests and career goals. This could be anything from AI product management to AI-powered marketing or AI-assisted healthcare. By developing a niche expertise, you can position yourself as a go-to resource in your organization and industry.

Remember, you don't need to become an AI expert overnight. Start with the basics and gradually build your knowledge and skills over time. The key is to remain curious, proactive, and open to learning in this rapidly evolving field.

The Future of Work in an AI World.

The rise of AI is undoubtedly disrupting the way we learn and work. It's challenging the 'conscious competence' model and forcing us to rethink what it means to be skilled in today's world.

We might never reach a state of 'unconscious competence' again in a world where change is constant - and that's okay. What matters is that we keep learning, growing, and adapting.

As AI struggles to be 'more human', so too should we.

What do you think? Do you agree? How do you see AI impacting your own learning and work? What skills do you think will be most important in the future?