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Robots, Schmobots: How to Find Truly AI-Proof Jobs
Gen Xers, Let's Stop Panicking and Start Preparing: Real Strategies for an AI World
The idea of AI and robots replacing us is no longer science fiction.
They are getting smarter and faster right now.
There is ZERO time to waste if you want to stay ahead of the game because people are getting replaced.
I was reading through a recent report on AI’s impact on jobs that listed occupations that were the most exposed to AI.
Here’s a list of what most people thought were AI-proof jobs (but aren’t anymore):
Teachers
Lawyers
Writers
Reporters
Accountants
Web Designers
Mathematicians
Legal Secretaries
Clinical Data Managers
And that’s a small list.
The truth is, any one of us might be getting replaced at any moment.
So what can you do?
You could keep looking at long lists of AI-proof jobs (like in the report I mentioned above).
Or you could figure out what an AI-proof job looks like and take steps to future-proof yourself.
That’s what I’m going to show you today.
First, let’s reframe this from bad news to good news…
New Problems = Opportunity
The good news is that all this change is a huge opportunity.
“Every new solution creates new problems.”
AI offers an almost unlimited amount of solutions which means there are going to be just as many problems.
All those problems are the opportunities.
What You Can Do Right Now
And the best news of all is that you are in control.
Here’s a list of things you can do right now to future-proof yourself.
Start working with AI
First, learning how to work with the bots is an excellent place to start.
Start using tools like ChatGPT or Bard. Experiment to see what tasks you can use it for with your current job. Think of it as a personal assistant.
AI will not replace you. A person using AI will.
— Santiago (@svpino)
1:00 PM • Jan 5, 2023
Your experience combined with AI is the secret sauce because you know the right questions to ask and can leverage the bots' capabilities to enhance your productivity and efficiency in your current job.
Stop training for jobs a robot can do.
Before you learn something, ask yourself if an AI can do it.
Get better at something nobody else can be good at - being the best you that you can be.
Nurture your creative side.
Everything AI does is based on what has been done in the past.
Our creativity gives us an advantage because we can have new and unique experiences.
Also, to create solutions to new problems, you need to understand or “empathize” with the people you are trying to help.
AI and machines do not have real empathy because it is not human.
Empathizing is first step in design thinking that Dr. Li Jiang, head of Stanford AIRE (AI, Robotics, and Education) talks about in this video…
Get good at learning.
Make it a habit of learning something new every month.
It’s almost effortless if you follow your curiosity by digging into subjects you want to learn about.
If you want to get rolling on this AI stuff, here’s a free course:
Focus on person-to-person.
We will always have a desire to find and cultivate relationships with others.
We are always trying to find ways to connect.
In a marketing course I took recently, the teacher talked about the importance of “going live” to differentiate yourself from the AI.
Show that you are a real person.
“People are always looking for themselves in you. AI can’t do that.”
In a world increasingly dominated by technology, where AI is becoming more prevalent, it is crucial to "go live" and demonstrate our authenticity as real individuals.
People are constantly seeking connections and are drawn to others who can reflect on their own experiences and emotions.
AI, with all its capabilities, cannot replicate this human element of personal identification and understanding.
Wrap Up
So if you’re worried that AI is going to replace you the best thing you can do right now, is to do something about it.
Because remember, it is not the AI that will replace you, it is the human using the AI that will.
Why not be the human with the AI?
Start working with AI
Stop training for jobs a robot can do
Nurture your creative side
Get good at learning
Focus on person-to-person
You’ll be more future-proof and gain an edge in your chosen occupation.
Mr. Roboto
I know there are Styx fans out there who are rolling their eyes right now…
“Of all the good songs in their catalog, songs, why this one Corey?”
Well, a couple of reasons.
First, I was 10 when it came out, and thanks to MTV it was my first introduction to Styx. The album this song is on, “Kilroy Was Here,” was the first cassette I ever owned.
But the biggest reason I chose it for this post is that, for some reason, many times, when I think about AI, the song starts playing in my head.
Check it out (or don’t if you want to skip the association).
If you listened and now it is stuck in your head, you’re welcome.
😉
And that should do it.
Domo arigato,
Corey
P.S. Questions or comments? Let us know in the comments below. Would love to hear what you’re thinking.
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Every week I send out ideas for Gen Xers on turning milestones into opportunities and earnings plus other music, marketing, future-of-work whatnot.
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