In a recent discussion, Don sat down with his friend Arturo Oliver, a professional with a 30-year career focused on analytics, AI, and automation, to explore the profound impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on our lives and the future of work. Arturo’s lifelong passion for the intersection of humanity and technology, which began in Mexico with a Commodore 64 and an Apple II, gave him a unique perspective on the current AI revolution.An Unprecedented Leap in Productivity
Arturo firmly believes that the current wave of AI, particularly Generative AI (Gen AI), is bringing a step function in productivity that is different this time around. He asserts that the impact of this technology is going to be the greatest we have seen in possibly 50 years, leading to sustained productivity growth.
Historically, technology improvements first and foremost benefit the people who own the technology and know how to use it. This time, the change is bringing significant automation to a wider set of industries and roles, allowing for the automation of a big amount of work. While this is exciting and could make human jobs more pleasant and liberate people to do other things, there is an urgent flip side to the coin.The Imperative for Reskilling
Arturo cited a study from McKinsey that projected by 2030, 12 million jobs in the US alone are going to be eliminated by AI. While new jobs will be created, they will require a completely different set of skills, and the same people displaced won’t necessarily be able to transition easily.
This makes reskilling crucial for every individual and society as a whole. As Arturo stresses, every individual needs to be thinking: “How can I make myself much more valuable and enhance my skills today to prepare for this change?”.
Arturo used marketing as an example of how much work can be automated, including:
- Analysis of information
- Template creation and write-up review
- Dynamic website creation, optimization, and A/B/C testing
The key takeaway is that humans will be needed to orchestrate these new tools. Individuals who can effectively put these tools together and orchestrate them will become significantly more valuable to a company—potentially five to ten times more valuable.The Uniquely Human Advantage
Don highlighted three domains where humans will continue to excel over AI:
- Relationships: These remain uniquely human.
- Strategy: This requires human guidance, flavor, and orchestration, even with AI generating multiple scenarios.
- Creativity: This is an area where humans retain an advantage.
Arturo advised that individuals cannot play passively. They must take an active role in reskilling, suggesting one hour a week for continuous learning on platforms like Coursera or LinkedIn instead of watching Netflix.Universities Must Adapt
The conversation also touched on the role of universities in preparing the next generation. Arturo argues that universities must fully grasp AI technology and reframe their approach. Instead of focusing on preventing cheating, they should concentrate on how to help students become much more skillful with these new tools so that when they graduate, they can use AI to be “much more savvy” and “ignite their passions”.
Don added that a curriculum must tie in what technology is capable of. He cited an example of a professor who required students to write papers with ChatGPT but also include an addendum that critiqued the AI’s answer, which effectively exercises critical thinking skills.
Arturo ended the conversation by stressing that society must ensure that everyone benefits from AI, not just a select few. If the productivity gains lead to a four-day work week, he would spend his extra day combining family and friends time with continued reskilling and learning new things.
The message is clear: The AI revolution is here, and taking an active, responsible role in reskilling is the best way to ensure you gain, and not lose, in the future of work.
