Everyone’s talking about it: AI and Large Language Models (LLM) like ChatGPT and Gemini. Schools are trying to figure out how (if!) to let students use it; businesses are harnessing its powers; and critics are warning about the dangers of relying even more on technology. As AI tools are growing smarter by the day, you might be wondering: are robots going to steal all the jobs?

Here’s The Deal: AI is definitely changing the workforce. Repetitive tasks like data entry or basic customer service are increasingly being automated. But that doesn’t mean all jobs are doomed. In fact, AI is creating entirely new fields–and there are lots of tasks that it still cannot replace.

If you want to be ready for these new career paths, the key is to be prepared. Know some ways that AI has already proven itself to be beneficial.

Smarter Tools: AI-powered tools can help you work faster and more efficiently, freeing you up for more creative tasks. They can crunch numbers, return tailored search results, adapt the tone of your writing, and aggregate research.

Effective Learning: AI can streamline your learning process by explaining a complex concept in plain language or giving you a concise summary of a large amount of text. This can help you be more efficient and effective as you work on professional development or certification classes, which often lack personalized instruction.

New Opportunities: The rise of AI opens doors to exciting new career paths you might not have considered before. These include developing and managing AI systems, creating training data, developing prompts, or working alongside AI to solve complex problems.

So, instead of fearing robots, focus on developing the skills that will make you stand out in the future workforce. Here are some in-demand skills to consider:

Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving: AI is great at crunching data, but humans are still the masters of creative solutions.

Communication & Collaboration: The ability to work effectively with others, both human and machine, will be crucial.

Adaptability & Lifelong Learning: The world is changing fast, so being open to new things and continuously learning will be your superpower.

The future of work is all about humans and AI working together. Embrace the change, develop your skills, and you’ll be ready to thrive.