Future-Proofing Your Career in the Age of Gen AI: Navigating Artificial Intelligence Job Prospects

Staying relevant and ahead of the curve is more a necessity than an option as workplaces become more competitive. Generative AI is beginning to transform the way people work, with evidence of increased efficiency and innovation – and futureproofing your career means understanding the basics of Generative AI and how it can value-add to your job. 

Here are five tips to stay relevant amidst the growing scope of AI job prospects:

Learn the Essential Tools of the Generative AI Trade

As Generative AI becomes more sophisticated, it's imperative to be familiar with the basic tools such as ChatGPT, Bard and other tools, at the most fundamental level. Embracing the fundamental tools will empower you to work seamlessly with these technologies, should your organisation deploy Generative AI platforms relevant to your industry. For example, administration departments might adopt Generative AI tools to streamline workflows and enhance your processes. The HR department, for instance, could utilise AI-driven recruitment tools to analyse applicant resumes and craft interview questions, saving time and improving candidate matches. 

Develop Gen AI Skills Across Business Sectors

Generative AI is not confined to IT - Its impact already spans across sectors like administration, human resources, and marketing. With its impact expected to be felt in more sectors, it is wise to expand your skill set to include the effective writing of prompts, for instance, to guide the Gen AI model towards producing the output you want. 

Embrace Collaboration Between Humans and AI

The future workplace is not about humans versus machines – Generative AI and new technology will not replace jobs. Instead, the technology needs a ‘co-pilot’ to ensure the accuracy and to analyse the nuances of the output. Hence, it’s about collaboration where human intelligence is synergised with the capabilities of Generative AI. For instance, in product development, there is a need for skilled AI professionals who can develop AI systems trained on diverse datasets and guide machine learning models for specific industries or specialisations, with ethical controls built in early. And on the user front, while data analytics for marketing activities can be quickly unpacked to identify trends, it will not completely replace human input to craft creative narratives and strategies based on those trends.

Taking a step further, to uphold explainability and transparency in the use of Generative AI, human reviewers would be integrated into the judging process of the authenticity and quality of the generated content. For instance, while many firms focus on metrics like Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) or Structural Similarity Index (SSIM) when it comes to an objective assessment of AI-generated videos, they should be complemented with qualitative reviews. 

Constantly Upskill and Adapt to AI Developments

As more companies adopt Generative AI, the artificial intelligence job market of the future will demand that professionals stay updated with the latest developments. Today, there is demand for AI Business Professionals who can determine practical applications of AI for companies and are able to measure tangible impacts. True to this demand, currently there are webinars, courses and many online resources and workshops available. A commitment to lifelong learning will ensure that you remain agile and adaptable in an ever-changing professional landscape.

Build Your Personal Brand and Reputation as a Generative AI Expert

An opportunity that Generative AI brings is to brand yourself as an expert in this new field. With the Prompt Engineer emerging as a new job, skilling up to become a prompt expert to augment your current role can give your career a boost. Besides upskilling, you could also engage in online conversations such as forums, LinkedIn and industry groups to position and brand yourself as a thought leader in Generative AI in your industry. As AI becomes ubiquitous, understanding AI governance will be vital in anticipation of impending global AI regulations currently being considered by governments worldwide in 2023.

Thriving in the Evolving Job Market: Adapting to AI and Future Jobs

As the adage goes, when the going gets tough, the tough gets going. The mantra for career success in the age of Generative AI, as it is when faced with any new technology, is adaptability. A curiosity and a willingness to learn and try are the basic building blocks on which you can move towards futureproofing your careers. By embracing change and using the five tips above, you can actively navigate and contribute to the workplace of the future.

Be among the first to become a Certified AI Business Professional - attend a course that teaches you what it takes to harness AI in today’s digital economy. Want to take it to the next level? Take our Advanced Certificate in Generative AI, Ethics and Data Protection.