Fear of the Unknown

In many countries this year elections will be held, and in many this will be a step in creating change. Some of this will be positive and other negative. Irrespective , change is always stress inducing. Another highly stressful concept is finding a career path and job security. With one of my children completing his schooling this year and needing to look at choices for a career, there's quite a bit of debating happening on what direction to go it. With that in mind, almost all the "traditional heavy hitter jobs" are under scrutiny thanks to AI.

Talk about stress inducing!

It’s easy to focus on the jobs that may be lost to AI,however it's crucial that we recognise the new opportunities this technology creates for us. AI is paving the way for new and diverse career paths and industries for us to consider.

This is not without recognising that this is still stress inducing. How can we cope and deal with these stressors in our life?

We can't stick our head in the sand and pretend that AI doesn't exist, rather we need to realise that we need firm strategies to embrace rather than fight this change. As I type this I think of a blacksmith who was once one of the busiest people in a town creating a fitting horseshoes. Then feeling like the business had come crashing down as motor vehicles started to gain popularity. We need to make a plan to not feel completely at a loss, fearful and loose hope thinking that AI will eliminate the need for us humans.

Start to embrace these 4 strategies

1. Embrace Lifelong Learning - I always say that you should never trust someone who tells you, or has the attitude of "don't tell me I already know it all" I feel that continual education and skill development are crucial. Short courses, certifications, and workshops offer opportunities for learning, maybe even about AI and related technologies or completely new skill sets.
2. Focus on Soft Skills - Developing skills that AI cannot easily replicate, such as creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence, will provide a competitive edge.I am a firm believer that one of the key things we have that AI doesn't is EQ, let amp it up.
3. Adaptability and Flexibility - I love the saying "The person with the most flexibility will control the system." Being open to change and willing to adapt to new roles and industries will be key to thriving in an AI-enhanced job market.
4. Leverage AI as a Tool - We need to understand that AI is a tool for enhancing our productivity rather than a threat. Creating this mindset can help us shift our perspective from fear to opportunity. When we understand how AI can support and augment our work we can begin to feel more comfortable with using technology.

The fact is...

The stress associated with AI taking over our jobs is understandable, however, history teaches us that technological advancements often lead to the creation of new industries and opportunities. Hindsight almost always looks back on innovations as a positive turning point in our lives. (Think digital cameras, computers, space travel or just flight.) If we choose to be on a continuous learning path, and focus on being adaptable , we will be more comfortable using AI as a tool, we can navigate this transition successfully.

I feel that the future of work, enhanced by AI, holds the promise of innovation, efficiency, and new horizons for human potential.

To pull my title as my closing thought..."Our biggest fear, is the fear of the unknown."

What are your thoughts on the concept/threat/help of AI?

Jason Sandler is a Speaker, Trainer, and Author working with people and companies to help create productive, confident, and focused people. Look for him on other social media platforms as well. www.jasonsandlerspeaks.com