Challenging the unrivalled growth of AI in the workplace and education
The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the job market is undeniable, and its influence continues to grow at a rapid pace. However, amidst the transformations brought about by AI, it is crucial to recognise that certain skills and qualities inherent to humans remain invaluable. In this short read, we will explore the evolving landscape of work in the age of AI and shed light on what this means for learners and apprenticeship providers.
Contrary to some misconceptions, AI is not poised to overtake soft skills such as creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. While AI can replicate certain tasks, it has yet to match the level of human creativity and adaptability demanded by many industries. Therefore, employers are continuing to seek out individuals who not only possess technical proficiency but also excel in interacting with others and navigating dynamic environments.
AI in education
While AI has undeniably made significant advancements in various tasks within the workforce, it also carries a downside specifically within the education sector. Its continuous growth has left academic institutions grappling with the challenges posed by plagiarism and AI assistance in essay production. This raises questions about the value of traditional knowledge-based qualifications compared to practical assessments. Exams and assessments that evaluate practical skills may gain higher regard as they are less susceptible to AI assistance. Practical qualifications that require hands-on experience and technical proficiency will likely hold significant value in the future job market.
AI for apprenticeship providers
In the face of the increasing use of AI and automation, it is vital for apprenticeship providers to equip students with the skills needed to adapt and thrive in this environment whilst maintaining the most important tool: Human and social interaction!
Preserving human interaction in apprenticeships offers significant advantages, as it reduces feelings of isolation and is proven to increase overall performance. Apprenticeship providers and Education providers should continue to create an environment where learners actively engage in human interaction, the process of getting to know one another, dealing with not only conversations or discussion but involving emotions and feelings. This builds the learners soft skill abilities needed to interact not only in the work place but also in the world around them.
AI in employability
As many large organisations turn to AI in the interview process, designing the interview questions/format and increasing to AI video interviews. A study in Korea in 2018 found that the interview process was found to be better than traditional evaluation procedures in procedural fairness, objectivity and consistency of algorithms. However, some applicants were dissatisfied about being assessed by AI. Digital divide and automated inequality were recurring themes in this study. AI’s ability has dramatically improved in the last 5 years and AI could be used to provide personal profiling of candidates based on social media posts, LinkedIn and internet articles. There are already tools out there that have incorporated behavioural tools such as DISC and The Big Five to measure personality traits with or without the candidate consent. AI based tools could also find language in a candidate’s social-media profiles indicating he or she has a medical condition, including depression. Organisational psychologists have argued that it would be unfair and possibly illegal for employers to use this information to make hiring decisions, however once identified, can hirers be truly objective?
Despite the cautious approach to AI, there are many potential benefits to keep an eye out for, such as:
AI tailored learning: AI can help tailor educational content and experiences to individual learners, resulting in better outcomes.
Promote collaboration: By nurturing a collaborative environment, training providers can establish AI as a valuable asset that complements human expertise.
AI generated jobs: With its predicted longevity, the ability to interrogate and use AI will be a useful skill to learn for the modern workplace.
By embracing the opportunities that AI brings apprenticeship and employability providers can continually help learners/customers to develop their skill set, and in turn help transform their chosen careers and remain valuable in an evolving job market.
While we are seeing notable progress, even with our everyday use such as the emerge of Google’s new AI tool ‘Bard’, it’s important to stay vigilant and not solely rely on the information generated, so make sure you fact-check your own research.
How can CogniSoft help?
In this new era of AI, CogniSoft is at the forefront, ready to assist you. With over 35 years of experience in the skills and employability sectors, we specialise in providing comprehensive solutions such as Client-Tracking, Case & Learner Management Systems. Our tailored software solutions are designed to be feature-rich and user-friendly, streamlining administrative processes. By using our systems, you can benefit from detailed reporting and robust data management, enabling you to create efficiencies and showcase the impact of your work.
Contact us today to see how we can help on 0161 777 2900 or email us at sales@cognisoft.co.uk
