When it comes to AI, I’m right there with Jimmy Cliff’s line. We’re getting clarity on the skills needed to effectively collaborate with AI.
Since generative AI hit the scene in November 2022, my colleague Adam Riley and I have been mapping the shifts AI is bringing to the workplace, particularly the skills knowledge workers, consultants, and insight professionals will need. We’ve gained invaluable insights from conversations with colleagues through our talks, presentations, and engagements with organisations, networks, and agencies worldwide.
We were thrilled to have some of our work recognised with a nomination for Best Paper at the recent ESOMAR Congress in Athens – a sign that we’re onto something with our approach. And as we look forward to speaking at the WIN Global Conference on October 11th and the SAMRA/ESOMAR event on November 7th, we’re continuing to refine our ideas. I hope you can join us at one or both of these events.
The message on the skills needed to collaborate with AI is becoming clearer as more of us adapt and find innovative ways to work with AI. Let’s recap three core skill sets that knowledge workers and insight professionals must develop to thrive alongside AI.
1. Human-centric big picture sense-making
AI offers vast, eclectic sources of information and the capacity to navigate unstructured data. Our role shifts from classic data analysis to abductive reasoning – finding patterns in complex layers of evidence. We’re the ‘wide-angle lens’ that pieces together the overall story, identifying connections and implications for our clients. People who see the big picture and can weave narratives from complexity will be indispensable.
2. Making the audacious creative leap
We’ve learned that AI can be our creative sparring partner, pushing our ideas further. It’s all about mastering prompt engineering to unlock unique perspectives. With AI offering baseline creativity, we must elevate our contributions with those last-mile insights that only human understanding can bring. This means embracing the creative potential of AI and working with it to refine our ideas. I relish the daily prompts with ChatGPT-4, knowing that with energetic input, it helps spark fresh, unexpected insights.
3. Authentically communicating stories that drive change
Whether presenting to stakeholders or guiding teams in this fast-paced AI era, storytelling remains essential. Effective communication is about structure, empathy, and tapping into the emotions that drive change. Here, AI offers techniques and ideas, but adding our human touch – empathy, humour, and experience – gives these stories life. Use the power of ‘mental time travel’ – drawing on past experiences and projecting them forward to build a future we want.
Returning to Jimmy Cliff, the fundamentals for AI collaboration are becoming clear: navigate complexity, hone your unique creative strengths, and tell authentic stories – all while leveraging AI’s capabilities.
For those interested in learning more, we have a book coming out soon, The Art of Collaborating with AI: The Power of Diverse Thinking, published by Routledge. It explores the skills needed for the AI era. We believe the future belongs to modern polymaths who can see the bigger picture, add creativity that resonates, and tell stories that inspire.
In the meantime, check out our Substack, Polymathmind where we explore the nuances of AI. And if you’d like to discuss cultivating these skills within your team, we would be delighted to help. We’re developing interdisciplinary frameworks to help humans and AI collaborate effectively, identifying where each excels. Let’s start the conversation on equipping your team to thrive in the AI era.
David VL Smith and Adam Riley