I feel like I’m regularly having conversations with people about AI.

Have you noticed a lot of people have opinions but haven’t done much research? (Shocker… right?)

I enrolled in a course from Vanderbilt University on Prompt Engineering, about a year ago, so that I could get a bit of general knowledge about ChatGPT and see how to use this tool for myself.

It’s been incredible! Here’s a few things that I’ve already used ChatGPT for:

  1. Created a 5-day-a-week gym routine that avoids shoulder exercises (Still rehabbing my right wing, ouch!)
  2. Created a “Choose Your Own Adventure” story game to learn how to speak Greek (Kaliméra!)
  3. Generated ideas for blog posts
  4. Fixed grammar and punctuation, and “leveled up” good ideas by asking ChatGPT to “make this better”
  5. Wrote a song and had the computer generate the lyrics

I’ve had a ton of fun using the platform and know that I’m just scratching the surface of what this technology is capable of, but my head is exploding with new ideas and possibilities.

“…It’s the end of the world as we know it…”

One of my favorite comments about generative AI is that “…it’s the end of the world as we know it…” (I usually respond by singing, “That’s great it starts with an earthquake…‘)

Sure, things will change, but they always do… (I just found a wind-up disposable Kodak camera from high school the other day… it’s probably only a few years younger than that R.E.M. Song, I think…)

Influential U‘s CEO, John Patterson has recently announced our theme for the upcoming Accelerator Workshops – “Practicing the Human Touch”. (Here’s a link to his 10-minute recording on the topic.)

John echoes the opinions of futurist Bernard Marr in Forbes magazine- that in our work and careers, our interpersonal abilities are highlighted now more than ever before. (Generative AI And The Future Of Jobs – Forbes Article)

Patterson has laid out Five Human-Centric Skills to Develop in 2024 and these will be the premise of our first quarter accelerators. (Click here for more information including cities/dates)

Those people who are looking to increase their value and get ahead in the marketplace do well to consider their skills in the following areas:

  1. Nuanced Human Communication – AI mimics human language, but subtle meanings carry much weight in communication. How well do you pick up on situational and complex social cues?
  2. Critical Thinking – Are you able to tell what’s true and what’s fiction? Are you able to question authority, root out biases, or call out mistakes in a professional manner when the emotional water is boiling?
  3. Cultural and Diversity Awareness – We live in a globalized world. Those who can recognize and engage in culturally diverse environments will have more opportunities. While computers may be able to mimic these traits, only humans can genuinely cultivate environments for all participants to enjoy genuine inclusion.
  4. Teamwork and Collaboration – AI may be able to optimize processes, but it cannot truly recreate the human ability for teamwork and collaboration. Team skills ensure that we leverage each person’s talents in a uniquely human way.
  5. Understanding Context and Adaptability – Simply put, humans adapt to unforeseen circumstances. Humans can account for the state of any exchange, but only if they are practiced in transactional competence.

“…It’s the end of the world as we know it…”

So is it really the end of the world as we know it?

Will AI change how we complete tasks and how we work?

Absolutely.

But if you have the ability to blend emotional intelligence with transactional competence, you’ll be singing right next to me…

“…and I feel fine…”

-j

(P.S. Here’s a Link to R.E.M.’s music video for “It’s The End Of The World As We Know It And I Feel Fine” so you don’t have that song stuck in your head all day…)

(P.S.S – Link to John Patterson’s Original Article – “Practicing the Human Touch“)