We will, in due course, see artificial intelligence in use throughout human society. In China AI development is booming with that country planning to spend US$ one trillion to lead the world in advanced technology. What we have to hope for, and I talk as a layperson reaching out to laypeople (I woke up today in a state of WOKE) is that there will be compliance, by all countries of the world, with global international protocols that define the nature and extent of AI usage. Which, sadly, won’t be worth the paper they’re printed on. There’s always one or two countries, despite having agreed to them. And will the paperless office finally take over, as predicted thirty years ago? Not as long as we have a few trees on the land.
Let’s start on a frivolous note. Artificial intelligence already cruises through society under the highly non-mellifluous “AI.” Try saying that ten times fast and you’ll be carted off for jaw repair work. A word or term must flow gracefully off the tongue. It’s enjoyable saying “akunanzaba” in response to the unwarranted apology, or “I’m off to Corner Plaza” (no prejudicial reference to structure and constituent businesses). Unfortunately, we can’t use one of those for “AI” (lol).
Now for the serious stuff. Nothing matches the pace of the entry of AI – or whatever they’ll call it – into global society. To most of us it’s a bit scary. One of the greatest writers of popular novels is Jeffrey Archer. Now into his eighties – it’s a special group (lol) – Archer still writes by hand and someone else types it up. It shows his skills because, for practical reasons, he probably only gets a couple of attempts at a sentence, while the computer keyboard allows the writer to achieve near-perfection through many refinements. But this big further technological innovation of AI surely cannot create the passion and suspense of the classic novel and send our favourite authors into early retirement?
One area where AI is already getting popular usage is in the hiring of staff. This varies from country to country but, interestingly, the one experiencing the fastest year-on-year growth is Brazil. At the present time, and globally, the usage of AI is primarily in the screening of resumés, (that’s curriculum vitae, but in French instead of Latin) – the analysis of applications and the conduct of interviews.
I trust the following will be helpful to those applying for jobs, or at least preparing them for when AI invades comprehensively. Starting with the resumé, it would seem important to set out your AI-resistant qualities and even developing those skills into which AI cannot intrude. These might include decision-making and relationship-building, skills that require the human touch. Developing skills in AI-related fields such as cybersecurity, AI ethics, or AI training will certainly add an up-to-date increment to what you already have on offer.
Screening applicant skills in the resumé submitted is right on the chart for AI involvement. It is thus vital that the keywords in the job advertisement are included in the resumé. That was evident before AI but they are more systematically matched in modern times. It’s especially true in the upper echelons, and where terms like strategic planning, operational efficiency and change management will be expected, whether explicitly or not.
Regarding the job application itself, it is vital to ensure that AI is not used for actually compiling it. That applies also to the covering letter. Companies are now more capable of identifying AI-generated submissions. In fact, in the first world, a significant percentage of recruitment companies use applicant-tracking software to expose the so-called “fraudsters.” Some recruiters also require certification that submissions are not AI-generated, since good communication skills are vital to most occupations. It doesn’t look good if you can’t draft a job application yourself. The other side of the coin, though, is that it would not seem unreasonable to use AI as a finishing tool, to check whether keywords in the job advertisement have been overlooked in the resumé or application. And that’s not forgetting that if you were to use AI to write the cover letter, you might easily be seen repeating what others, doing likewise, have submitted.
Be ready for the AI interview. No, it is very unlikely to be some robot chanting out questions in a mid-Atlantic accent. But some companies, like Hirevue, are using AI technology in assessing answers by candidates to written and video questions put to them. So, it’s a good idea to develop the skill of talking convincingly to a screen, for when you won’t necessarily see a reaction. To some that might be a little disturbing. So it’s worthwhile practising in front of a screen then playing it back so you can tidy up the loose ends (especially if it’s your hair – lol) Practise trotting out what you consider makes you special, why you’ve chosen this employer, how you would slot into the existing corporation, or other organisation, and what you might bring to its operations. You are designing statements that help you stand out. Your oral communication skills would be very evident in such an interview and vital to any job.
As long as we continue talking to others and not waving a smartphone at the other person full of AI-generated statements and responses (it could one day happen!) oral communication skills will remain vital at the workplace. AI? Hey, I … can’t see it consuming everything.
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