Future Proof Yourself
Now is the time to focus on developing the skills you will need for long-term success in the 21st century. Future-proofing doesn’t happen overnight, but through consistent actions to preparing and thinking about the future.
Where is the world going: Digital Transformation
We are in an ever-changing digital world, increasingly by the day. The new realm of digital transformation includes:
- Emerging Technologies
- Digital Synergies between AI & Deep Learning
- Big Data
- Augmented & Virtual Reality
- 3D Printing
- Robotics
- Industry 4.0
- IoT
- Nanomanufacturing
- 5G
- Biology
- Quantum Computing
Machines are growing in competency
Machines can do more today than ever thought of before. They can replace human jobs that they once couldn’t. Machines can complete accounting tasks, perform surgical operations, make automated phone calls for restaurant reservations, and other repetitive manual tasks. Machines are getting smarter, but the value of human capabilities over machines is still essential for our workforce. As these jobs are being replaced by machines, humans need to adapt and develop skills to future-proof themself for their careers.
What machines are not good at right now
There are things that machines are not good at….yet:
- Creativity
- Complex Problem Solving
- Emotions like humor, compassion
- Being able to handle complex situations
- Interdependencies
- Inferring
- Writing novels and cohesive storylines
- Collaboration with other humans
- Beating a human sports team
Are you investing in yourself now to develop skills for the future?
Now is the most crucial time to develop the knowledge and skills that will set you apart from machines. Knowledge is easily accessible, through Google and other sources. Memorizing is not going to help you in the long run, as you will always have access to search engines. You need to be resourceful and take responsibility for your own learning. Ask yourself if you are being adaptable, if you are being flexible, and if you are constantly learning?
The thing that is so essential is your ability to contribute more than a machine and utilize today’s technology to be valuable. The 21st century is going to continue to change everything we once knew, not just in technology, but having these skills will future-proof you for the new world we will come to know.
"So I see it more as being future-savvy and being able to navigate and drive transformative change and disruption, being comfortable exploring the future however surprising it may end up being."
