4 Skills to Outsmart AI
Wharton professor Ethan Mollick says focusing on attributes like 'taste' can help you thrive in an AI-driven job market, rather than seeking an AI-proof career
Ethan Mollick, a Wharton management professor, believes that becoming a plumber or finding an AI-proof career may not be a viable solution to avoiding job displacement due to AI. Instead, he suggests that people should focus on skills and attributes that AI cannot replicate.
Mollick has written a book called 'Co-Existence' about living with AI, in which he argues that AI models are improving faster than most people understand. He thinks that experienced workers have skills and attributes AI can't replicate, such as 'taste'.
Mollick has discussed the topic of AI and jobs in a podcast conversation with Peter Kafka. He notes that the rapid acceleration of AI models means that many skills that are useful today will be less useful in the future.
## What it means The idea that AI will displace many jobs is a concern for many people. However, Mollick's suggestion that people focus on their existing attributes and skills that AI can't replicate offers a different perspective. It implies that rather than trying to find a career that is completely safe from AI, people should focus on developing skills that are complementary to AI.
## Why it matters The stakes are high, as the increasing use of AI in the workplace could lead to significant job displacement. Mollick's ideas offer a way for people to think about how to adapt to this changing job market. By focusing on skills and attributes that AI can't replicate, people may be able to thrive in an AI-driven job market.
The key attributes that Mollick suggests people should focus on include those that are unique to humans, such as creativity, empathy, and critical thinking. By developing these skills, people can increase their chances of success in an AI-driven job market.
In addition to these attributes, Mollick suggests that people should also focus on skills that are complementary to AI, such as the ability to work with AI systems, to interpret their output, and to identify their limitations. By developing these skills, people can work effectively with AI systems and increase their productivity.
Overall, Mollick's ideas offer a positive perspective on the future of work in an AI-driven job market. Rather than seeing AI as a threat, people can see it as an opportunity to develop new skills and attributes that will enable them to thrive.
