The intense debate about the future of work is evident these days. On one side, there is a legitimate fear that many people will lose their jobs.

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In this labor context, which exponentially adopts the novel predictive and analytical capabilities that technology massively offers, professionals begin to envision a landscape divided between opportunity and fear for the future of employment, and how to participate in it.

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A few days ago, Apple presented a new advertising campaign for the iPad Pro, which ended up igniting the global conversation with an image of a steamroller "compacting" (or destroying) various items representative of human creativity.

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And although the intention was surely different, this message reaches consumers at a time when, for many, this threat is tangible amid the exponential growth and improvement of Generative Artificial Intelligence.

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The intense debate about the future of work is evident these days. On one side, there is a legitimate fear that many people will lose their jobs as machines and algorithms take over routine and predictable tasks.

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Recent studies indicate that 50% of job skills will change by 2030, accelerated by the adoption of AI. In particular, a study from the University of Oxford suggests that remote workers will be the first to lose their jobs in this scenario.

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On the other hand, the promise of AI lies in its ability to transform professionals into individuals with exponential skills, able to take on repetitive tasks, and increase creativity and productivity.

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According to a report by Microsoft and LinkedIn, 75% of professional workers already use AI in their work, and 85% say that AI helps them focus on their most important tasks.

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To navigate this new landscape, education and continuous training are essential: The same Microsoft and LinkedIn study also confirms that only 25% of companies plan to offer training in generative AI this year, leaving many workers without the necessary skills to adapt.

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The skills gap is evident: a study by Harvard Business Review shows that 66% of business leaders would not hire someone without AI skills, and 71% would prefer to hire a less experienced candidate with AI skills over a more experienced one without them.

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This is the new reality: Artificial intelligence will undoubtedly change the way we work, opening doors to new opportunities and challenges. The key will be to adapt, learn, and collaborate to navigate this new environment successfully, where 40% of the world's jobs will be impacted by Large Language Models by 2027, according to Accenture.

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Of course, everyone experiences - and accepts - it differently, that is what our human condition is about. In my case, it is an intense relationship... based on studying the profound transformations it will have in the business context with people from all over the world and with profiles as numerical as humanistic.

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But also witnessing and working on the different paths, uses, and solutions that are mobilizing the resources and competitive strategy of the main consumer goods companies towards an application where artificial intelligence will be the protagonist.

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From both perspectives, I share some practical advice (for navigating in times of change):

Improvement of daily tasks: Analyze daily activities and determine which can be improved with AI. Tools that summarize meetings and handle emails, freeing up time for more strategic tasks. According to Microsoft's AI usage report, intensive Teams users summarized the equivalent of a full day of meetings last March using Copilot.

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Stay updated: Participating in courses and workshops on AI is crucial. Platforms like LinkedIn Learning have seen a 160% increase in the use of courses designed to develop AI skills, according to the same report. Believe me, classes at Oxford always start with the same question: 'What's new today in the world of Artificial Intelligence?'

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Experiment frequently: The most advanced AI users are those who constantly experiment with new ways of using the technology. According to Microsoft, so-called "power users" are 68% more likely to frequently experiment with different ways of using AI.

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Protect data: Ensure the use of Artificial Intelligence complies with data security and privacy standards to protect sensitive information. According to LinkedIn, 78% of AI users are bringing their own AI tools to work, putting proprietary information at risk.

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Prepare for new opportunities: Being proactive in seeking new opportunities arising with AI is crucial. Business leaders report a 323% increase in hiring AI technical talent over the past eight years. Indeed, 12% of recruiters are already creating new roles specifically related to the use of generative AI.

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I close with Felipe Thomaz, my AI professor at Oxford, who spoke in class about AI Washing. Similar to greenwashing, it refers to companies overselling their knowledge and presence in AI to remain relevant and competitive in the market. It is also crucial to be critical and aware, evaluating the true implementation and effectiveness of AI, rather than being swayed by the noise.

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Time for change. There's no turning back.

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